1. Biodiversity

2. What is Biodiversity? Biological Diversity or Biodiversity
“The variety of life in all its forms, levels and combinations. Includes ecosystem diversity, species diversity, and genetic diversity” (IUCN, UNEP and WWF, 1991).

3. Biodiversity Biodiversity is currently declining are going extinct
Species
are going
extinct

4. Extinction Extinction is a natural process
~ 99% of all species have become extinct

5. A few species disappearing over long time periods
Extinction
Natural Extinction
Typically occurs at slow pace
A few species disappearing over long time periods

6. though there have been rapid, mass extinctions
Natural Extinction
though there have been rapid, mass extinctions

7. Extinction Accelerated Extinction Occurring at a rapid pace
Many species are disappearing every year

8. Often old species evolve into new species over time
Extinction
Natural Extinction
Often old species evolve into new species over time

9. Offspring species survive and continue to evolve
Extinction
Natural
Extinction
Offspring species survive and continue to evolve

10. Extinction Accelerated Extinction
Species are disappearing too rapidly to evolve into new species
No evolutionary or genetic legacy remains

11. Extinction
We are currently experiencing the greatest extinction event of the last 65 million years – since the disappearance of the dinosaurs
Peter Raven

12. Biodiversity How many species have been identified ?
Approximately 1.4 million species have been named and described

13. Biodiversity Insects 750,000 Vertebrates Plants 250,000
Mammals 4,000
Birds 9,000
Reptiles 6,300
Amphibians 4,200
Fish 19,000
Plants 250,000
Non-insect arthropods 125,000
Other species 200,000

14. How many species have been thoroughly studied ?
Biodiversity
How many species have been thoroughly studied ?
Only %
We have done little more than name most of the species that we know about

15. How many species are currently alive on Earth ?
Biodiversity
How many species are currently alive on Earth ?
We do not know !

16. Biodiversity How many species are currently alive on Earth ?
In the past, estimates were 3 –5 million species

17. Biodiversity How many species are currently alive on Earth ?
Recent estimates are more than 10 million species

18. How many species are currently alive on Earth ?
Biodiversity
How many species are currently alive on Earth ?
The higher numbers of more recent estimates are due to recognition of vast, unknown biodiversity in tropical rainforests

19. Biodiversity How many species are currently alive on Earth ?
Many species will disappear before we can even identify and name them

20. Biodiversity Habitat Alteration
What is the primary cause of the current high rates of extinction of species ?
Habitat Alteration

21. Habitat Alteration The most significant single factor in extinctions
Habitats are destroyed as human societies alter ecosystems

22. Rainforest destruction threatens countless species
Habitat Alteration
Rainforest destruction threatens countless species

23. Habitat Alteration
Human activities have significantly altered an estimated 50-75% of the ice-free land surface of the Earth

24. Will Global Climate Change be the greatest habitat alteration of all?
According to the IPCC, a warming of 1.5 – 2.5 0C would place % of species at increased risk of extinction

25. Will Global Climate Change be the greatest habitat alteration of all?
According to the IPCC, a warming above 3.5 0C would place % of species at increased risk of extinction

26. Human Pressures on Species
Habitat Alteration
- most important by far -
Other pressures include:
Commercial Hunting and Poaching
Introduction of Alien Species
Pest and Predator Control

27. Human Pressures on Species
Commercial hunting and fishing have resulted in decline of whales, sea turtles, and other species

28. Human Pressures on Species
Poaching threatens elephants, rhinos and other species

29. Human Pressures on Species
Introduction of alien species and diseases often threatens native species

30. Human Pressures on Species
Efforts to control pests and predators can harm species and ecosystems

31. Vulnerability of Species
Ecological factors make some species more vulnerable to extinction
Critical population size
Limited geographic range
Dietary specialists
Larger size species
Tolerance to human presence

32. Vulnerability of Species
Critical population size
Once a population falls to a small number, particularly a social species, the population may not be able to recover

33. Vulnerability of Species
Limited geographic range
Species with a small geographic range are more vulnerable to extinction than are geographically widespread species

34. Vulnerability of Species
Dietary specialists
Species with highly specialized diets are more vulnerable to extinction than are dietary generalists

35. Vulnerability of Species
Larger size species
Larger species more directly compete with humans
Larger species tend to have lower reproductive rates

36. Vulnerability of Species
Tolerance to human presence
Some species do not tolerate human presence and will not inhabit areas where humans are found

37. Reasons for Concern Why should we care and be concerned ?
Biodiversity is Rapidly Declining
Why should we care and be concerned ?

38. Ethics Reasons for Concern
We have the power to destroy or save species
It is wrong for us to destroy other species
It is right for us to save other species

39. Aesthetics Reasons for Concern
The diversity of species gives beauty to our world and the experiences of life

40. Economics Reasons for Concern
A tremendous portion of our economy depends on biological species
Species extinctions deny us potential economic opportunities

41. New Medicines Reasons for Concern
Many of our medicines are based upon biological species
Species extinctions deny us potential new medicines

42. New Foods Reasons for Concern
All of our foods are based on biological species
Species extinctions deny us potential new foods

43. Species extinctions makes ecosystems less complex and less stable
Reasons for Concern
Ecosystem Stability
Complex ecosystems with greater species diversity are more stable over time
Species extinctions makes ecosystems less complex and less stable

44. Future Generations Reasons for Concern
We must preserve the biological wealth of the Earth for the sake of our children, grandchildren, and countless future generations