1. Threats to Biodiversity

2. Who are the key players in maintaining a healthy ecosystem?

3. Endemic species: a species that is native to a particular place and that is found only there. a species that is native to a particular place and that is found only there. Giraffes on the savannah Giraffes on the savannah Polar bears in the Arctic Polar bears in the Arctic White-tailed Deer in Livingston White-tailed Deer in Livingston

4. Ecologists often use the numbers of endemic species of plants as an indicator of overall biodiversity because plants form the basis of ecosystems on land.Ecologists often use the numbers of endemic species of plants as an indicator of overall biodiversity because plants form the basis of ecosystems on land. Areas of the world with greater diversity also have large numbers of endemic species.Areas of the world with greater diversity also have large numbers of endemic species.

5. Giraffes on the African Savannah

6. Kangaroos and Koalas in Australia

7. Darwin’s finches are endemic to the Galapagos

8. Keystone Species: “A species that is critical to the functioning of the ecosystem in which it lives because it affects the survival and abundance of many other species in its community”“A species that is critical to the functioning of the ecosystem in which it lives because it affects the survival and abundance of many other species in its community” Critical member of the ecosystemCritical member of the ecosystem Removal of this species could bring collapse to the entire food webRemoval of this species could bring collapse to the entire food web

9. Sea Otters  Sea Urchins  Kelp

10. Jaguars  Top predators

11. Sea Stars  Sea Urchins, Clams and Snails

12. Elephants destroy trees  clearing land for savanna habitat

13. Beavers convert streams with dams to make marshes and swamps

14. Grizzly Bears  Salmon  Fertilizer??

15. Video- Why are bees disappearing? http://www.ted.com/talks/marla_spivak_w hy_bees_are_disappearing.html

17. THREAT 1: Habitat Destruction

18. Threat 2: Poaching, Overhunting

19. Threat 3: Invasive Species http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLH1qLCvqSghttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLH1qLCvqSghttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLH1qLCvqSg

20. What makes a Species Invasive? Non-native, or alien species- doesn’t belong in particular ecosystem Non-native, or alien species- doesn’t belong in particular ecosystem Generalist - thrive in a wide range of habitats, reproduce quickly Generalist - thrive in a wide range of habitats, reproduce quickly Few to no predators - can thrive uncheckedFew to no predators - can thrive unchecked Outcompete endemic species for resources- sunlight, food, space, water Outcompete endemic species for resources- sunlight, food, space, water

21. Threat 4: Pollution

22. Threat 5: Over-Hunting and Over-Harvesting

23. Threat 6: Global Climate Change

24. If fossil fuel emission trends continue, the world may be 6 deg. C warmer (11 deg F) by 2100 (IPCC)If fossil fuel emission trends continue, the world may be 6 deg. C warmer (11 deg F) by 2100 (IPCC) The Earth may lose 25% of all land species by 2100.The Earth may lose 25% of all land species by 2100. If species cannot adapt, they go extinctIf species cannot adapt, they go extinct Other species may take their place, including invasivesOther species may take their place, including invasives