1. Conservation of Biodiversity
What causes biodiversity decline?
Describe methods for monitoring & protecting species
Understand why connectedness is important in protecting species
• Identify services that species offer to ecosystems

2. How many species are there?
Estimates vary widely 3-10 million
Latest scientist estimate is around 6.8 million
Nearly 1/3 of all species are threatened

4. Categories of Endangerment
Extinct- no longer exist
Threatened- species with a high risk of extinction in the future
Endangered- seriously at risk of extinction
Least concerned- no serious threat, abundant

6. Why are Amphibians more threatened?
Live in all of the biosphere, land, water & air
Sensitive skin
Eggs are clear so toxins can easily enter
Thin Green Line short video

7. Extinctions 5 mass extinctions on Earth
Two largest
Permian Extinction 248 million YA
Cretaceous Extinction 65 million YA
21% are threatened due to reduced habitat, rising sea levels
Since bird species are extinct. 1/3 of U.S. Pop. is declining
Of 5,500 mammal species since are extinct.

8. Causes of Extinction Hunting Food Medicine Poaching-illegal hunting
Export/import of non-native species
Destruction of habitat-deforestation

9. Habitat Loss Video Sage Brush
For most species the greatest cause of decline and extinction is habitat loss.
50% of grasslands 30% of deserts from wetlands increased. But not to the level of the 1600’s

10. Change in Forest Cover

11. Invasive/Introduces Species
Alien species (exotic species)- species that live outside their historical range.
Invasive species- when alien species spread rapidly across large areas.
Ex- Kudzu Vine, Zebra Mussel, Silver Carp, Snakehead fish. Burmese python
Due to global trade, travel, illegal trade
Ship bilge water –plants, fish shellfish

12. Keystone species

13. Keystone Species
A keystone species is a plant or animal that plays a unique and crucial role in the way an ecosystem functions.
Without keystone species, the ecosystem would be dramatically different or not exist.
Let’s look at some examples

14. Pollution Threats to biodiversity can come from toxic contaminants
Pesticides
heavy metals
acid rain
oil spills.

15. Climate Change
Concern how climate change will affect temperature and precipitation around the world, and how this will impact biodiversity.
Sea level changes, plant growth, migration to climates that are better suited

16. Overharvesting
When individuals of a species are removed at a rate faster than the population can replace them.
American bison million by late 1800’s less than 1,000, now 50,000.
Bison skulls
Dodo bird

17. Endangered Species Act
Endangered Species Act- first passed in 1973, it authorizes the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to list species as threatened or endangered & prohibits harming these species.
Trading these species is also illegal.
also authorizes the government to purchase habitat that is critical to the species.
Video Wolves

18. Habitat Fragmentation
When designing and managing protected areas a number of factors must be considered
how close to another area they should be, how large the area is, the amount of edge habitat the area contains, & connectedness
Edge habitat- the area where two different communities come together, typically forming an transition.
Would there be more or less biodiversity in an edge habitat?

19. Fragmentation of Habitat

20. Habitat Corridors