Biodiversity: Who cares?

What do you think biodiversity means?

Bio = Bio diversity What does “ Bio ” mean?

Diversity = Variety What does “ Diversity ” mean?

Which has more biodiversity? AB

A B Which do you like better?

What is Biodiversity? The variety of life! genesspeciesecosystems

Biodiversity 16 June 2010Biodiversity.ppt8 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

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

Natural Capital: Major Components of the Earth’s 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 Functional diversity: variety in the processes and energy flow in an ecosystem Functional diversity: variety in the processes and energy flow in an ecosystem Genetic Diversity: Variety in traits/genes in a species Genetic Diversity: Variety in traits/genes in a species

There are 4 components of biodiversity 1. Diversity of genes Chihuahuas, beagles, and rottweilers are all dogs—but they're not the same because their genes are different. Chihuahua Beagle Rottweilers

Benefits of Biodiversity Natural Resources Natural Resources Food Food Medicine Medicine Clean water Clean water Clean air Clean air Oxygen Oxygen Habitat & breeding areas for wildlife, … Habitat & breeding areas for wildlife, … Aesthetic and cultural benefits Aesthetic and cultural benefits Ideas Ideas 16 June 2010Biodiversity.ppt13

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

Chinese Tallow Tree Invasive Species in our area

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.ppt16

Threats to Biodiversity Extinction and population reductions Extinction and population reductions Pollution Pollution Climate change Climate change Invasive species Invasive species 16 June 2010Biodiversity.ppt17

Sustainability a population of plants, animals and other living organisms can continue to interact and reproduce indefinitely (forever) a population of plants, animals and other living organisms can continue to interact and reproduce indefinitely (forever) ensure that we meet the needs of present generations and future generations. ensure that we meet the needs of present generations and future generations. 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.

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.

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

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 sustainability Higher/more biodiversity = more sustainability Lower/less biodiversity = less sustainability Lower/less biodiversity = less sustainability High biodiversity in an ecosystem means that there is a great variety of genes and species in that ecosystem = greater stability High biodiversity in an ecosystem means that there is a great variety of genes and species in that ecosystem = greater stability

Protecting Biodiversity 16 June 2010Biodiversity.ppt22 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

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

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.ppt26

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

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

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.