1. Biodiversity

2. Biodiversity Big Ideas The huge diversity of life on Earth is critical to all species. The huge diversity of life on Earth is critical to all species. Some factors about species make them prone to extinction. Some factors about species make them prone to extinction. Human activities are causing large numbers of species to go extinct. Human activities are causing large numbers of species to go extinct.

3. What is biodiversity? How many species live on Earth? How many species live on Earth? Explain the importance of biodiversity. Explain the importance of biodiversity. Terms: biodiversity, ecotourism Terms: biodiversity, ecotourism

5. Biodiversity Biodiversity: the number of different species in a given area Biodiversity: the number of different species in a given area Tropical rain forests Tropical rain forests What factors lead to biodiversity? What factors lead to biodiversity?

6. About 1.7 million species are known Estimated to be greater than 10 million Why so many unknown?

7. Biodiversity Which species rule the world?

8. Did You Know? In general, biodiversity increases toward the equator. Did You Know? In general, biodiversity increases toward the equator.

9. Who cares about Biodiversity? A Variety of Answers We Care ! We Care !

10. Benefits of Biodiversity Genetic Diversity Key To Survival Genetic Diversity Key To Survival Small isolated populations unlikely to survive Small isolated populations unlikely to survive Genetic mutations from inbreeding can occurGenetic mutations from inbreeding can occur More diversity = more likely to survive More diversity = more likely to survive

11. Why is genetic diversity important? Cavendish banana “ The fungus Fusarium oxysporum wiped out the previous species of bananas (the Gros Michel) in the 1950s. Now it’s back, having evolved to be able to take on the previously resistant “back-up” species of banana — the Cavendish — that replaced the superior Gros Michel banana after it was wiped out. “Fusarium oxysporum

12. Benefits of Biodiversity: Ecosystem Services Intact environments provide ecosystem services Intact environments provide ecosystem services water purification and pest controlwater purification and pest control High biodiversity increases stability of communities and ecosystems High biodiversity increases stability of communities and ecosystems enables them to perform services.enables them to perform services. Stable ecosystems are resistant and resilient Stable ecosystems are resistant and resilient

13. Benefits of Biodiversity Medical, Industrial, Agricultural Uses Medical, Industrial, Agricultural Uses Food, cloths, shelter, chemicals and medicine often comes from variety of organisms Food, cloths, shelter, chemicals and medicine often comes from variety of organisms See Table 1 page 243

14. Medical Medicine: Organisms contain compounds that are useful for treating disease Medicine: Organisms contain compounds that are useful for treating disease Did You Know? Of the 150 most prescribed drugs in the United States, 118 originated in nature. Did You Know? Of the 150 most prescribed drugs in the United States, 118 originated in nature. The yew tree, an original source of Taxol, a cancer-fighting drug

15. Agricultural Humans benefit every time we eat Humans benefit every time we eat Most foods come from areas of high biodiversity Most foods come from areas of high biodiversity

16. Benefits of Biodiversity Ethics, Aesthetics and Recreation Ethics, Aesthetics and Recreation Moral, religious purposes for all species Moral, religious purposes for all species Personal enjoyment Personal enjoyment Dolphin Tour Off NJ Beaches

17. Benefits of Biodiversity Ecotourism: tourisms that supports conservation Ecotourism: tourisms that supports conservation Wildlife, birding, wilderness hiking Wildlife, birding, wilderness hiking People make money by having people view wildlife People make money by having people view wildlife

18. Review How many species live on Earth? How many species live on Earth? Explain why biodiversity is important. Explain why biodiversity is important.

20. Biodiversity at Risk What does it mean when a species is threatened or endangered? What does it mean when a species is threatened or endangered? What makes some species more prone to extinction? What makes some species more prone to extinction? What are the largest threats to biodiversity? What are the largest threats to biodiversity? Which areas are likely to have high biodiversity? Which areas are likely to have high biodiversity?

21. Biodiversity has increased over time, but mass extinctions are also natural events (5 major events) Each time, more than 1/5 of all families and 1/2 of all species have gone extint How do we get this data?

22. Extinctions Species gone forever Species gone forever NORMAL NORMAL Mass Extinction: short period of time when large number of species go extinct (65 MYA) Mass Extinction: short period of time when large number of species go extinct (65 MYA) Currently in a mass extinction…caused by humans Currently in a mass extinction…caused by humans Rapid climate change Rapid climate change

23. Biodiversity at Risk Current extinction rate 100 to 1000 times greater than the natural background rate In 2009, 1321 species in the U.S. were classified as endangered or threatened.

24. Extinctions Certain traits make some species more vulnerable: Small populations Small populations Specialized Specialized Niche Habitat Need large range Need large range Migrate Migrate Valuable to humans Valuable to humans

25. Species squeezed into smaller and smaller fragmented habitat

28. Current Extinctions Endangered Species: is likely to go extinct if actions not taken Endangered Species: is likely to go extinct if actions not taken Threatened: population declining and likely to become endangered Threatened: population declining and likely to become endangered

29. Current Extinctions TNC (The Nature Conservancy) estimates 1/3rd of 21,000 identified U.S. animal and plant species are vulnerable. 30,000 of the world’s species and 1,200 in U.S. are officially endangered.

30. Types of endangered species worldwide

31. How do humans cause extinctions?  “HIPPO”  Habitat destruction  Invasive species  Population (humans) growth  Pollution  Overharvesting

32. Habitat Loss/Fragmentation

35. Habitat Fragmentation Habitat fragmentation: Patches of suitable habitat surrounded by unsuitable habitat In general, larger habitat fragments can support greater biodiversity than smaller fragments

36. Humans Causing Extinctions Habitat Destruction causes 75-80% Habitat Destruction causes 75-80% Large creatures need a lot of land Large creatures need a lot of land Invasive Species: exotic species not native to area can destroy an ecosystem Invasive Species: exotic species not native to area can destroy an ecosystem

37. Invasive Species Invasive species can out-compete and displace native species

38. Invasive Species CA Agricultural Checkpoints

39. Humans Causing Extinction Over-harvesting excessive hunting Over-harvesting excessive hunting (bison in U.S., fish, passenger pigeon)(bison in U.S., fish, passenger pigeon) Poaching: illegal hunting Poaching: illegal hunting Common in poor countries for food, medicines, incomeCommon in poor countries for food, medicines, income Pollution air, water, land Pollution air, water, land DDT, drugs, chemicalsDDT, drugs, chemicals

40. Causes of Extinction Climate Change Increasingly becoming a factor in biodiversity loss Increasingly becoming a factor in biodiversity loss Unlike the other factors, climate change has a potential global effect on biodiversity Unlike the other factors, climate change has a potential global effect on biodiversity

41. Areas of Critical Biodiversity Tropical Rain Forests Tropical Rain Forests Coral Reefs Coral Reefs Coastal Ecosystems Coastal Ecosystems Islands Islands Why these areas????

42. Just 2.3% of the planet’s land surface is home to 50% of the world’s plant species and 42% of its vertebrate animal species. Just 2.3% of the planet’s land surface is home to 50% of the world’s plant species and 42% of its vertebrate animal species.

43. Areas of Critical Biodiversity Hotspots: most threatened areas of high biodiversity Hotspots: most threatened areas of high biodiversity Roughly 25 worldwide Roughly 25 worldwide Madagascar Madagascar Parts of California Parts of California Caribbean Caribbean

44. Hotspots Large numbers of endemic species: species native to that area

45. US Hotspots California Floristic Province – 3488 native plants / 2124 endemic / 565 threatened or endangered agriculture, housing, dams, overuse of water, destructive recreation, mining

46. Review What does it mean when a species is threatened or endangered? What does it mean when a species is threatened or endangered? What makes some species more prone to extinction? What makes some species more prone to extinction? What are the largest threats to biodiversity? What are the largest threats to biodiversity? What areas are likely to have high biodiversity? What areas are likely to have high biodiversity?

48. Future of Biodiversity List and describe efforts to save individual species List and describe efforts to save individual species Explain the advantages of protecting entire ecosystems rather than individual species Explain the advantages of protecting entire ecosystems rather than individual species Describe the main parts of the Endangered Species Act Describe the main parts of the Endangered Species Act

49. Saving Individual Species Captive Breeding Programs: breeding species in captivity with hopes of reintroducing into native habitats Germ Plasm: saving genetic material for possible future use (seeds,sperm, eggs, DNA) Zoos & Aquariums, Wildlife Parks & Gardens

50. Saving Individual Species Does little to preserve species Does little to preserve species Captive individuals may not survive in wild Captive individuals may not survive in wild Small populations have difficult time with inbreeding, diseases Small populations have difficult time with inbreeding, diseases Last resorts Last resorts

51. Preserving Habitat and Ecosystems Most effective way to save a species is protect its habitat Most effective way to save a species is protect its habitat Some species require large areas Some species require large areas What about when they leave protected areas? (Wolves in Yellowstone What about when they leave protected areas? (Wolves in Yellowstone Best way to protect individual species is to protect all species in the ecosystem

52. Legal Protections Many countries have laws to protect wildlife Many countries have laws to protect wildlife Some weak Some weak Some strong Some strong U.S. law Endangered Species Act (ESA) one of the strongest U.S. law Endangered Species Act (ESA) one of the strongest

53. ESA Endangered Species Act Passed 1973 Passed 1973 Protect plant and animals in danger of extinction Protect plant and animals in danger of extinction List created of those threatened and endangered List created of those threatened and endangered Currently ~1600 listed Currently ~1600 listed 2258total worldwide 2258total worldwide

54. ESA Forbids governments and citizens from harming listed species and habitats Forbids trade in products made from listed species

55. ESA Protects listed species from harm Protects listed species from harm No development that harms listed species No development that harms listed species What does that all mean? What does that all mean? Can a Shopping Mall be built where listed species lives? Can a Shopping Mall be built where listed species lives? Spotted Owl

56. ESA Species recovery plan must be made Species recovery plan must be made Habitat Conservation Plans: plans to protect or restore species habitat Habitat Conservation Plans: plans to protect or restore species habitat Why do you think ESA may be controversial? Why do you think ESA may be controversial? Who would not like this law? Who would not like this law?

57. ESA ESA: 1973-2010: 92 to ~1400 species listed 1973-2010: 92 to ~1400 species listed 54 Species removed (26 recovery, 10 extinctions, 18 errors, rest discovered more) 54 Species removed (26 recovery, 10 extinctions, 18 errors, rest discovered more) 60% plants, 40% animals 60% plants, 40% animals TNC says 1/3 rd of all U.S. species…30,000 not 1,260 TNC says 1/3 rd of all U.S. species…30,000 not 1,260 NJ ESA List http://www.state.nj.us/d ep/fgw/tandespp.htm

58. Wildlife Corridors Connect habitat fragments enabling once- isolated populations to interbreed Connect habitat fragments enabling once- isolated populations to interbreed Interbreeding increases genetic diversity Interbreeding increases genetic diversity

59. Yellowstone to Yukon

60. Internationally International Union for the Conservation of Nature & Natural Resources (IUCN) International Union for the Conservation of Nature & Natural Resources (IUCN) Red List of worldwide endangered speciesRed List of worldwide endangered species CITES Treaty 1989 (Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species)CITES Treaty 1989 (Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species) Illegal to trade endangered speciesIllegal to trade endangered species Ivory Tusks

61. Internationally Much more difficult among may poorer countries Much more difficult among may poorer countries International treaties hard to ratify, verify International treaties hard to ratify, verify The Biodiversity TreatyThe Biodiversity Treaty Oceans of particular concern Oceans of particular concern Private conservation efforts often more effective (WWF,TNC,CI) Private conservation efforts often more effective (WWF,TNC,CI) http://animal.discovery.com/tv/whale- wars/http://animal.discovery.com/tv/whale- wars/http://animal.discovery.com/tv/whale- wars/http://animal.discovery.com/tv/whale- wars/

62. Review List and describe efforts to save individual species. List and describe efforts to save individual species. Explain the advantages of protecting entire ecosystems rather than individual species. Explain the advantages of protecting entire ecosystems rather than individual species. Describe the main parts of the Endangered Species Act. Describe the main parts of the Endangered Species Act. Terms: Endangered Species Act, habitat conservation plans, CITES Terms: Endangered Species Act, habitat conservation plans, CITES

63. Biodiversity Review There is a huge diversity of life on Earth that is critical to all species.. There is a huge diversity of life on Earth that is critical to all species.. There are some factors about species that make them prone to extinction. There are some factors about species that make them prone to extinction. Human activities are causing large numbers of species to go extinct. Human activities are causing large numbers of species to go extinct.