1. Biodiversity
Chapter 10.1

2. Biodiversity
Short for biological diversity, is the variety of organisms in a given area, the genetic variation within a population, the variety of species in a community, or the variety of communities in an ecosystem.
Highest in areas like tropical rain forests

3. Unknown Biodiversity
The number of species known to science is about 1.7 million, most of which are insects.
True number unknown.
Scientists accept an estimate of greater than 10 million.

4. Unknown Biodiversity

5. Benefits of Biodiversity
Species are connected to ecosystems
Species and population survival
Medical, industrial, and agricultural uses
Ethics, aesthetics, and recreation

6. Species Connected to Ecosystems
Keystone Species: Species that are critical to the functioning of an ecosystem (ex: otters) because it affects the abundance and survival of many other species in its community.
Ex: sea otter…less sea otter = more sea urchins = kelp gone = the loss of kelp beds along the U.S. Pacific Coast.

7. Species and Population Survival
Genetic diversity increases the chance that some members of a species will survive environmental changes.
Less genetic diversity means more genetic diseases could be inherited.

8. Medical, Industrial, and Agricultural Uses
Organisms are used for food, clothing, shelter, and medicine throughout history
About ¼ of the drugs prescribed in the US come from plants and almost all antibiotics come from chemicals found in fungi
We continue to find new uses for species or chemicals in those species

9. Medical Uses

10. Human Impact on Biodiversity
Endangered Species: species likely to become extinct if protective measures are not taken immediately
Threatened Species: species that has a declining population that is likely to become endangered if not protected
Habitat destruction/fragmentation
Invasive exotic species
Harvesting, hunting, poaching
Pollution

11. Areas of Critical Biodiversity
Endemic Species: species that are native to and only found in a limited area, can indicate overall biodiversity in that area
Tropical Rain Forests
Coral Reefs and Coastal Ecosystems
Islands

12. Tropical Rain Forests
Cover less than 7% of the Earth’s land surface, but contain over half of the world’s species
Frequently cleared for farming or cattle grazing
A Biodiversity hotspot: most threatened area of high species diversity on Earth

13. Coral Reefs and Coastal Ecosystems
Occupy a small fraction of the marine environment, but contain most of its biodiversity
Provide food and tourism revenue
Protect coasts from waves
Sources of new chemicals
Threatened due to overfishing and pollution

14. Islands Some limited, unique species live on islands
Competition can kill off these unique species

15. BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOTS