Define biodiversity

Biodiversity Key concept: Global interactions Significant concept: Rainforests are of global value. Unit question: Why is biodiversity important to the global community and what are the causes and consequences of reduced biodiversity in tropical rainforests?

Today’s lesson Define biodiversity Explain the importance of biodiversity to the world community

What is Biodiversity? A washing powder....a boy band?......NOPE “The variety among living organisms from all sources including, amongst other, terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are part; this includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems.”

Three aspects to consider Species diversity is the number of different species in a given area. The ideas of ‘species richness’ and resilience to change. Genetic diversity is the characteristic of ecosystems that allows survival. Ideas of the ‘gene pool’ and sources of medicines. Ecosystem diversity is often regarded as a measure of the diversity of the total ecosystem. This includes both biotic (plants and animals) and abiotic parts (soils, geology and climate)

Distribution of Biodiversity Biodiversity varies from place to place at a range of scales: locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. Generally areas of the world with the highest levels of bio-productivity (land or sea) have the greatest diversity

Which countries have the greatest biodiversity?

Watch 2010 Biodiversity movie for Environment day Watch 2010 Biodiversity movie for Environment day Values of biodiversity x4 Problems of biodiversity loss – species at risk x 7 Causes of biodiversity loss x 5 Benefits of biodiversity x 9

Biodiversity Key Facts Since the beginning of the 20 th century about three-quarters of the world's crop plant varieties have been lost, and around 50,000 varieties disappear every year. The world's population obtains about 90% of its calories from 30 crop species. Tropical forests and woodlands contain at least 50% of all known plant and animal species. Some 40% of the world's market economy is based on biological products and processes. At least 7,000 medical compounds in Western pharmacies from aspirin to birth control pills are drawn from plants, mostly from LDCs. Source: UNEP (2010)