1. Biodiversity

2. Biodiversity Variety of living things, number of kinds
Ecological diversity
different habitats, niches, species interactions
Species diversity
different kinds of organisms, relationships among species
Genetic diversity
different genes & combinations of genes within populations

3. Benefits of Biodiversity
Ecosystem functions
Ecosystem services
Cleaning water,
Cleaning air,
Habitat & breeding areas for wildlife, …
Aesthetic and cultural benefits

4. Natural Resources Vital economic natural resources Renewable
Forests (plants, wildlife)
Soils
Fresh water (lakes, rivers)
Wildlife and fisheries
Rangeland
Nonrenewable
Minerals
Fossil Fuels

5. Natural Resources Management of natural resources
Assure availability of resources for the future
Three “philosophies”
Maximum sustained yield
Ecosystem-based management
Adaptive management

6. Benefits of Biodiversity
New food sources
Grains, fruits, vegetables, meat, fish

7. Benefits of Biodiversity
Medicines
Plants
Jellyfish & sea anemones
Nudibranchs
Marine slugs

8. Biodiversity How much biodiversity 1.7—2.0 million species
Estimates to 100 million

9. Biodiversity Where is the biodiversity Everywhere
Every continent and habitat has unique life forms
Concentrated in the tropics
Panama: > 500 species of breeding birds
Arctic: species
Dense concentrations

10. Threats to Biodiversity
Extinction and population reductions
Hunting and overharvesting
Tiger
Dodo
Whales
Sharks
Habitat loss

11. Threats to Biodiversity
Extinction and population reductions
Pollution
Climate change
Invasive species

12. Protecting Biodiversity
How can we protect biodiversity
Stop overharvesting
Sustainable yield
Hunting & fishing laws (every state ?)
in developing nations ?
Protect habitat
Refuges, parks, preserves
Endangered Species Act

13. Protecting Biodiversity
Refuges, parks, reserves
How big should refuges be?
Where should they be?
McArthur & Wilson “Theory of Island Biogeography”
colonization rate
extinction rate (local)
predicts number of species

14. Protecting Biodiversity
Endangered Species Act (1973)
Goal to “recover” species so they no longer need protection under ESA
Implements U.S. participation in CITES
“Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species”
Prohibits trade in listed species
whole organisms
parts: skins, bones, teeth, flowers, leaves, etc.
Other laws:
Marine Mammal Protection Act
Migratory Bird Treaty Act
Anadromous Fish Conservation Act
etc.

15. Protecting Biodiversity
Endangered Species Act (1973)
Listing of “endangered” and “threatened” species
Restricts development of habitats
Captive breeding programs
Release of captive bred stocks to enhance or recover wild populations.

16. Protecting Biodiversity
Biodiversity “hotspots”
Protection of habitat