1. Chapter 6-3: Biodiversity

2. Daily Objectives Define biodiversity and explain its value.
Identify current threats to biodiversity.

3. Biodiversity
Total of all the genetically based variation in all the organisms in the biosphere.
Number and variety of organisms in an ecosystem can influence stability, productivity and value to humans.
Healthy and diverse ecosystems play a role in maintaining soil, water and air quality.

4. Types of Biodiversity
Ecosystem Diversity - Variety of habitats, communities and ecological processes in the biosphere.
Species Diversity - The number of different species in the biosphere or in a particular area.
1.8 million species identified and named
Estimated up to 30 million more to be discovered
Genetic Diversity - Sum total of all different forms of genetic information carried by a particular species, or all organisms on Earth.

5. Valuing Biodiversity Greatest natural resources
Contributions to medicine and agriculture
Provides ecosystem goods and services
Makes our world a beautiful, interesting place

6. Biodiversity and Medicine
Wild species are original sources of many medicines
Painkillers - Aspirin
Chemicals in the wild treat diseases like depression and cancer
Foxglove – Heart Disease 
Willow bark

7. Biodiversity and Agriculture
Wild plants may carry genes we can use for:
Plant breeding
Genetic engineering - transfer disease or pest resistance traits to plant crops.

8. Extinction
Scientist estimate 99% of species that have lived are extinct
Species loss is now approaching a thousand times the “typical” rate.

9. Humans Reduce Biodiversity by:
Altering habitats
Hunting
Introducing invasive species
Releasing pollution into food webs
Contribute to climate change

10. Humans Reduce Biodiversity by:

11. Altered Habitats
Agriculture and urban development lead to the loss of habitats
Habitat fragmentation - development splits ecosystems into pieces leaving “islands”
Smaller islands have fewer species

12. Hunting Hunting can lead to extinction
Today endangered species protected; but not in parts of Africa, South America and Southeast Asia
Hunting purposes
Meat / Food
Hides and skins for commercial value
Body parts for medicinal properties
Pets

13. Invasive Species When species are introduced into new areas
Threaten biodiversity
Change ecosystems
Drive native species close to extinction
E.g. Purple Loosestrife and Snakehead Fish

14. Review of Daily Objectives
What is biodiversity?
Why is it important?
What are the 3 types?
How do humans threaten biodiversity?