1. Biodiversity
Unit 7

2. Section 1: Biodiversity
Biodiversity* is the number and variety of different species in a given area.
1.7 million species are known to science but it is estimated that there are about ten million.
Everyday one of these species goes extinct.

3. E.O. Wilson
Born in Birmingham, AL. He laid the foundation for the concept of biodiversity through his work with ants.

4. It can be studied on three levels:
1. Species diversity – differences between populations in species.
2. Ecosystem diversity – variety of habitats, communities, and ecological processes within and between ecosystems.
3. Genetic diversity – all the different genes contained within all members of a population.

5. Benefits
Species are connected and are part of cycles in the community.
Some species promote great diversity and are known as keystone species.

6. Genetic diversity
The smaller a population becomes the lower the genetic diversity becomes and lower the chance of survival.(bottleneck)

7. Medical, Industrial, Agricultural
One fourth of the drugs used in the US are derived from plants.
Antibiotics found in fungi.

8. The majority of food comes from a few places with high diversity.
Some countries the majority of their economy depends on ecotourism.

9. Section 2: Endangerment
Threatened species – species with a declining population that are likely to become endangered if not protected.
Endangered species are likely to become extinct if protective measures are not taken immediately.

10. Extinction
Extinction* is the loss of a species family or other group from existence.
There have been five different mass extinction in the history of Earth. Could we currently be in the midst of a sixth mass extinction due to the activities of humans?

11. Mass Extinction is the loss of many species over short period of time.

12. Human Causes
Habitat destruction and fragmentation is responsible for 75 percent of extinctions.
Invasive exotic species – species introduced to an area that threaten the native population.

13. Harvesting, Hunting, and Poaching
Pollution – pesticides, cleaning products, drugs, and other chemicals used by humans that disrupt the food web.

14. Genetic Modification
Genetically modified crops can outcompete wild plants. Even though the plants can be modified to make plants resistant to disease. If the plants all become uniform it could make them susceptible to other diseases.

15. Important Biodiversity Areas
Tropical Rain Forest
Coral Reefs and Coastal Ecosystems
Islands
Home to a large number of endemic species.(native and found only in a limited area.)

16. Section 3: Protection Methods used to save individual species.
1.) Captive-Breeding Programs
2.) Preserving Genetic Material - germ cells are preserved and may be used one day for research or recovery.
3.) Zoos, Aquariums, Parks, and Gardens

17. Preserving Habitats 1.) Strategies
Identify areas of native habitat that can be preserved
Promote sustainable products

18. Legal Protection
1.) US laws – 1973 Endangered species act requires a list of animals and that humans can be punished for having any part in harming an animal on this list.

19. 2. Recovery and Conservation
Habitat conservation plans protect one or more species through trade-offs or cooperative agreements.

20. International Movements
1.) Cites* is a treaty that banned the trade of endangered species it was passed by the IUCN

21. 2.) Biodiversity Treaty
1992 The Earth Summit led to the adoption of the biodiversity treaty that stated all measures should be used to protect biodiversity and genetic resources should be used fairly.

22. Discussion
What is happening to honey bee population? Why? What does this mean to the local ecosystems?
What are the causes of mass extinctions, and in your opinion are we currently experiencing one?