Biodiversity: Who cares?

Which do you like better? A B

A B

AB

What do you think biodiversity means?

Bio = Bio diversity What does “ Bio ” mean?

Diversity = Variety What does “ Diversity ” mean?

Biodiversity ALL organisms in an area ALL organisms in an area More kinds of organisms = greater biodiversity More kinds of organisms = greater biodiversity High biodiversity = healthy, sustainable environment High biodiversity = healthy, sustainable environment The essential interdependence of all living things The essential interdependence of all living things

Scientists have identified more than 2 million species. Tens of millions -- remain unknown The tremendous variety of life on Earth is made possible by complex interactions among all living things including microscopic species like algae and mites.

There are 3 components of biodiversity 1. Variety of genes Chihuahuas, beagles, and rottweilers are all dogs—but they're not the same because their genes are different. Chihuahua Beagle Rottweilers

2. Variety of species For example, monkeys, dragonflies, and meadow beauties are all different species. Saki Monkey Golden SkimmerMeadow Beauty There are 3 components of biodiversity

3. Variety of ecosystems Prairies, Ponds, and tropical rain forests are all ecosystems. Each one is different, with its own set of species living in it. Paines Prairie Hoh Rain Forest Florida Sand hill Pond There are 3 components of biodiversity

Components of biodiversity Species diversity: the number and abundance of species Species diversity: the number and abundance of species Ecosystem diversity: The variety of ecosystems found in a place or on earth Ecosystem diversity: The variety of ecosystems found in a place or on earth Genetic Diversity: Variety in traits/genes in a species Genetic Diversity: Variety in traits/genes in a species

A B Which has more cultural diversity?

Biodiversity 16 June 2010Biodiversity.ppt15 Where is the biodiversity Where is the biodiversity Everywhere Everywhere Every continent and habitat has unique life forms Every continent and habitat has unique life forms Concentrated in the tropics Concentrated in the tropics Panama: > 500 species of breeding birds Panama: > 500 species of breeding birds Arctic: species Arctic: species Dense concentrations Dense concentrations

Which has more biodiversity? AB

Should we be concerned about biodiversity? What we know: The Earth is losing species at an alarming rate Some scientists estimate that as many as 3 species per hour are going extinct and 20,000 extinctions occur each year. Some scientists estimate that as many as 3 species per hour are going extinct and 20,000 extinctions occur each year. when species of plants and animals go extinct, many other species are affected. when species of plants and animals go extinct, many other species are affected.

Biodiversity has Intrinsic Value Intrinsic Value = Something that has value in and of itself

Biodiversity also has utilitarian Value Utilitarian Value = the value something has as a means to another’s end. Utilitarian values include: Goods Services Information

Benefits of Biodiversity Food Food Medicine Medicine Clean water Clean water Clean air Clean air Oxygen Oxygen Space for living (habitat) Space for living (habitat) Aesthetic/cultural benefits Aesthetic/cultural benefits Natural resources Natural resources Inspiration for creating Inspiration for creating 16 June 2010Biodiversity.ppt20

Natural Resources Vital economic natural resources Vital economic natural resources Renewable Renewable Forests (plants, wildlife) Forests (plants, wildlife) Soils Soils Fresh water (lakes, rivers) Fresh water (lakes, rivers) Wildlife and fisheries Wildlife and fisheries Rangeland Rangeland Nonrenewable Nonrenewable Minerals Minerals Fossil Fuels Fossil Fuels 16 June 2010Biodiversity.ppt21

Benefits of Biodiversity New/variety of food sources New/variety of food sources – Grains, fruits, vegetables, meat, fish 16 June 2010Biodiversity.ppt22

Benefits of Biodiversity Medicines Medicines Plants Plants Jellyfish & sea anemones Jellyfish & sea anemones Nudibranchs Nudibranchs Marine slugs Marine slugs 16 June 2010Biodiversity.ppt23

What is Biodiversity? The variety of life! genesspeciesecosystems

Threats to biodiversity Habitat destruction Invasive (Introduced) Species Population Growth Pollution Over-harvesting = Over exploitation ~HIPPO~

Threats to Biodiversity Extinction and population reductions Extinction and population reductions Hunting and overharvesting Hunting and overharvesting Tiger Tiger Dodo Dodo Whales Whales Sharks Sharks Habitat loss Habitat loss 16 June 2010Biodiversity.ppt26

Threats to Biodiversity Extinction and population reductions Extinction and population reductions Pollution Pollution Climate change Climate change Invasive species Invasive species 16 June 2010Biodiversity.ppt27

Chinese Tallow Tree Invasive Species in our area

Sustainability Definition: when a population of plants, animals and other living organisms can continue to interact and reproduce indefinitely… it is the capacity to endure, to continue on. Definition: when a population of plants, animals and other living organisms can continue to interact and reproduce indefinitely… it is the capacity to endure, to continue on.

The more links in a food web, the more stable and sustainableit is. The more links in a food web, the more stable and sustainableit is.

What is sustainable use? To use natural resources at a rate that the Earth can renew them. To use natural resources at a rate that the Earth can renew them.

Threats to Sustainability The more organism that can fulfill a particular niche (energy role) in an ecosystem the more likely it is to sustain a threat. DiseaseEnvironmental change Limited resourcesHuman disturbance Catastrophic eventsInvasive Species

Sustainable Use of Biodiversity To use biodiversity in a sustainable manner means to use natural resources at a rate that the Earth can renew them. To use biodiversity in a sustainable manner means to use natural resources at a rate that the Earth can renew them. What kinds of natural resources are we talking about here?

Biodiversity and Sustainability The biodiversity of an ecosystem contributes to the sustainability of that ecosystem. The biodiversity of an ecosystem contributes to the sustainability of that ecosystem. Higher/more biodiversity = more sustainable Higher/more biodiversity = more sustainable Lower/less biodiversity = less sustainable Lower/less biodiversity = less sustainable High biodiversity in an ecosystem means that there is a great variety of genes and species in that ecosystem. High biodiversity in an ecosystem means that there is a great variety of genes and species in that ecosystem.

What is Biodiversity? The variety of life! genesspeciesecosystems

Sustainable Use of Biodiversity To use biodiversity in a sustainable manner means to use natural resources at a rate that the Earth can renew them. To use biodiversity in a sustainable manner means to use natural resources at a rate that the Earth can renew them. It is a way to ensure that we meet the needs of present generations and future generations. It is a way to ensure that we meet the needs of present generations and future generations.

Are we part of these ecosystems? Think food webs!!!!!!!!!!!!! YES!

The more links in a food web, the more stable and sustainableit is. The more links in a food web, the more stable and sustainableit is.

Protecting Biodiversity 16 June 2010Biodiversity.ppt39 How can we protect biodiversity How can we protect biodiversity Stop overharvesting Stop overharvesting Sustainable yield Sustainable yield Hunting & fishing laws (every state ?) Hunting & fishing laws (every state ?) in developing nations ? in developing nations ? Protect habitat Protect habitat Refuges, parks, preserves Refuges, parks, preserves Endangered Species Act Endangered Species Act Clean Air & Water Act Clean Air & Water Act Stop over grazing Stop over grazing

Protecting Biodiversity 16 June 2010Biodiversity.ppt40 Endangered Species Act (1973) Endangered Species Act (1973) Listing of “endangered” and “threatened” species Listing of “endangered” and “threatened” species Restricts development of habitats Restricts development of habitats Captive breeding programs Captive breeding programs Release of captive bred stocks to enhance or recover wild populations. Release of captive bred stocks to enhance or recover wild populations. ndangered/ ndangered/ ndangered/ ndangered/

Protecting Biodiversity Endangered Species Act (1973) Endangered Species Act (1973) Goal to “recover” species so they no longer need protection under ESA Goal to “recover” species so they no longer need protection under ESA Implements U.S. participation in CITES Implements U.S. participation in CITES “Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species” “Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species” Prohibits trade in listed species Prohibits trade in listed species whole organisms whole organisms parts: skins, bones, teeth, flowers, leaves, etc. parts: skins, bones, teeth, flowers, leaves, etc. Other laws: Other laws: Marine Mammal Protection Act Marine Mammal Protection Act Migratory Bird Treaty Act Migratory Bird Treaty Act Anadromous Fish Conservation Act Anadromous Fish Conservation Act etc. etc. 16 June 2010Biodiversity.ppt41

Protecting Biodiversity Refuges, parks, preserves Refuges, parks, preserves How big should refuges be? How big should refuges be? Where should they be? Where should they be? McArthur & Wilson “Theory of Island Biogeography” McArthur & Wilson “Theory of Island Biogeography” colonization rate colonization rate extinction rate (local) extinction rate (local) predicts number of species predicts number of species 16 June 2010Biodiversity.ppt42

Formative Assessment Examine the two food webs below. Make 3 claims about why one of the food webs below is less sustainable than the other. Support your claims with explanation as well as evidence from the food webs.

What can you do? As a group brainstorm a list of things YOU can do to protect biodiversity!