1. Biodiversity and Conservation

2. What is biodiversity? Bio = life
Diversity = differences among organisms
Biodiversity = the variety of living organisms found in an area
Where can you find biodiversity?

3. Biodiversity varies around the world:
Do you see a pattern?
Number of species of mammals:
Canada – 163
US – 367
Mexico – 439
In one hectare of forest you are likely to find:
Peru – 300 tree species
US – 30 tree species or less

4. Where are you most likely to find the MOST biodiversity?

5. Why is biodiversity important?
Organisms are adapted to live together!
Ecologists know many relationships – many have yet to be discovered
What could happen if lack of biodiversity leads to…
Loss of a major predator?
Breaking the relationship among symbiotic organisms?

6. What is meant by the phrase “Life depends on life?”
Animals need plants
Plants couldn’t exist without animals to pollinate
Plants need decomposers to break down nutrients
Living things create niches for other living things!

7. Importance to People
What does biodiversity offer to Humans?
Biodiversity gives humans:
Oxygen
Diverse diet
Materials (clothes, furniture, buildings)
Medicinal supplies (world pharmacy)
Penicillin cam from the mold Penicillium
Antimalarial drug came from the cinchona tree
Preserving biodiversity ensures there will be living things to use in the future!

8. Loss of Biodiversity Extinct Endangered Threatened
Disappearance of a species
numbers so low that extinction is possible
Population declining rapidly
Ex) Dodo Bird, Tasmanian tiger
Ex) Peregrine Falcon, Black Footed Ferret
Ex) Polar Bear, Boreal Toad

9. Extinct Animals and Plants

10. Endangered Plants/Animals

11. Threats to Biodiversity
Species are usually well adapted to their habitats…
What happens when these habitats are changed?

12. Threats to Biodiversity
Habitat loss
Habitat fragmentation
Habitat degradation
Water/Land pollution
Introduction of exotics

13. Habitat Loss Habitat loss = removal/disappearance of habitat
Effect: organism are displaced (must go somewhere else)
Ex:
deer in your yard
bears in garbage

14. Habitat Fragmentation
Habitat fragmentation = obstruction (road, development, etc) that separates a habitat into sections
Example: Road through a forest prevents animals/plants from moving to other side

15. Habitat Fragmentation
Can cause problems with
Migration
“island effect” or – smaller less biodiversity
Invasion of exotic species
Lack of reintroduction after fires
Changes is climate
Edge effect

16. Habitat Fragmentation
Edge Effect= changes along ecosystem boundaries

17. Habitat Fragmentation

18. Habitat Degradation= to make a habitat unlivable

19. Habitat Degradation: Pollution
Pollution can be air, water, or land
Examples:
Acid Precipitation
CFC’s in atmosphere

20. Acid Precipitation

21. CFC’s, ozone, and global climate change… oh, my!

22. Introduction of Exotic/Invasive Species

23. Introduction of Exotic/Invasive Species
Do not belong in habitat
Few/no predators in new habitat
Reproduce/spread out of control

24. Introduction of Exotic/Invasive Species
Woolly Aldegid

25. Introduction of Exotic/Invasive Species
Kudzu

26. Introduction of Exotic/Invasive Species
Pythons in Everglades

27. Conservation of Biodiversity
Conservation biology = a new field that studies methods and implements plans to protect biodiversity
Effective strategies are based on ecological principles
Many species are threatened because of people, so working with humans is a major part of conservation biology

28. Legal Protection US Endangered Species Act
CITES (Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species)

29. Habitat Preservation

30. Habitat Preservation What does it mean to be sustainable?
Sustainable use = using resources wisely – waste less
Habitat Corridors = connect pieces of land to overcome habitat fragmentation

31. Preservation What does a reintroduction program try to do?
Example: California condors
What does a zoo/captivity aim to do?
What is a seed bank?

32. Preservation Captivity – under human control
Reintroduction – putting species back in natural environment

33. What kinds of problems are there with reintroduction?
Animals may lose natural instinct
Loss of natural instincts is harder on animals than plants
What kinds of problems might plant reintroductions have?