1. Because if everything was the same, Life would be boring! 
Biodiversity Chapter 10
Because if everything was the same, Life would be boring! 

2. What is Biodiversity? “BIOLOGICAL DIVERISTY”
Refers to the number and variety of different species in a given area.
Certain areas of the planet have more biodiversity than others.
Biodiversity affects all life forms on Earth!

3. How do we measure biodiversity?
Biodiversity is measured by cataloging all species that exist on Earth.
This task unfinished to this day.
About 1.7 million species are known to exist so far and they are mostly insects.
The actual number of species on Earth is unknown.

4. So think about it…

5. Headaches for Scientists
Scientists agree on an estimate of greater than 10 million for total number of species.
Species are “known” when that are collected and described scientifically.
Unknown species exist in remote wildernesses, deep in oceans, and even in cities.

6. Attention to Species
Species that are harder to study receive less attention than larger, more familiar species.
Ex: How much do you know about mammals as compared to insects?
Make a list of as many mammals as you can think of.
Now, make a list of as many insects as you can think of.

7. Three levels of Biodiversity
Species diversity: All the differences between populations of species, as well as between different species.
This level of biodiversity receives most of the attention and is usually what we think of as “biodiversity.”

8. Three levels of Biodiversity
Ecosystem diversity: the variety of habitats, communities, and ecological processes within and between ecosystems.
Refresher: What is _______?
Habitat?
Community?
Niche?
Population?
Interspecific?
Intraspecific?

9. Three levels of Biodiversity
Genetic diversity: all the different genes contained within all members of a population.
A gene is a piece of DNA that codes for a specific trait that can be inherited by an organism’s offspring.

10. Benefits of Biodiversity
Biodiversity affects the sustainability of populations and the stability of ecosystems.
Humans and other organisms clearly benefit from biodiversity.

11. Species and Ecosystems Connect
Every species plays an important role in its ecosystem.
Help with energy/ nutrient cycles
Dependent on/ depend on by other species
When one species disappears from an ecosystem, a strand in the food web is removed.
Keystone species: species that are clearly critical to the functioning of an ecosystem.
Example: Sea Otter

12. Sea Otters
In 1800s, sea otters were hunted for their pelts. (usually found on the Pacific Coast but they disappeared)
The otters ate sea urchins which now had no predators.
Sea Urchins eat Sea Kelp.
What do you think happened in this ecosystem?

13. URCHIN INVASION!!!

14. Results:
The urchin population multiplied so rapidly that it destroyed kelp beds with are homes to many different species.
Scientist found a small group of surviving otters and helped increase the population.
With their natural predators present once again, the urchin population went back to normal levels and kelp beds were again able to grow.

15. Species and Population
Level of genetic diversity in a species is crucial for its survival.
The more genes available = better chances of adapting to changing conditions.
Small and isolated populations are less likely to survive changes in environment or pressure it might cause.

16. Genetic Bottlenecks
Think about the last time you got a bottle of small colorful candies (Skittles, M&M, Rainbow Nerd, WHATEVER!)
When you poured a small amount of the candies into your hand did you ALWAYS have ALL the colors available in the bag?
When a population shrinks, its genetic diversity decreases as though it is passing through a bottleneck.
Think of the different colors of skittles as specific gene traits exhibited by a species.

17. Lack of genetic diversity can also lead to inbreeding and will increase the chance of genetic disorders.

18. Medical, Industrial, and Agricultural Uses
People throughout history have used different organisms for:
Food.
Clothing.
Shelter
Medicine (1/4 of the drugs prescribed in the U.S. come from plants).
New/ undiscovered species offer many possibilities for other products that could aid in improvement of human lives.

20. Ethics, Aesthetics, and Recreation
Some people believe that we should preserve biodiversity for ethical reasons such as the species and ecosystems have a right to exist whether or not they have other value.
This affects people culturally, religiously, aesthetically, or for personal reasons.
Ecotourism: a form of tourism that supports the conservation and sustainable development of ecology in a unique area.

21. Your Turn…
Pick one viewpoint and make an argument supporting your opinions by writing a paragraph. (Must be a full page long!)
Hint: Try writing it as a letter from one viewpoint to another.
You are an indigenous person living in the jungle with your family and the government wants to plow down your part of the forest to build a new factory.
You are a big business owner who is very wealthy and you want to plow down part of a tropical forest with villages to build a new factory and expand your business.