Biodiversity

Bio = Life Bio = Life Diverse = consisting of different things Diverse = consisting of different things Refers to the variety of species and ecosystems on earth and the ecological processes of which they are a part of. Or… describes the variety of and relationships between all life

Types of diversity include: 1) Genetic Diversity – differences at the genetic level within species and individual plants and animals 2) Species Diversity – the abundance of differences among species (plants, amphibians, fish, reptiles, birds, mammals) 3) Ecosystem Diversity – the abundance of differences among ecosystems (rivers, forests, wetlands, deserts, coral reefs)

All types of diversity are very important for healthy environments All types of diversity are very important for healthy environments There are million species on Earth, but only ~1.9 million have been identified There are million species on Earth, but only ~1.9 million have been identified Canada has ~ species but there could be > Canada has ~ species but there could be >

So how many are there? Invertebrates – Invertebrates – Plants – Plants – Fungi – Fungi – Viruses and Bacteria – Viruses and Bacteria – Vertebrates : Vertebrates : – Fish – Reptiles – – Birds – Amphibians – – Mammals – Other – (The Future of Life)

Most of the world’s biodiversity is located in tropical regions near the equator Tropical rainforests only cover ~6% of the Earth’s surface but they Are home to ~ 50% of all known species of organisms

Most of Canada’s biodiversity is located in lower latitudes and in large tracts of forest and riparian zones (near water) Most of Canada’s biodiversity is located in lower latitudes and in large tracts of forest and riparian zones (near water)

Why should people care about biodiversity? Biodiversity Healthy Ecosystem Healthy People Healthy People

A large amount of species contribute toward life-sustaining planetary process: -providing oxygen -Filtering and purifying water -Breaking down wastes and toxins -Pollinating plants -Creating productive soils -Medicine (70% of pharmaceuticals used come from or are derived from natural products)

3000 antibiotics come from microorganisms 3000 antibiotics come from microorganisms Canada’s 138 native tree species have at least 40 medicinal uses Canada’s 138 native tree species have at least 40 medicinal uses Aesthetics Aesthetics Spiritual Spiritual cultural cultural

In 1997 an international team of economists and environmental scientists and geographers put a dollar amount on all the ecosystem services provided to humanity for free by the living natural environment: > $33 trillion

Threats Unfortunately there are many threats to biodiversity both globally, regionally and locally Unfortunately there are many threats to biodiversity both globally, regionally and locally Life in any form needs a home (habitat) which includes biotic (food, mates, vegetation) and abiotic components (water, soil, shelter) Life in any form needs a home (habitat) which includes biotic (food, mates, vegetation) and abiotic components (water, soil, shelter)

When we lose habitat or quality of habitat is degraded species become at risk When we lose habitat or quality of habitat is degraded species become at risk Human activity is causing rapid deterioration in biodiversity Human activity is causing rapid deterioration in biodiversity

The loss of critical wildlife habitat: Loss of Habitat Agriculture Expanding human settlement mining forestry DamsIrrigation Invasive species pollution

HIPPO H – Habitat destruction I – invasive species P – pollution P – population O – overharvesting

Examples of what Biodiversity does for us: NYC NYC Atlanta Atlanta

p )What is the intrinsic value of biodiversity? 2)Using the map on p. 440, What areas of Canada is biodiversity most at risk? Suggest 2 reasons for this. 3)What is fragmentation? How is it a threat to biodiversity?