1. Biological Diversity and Conservation
Chapter 5

3. Which do you like better?A

4. Which do you like better?A B

5. Which do you like better?A B

6. Which do you like better?A

7. Which do you like better?A B

8. Which do you like better?A B

9. Biodiversity
What does “Bio” mean?
Life
Bio =

10. What does “Diversity” mean?
Biodiversity
What does “Diversity” mean?
Diversity = Variety

11. There are 3 components of biodiversity
Diversity of genes Chihuahuas, beagles, and rottweilers are all dogs—but they're not the same because their genes are different.
Beagle
Chihuahua
Rottweilers

12. There are 3 components of biodiversity
Diversity of species For example, monkeys, dragonflies, and meadow beauties are all different species.
Golden Skimmer
Meadow Beauty
Saki Monkey

13. There are 3 components of biodiversity
Variety of ecosystems Prairies, Ponds, and tropical rain forests are all ecosystems. Each one is different, with its own set of species living in it.
Paines Prairie
Florida Sand hill Pond
Hoh Rain Forest

14. Panda

15. Vanishing Species Biodiversity--variety of life in an area
number of different species in given area
terrestrial biodiversity increases as you move closer to equator
tropical regions contain 2/3 of all land species on Earth

16. Larger islands have more biodiversity than smaller islands (similar locations/biomes)
more space
greater variety of enviornments and ecosystems

17. Importance of Biodiversity
Beautification
Possible unknown relationships
Brings stability to ecosystem
Meets human needs
Potential to improve health (medicines)

19. Loss of Biodiversity
Extinction--disappearance of species when last of its members dies
Threatened species--declining rapidly
Endangered species--numbers become so low that extinction is possible
40 extinctions since 1940’s
humans are mainly responsible

21. DESERTIFICATION

22. Biodiversity Loss

23. Biodiversity Loss

24. Threats to Biodiversity
Changes to habitat can threaten organisms with extinction. Three main ways….
-Habitat loss
-Habitat fragmentation
-Habitat degradation

25. Habitat Loss Biggest threat to biodiversity
Destruction of habitats and organisms can’t adapt
Results from human actions and natural disaster

27. Coral Reefs

28. Habitat Fragmentation
Separation of wilderness areas from other wilderness areas
Ex: roads cut across wilderness, building projects, etc.

29. HABITAT FRAGMENTATION

30. Fragmentation Results

31. Habitat Degradation-- damage to a habitat by pollution
3 Main types….
-Air Pollution
-Water Pollution
-Land Pollution

32. Figure 6-16 Biological Magnification of DDT
Section 6-3
Magnification of
DDT Concentration
Fish-Eating Birds
10,000,000
Large
Fish
1,000,000
100,000
Small Fish
10,000
Zooplankton
1000
Producers
Water 1

33. Air Pollution Includes acid rain
Damages plant tissue and interferes with growth
Changes water pH (frogs)
Damages ozone (CFCs)

34. Water Pollution
Results from excess fertilizers, algal blooms, silt, detergents, heavy metals, and solid pollutants
Point-source vs. Non-point source

35. Land Pollution Pesticides DDT--Rachel Carson
Peregrine falcons, bald eagles, brown pellicans, etc. (fragile eggs)

36. Land Pollution

37. Sustainable Agriculture
Section 6-4
Cover Crops
Legumes, grasses, and other
cover crops recycle soil nutrients,
reduce fertilizer need, and
prevent weed growth.
Controlled Grazing
By managing graze periods and herd
densities, farmers can improve nutrient
cycling, increase the effectiveness of
precipitation, and increase the carrying
capacity of pastures.
Biological Pest Control
The use of predators and parasites
to control destructive insects
minimizes pesticide use as well as
crop damage A B C
Contour Plowing
Contour plowing reduces
soil erosion from land runoff.
On hilly areas, plowing is done
across the hill rather than
straight up and down.
Yr. 1
Crop Rotation
Different crops use and
replenish different nutrients.
By rotating crops, the loss
of important plant nutrients
is decreased.
corn
oats
alfalfa
Yr. 2
alfalfa (plowed in)
corn
alfalfa
Yr. 3
oats
alfalfa
corn

38. Exotic Species Organisms not native to a particular area Ex: Kudzu
Grow at exponential rate due to lack of competitors and lack of predators
May take over niches and eventually replace native species

39. Exotic Species

40. Conservation of Biodiversity
Strategies of Conservation --plans to protect biodiversity
-US Endangered Species Act
-Nature preserves and National Parks
-Sustainable Use
-Habitat Corridors
-Reintroduction programs

41. US Endangered Species Act
Became law in 1973
Made it illegal to harm any species on endangered or threatened species lists
Also illegal for federal agencies to fund any project that would harm organisms on these lists
includes damaging their ecosystems
Ex: bald eagle, American alligator

42. ENDANGERED VS THREATENED
Threatened: population low but extinction less imminent
Endangered: nos so low that extinction imminent

44. THE GREATEST THREAT

45. Nature Preserves/National Parks
Best way to conserve species is to protect whole communities and ecosystems
only 6% of Earth’s land surface is protected

46. Yellow Stone

47. Sustainable Use
Using resources of wilderness areas in ways that will not damage the ecosystem
Harvesting brazil nuts rather than cutting down the trees

49. Habitat Corridors
Natural strips of land/water that allow migration of organisms from one area to another
Overcomes habitat fragmentation

50. Reintroduction Programs
Release of organisms into an area where their species once lived
California condors

51. Reintroduction Programs The Red Wolf has been reintroduced in North Carolina!
Wolves in Yellowstone