Biodiversity Under Attack! Learning Goals: I will be able to explain what biodiversity is. I will be able to explain the classification of species at risk I will be able to explain how humans impact biodiversity.

Biodiversity Biodiversity is the number of different species living in a given area or ecosystem

Based on the following map, where is there the most biodiversity?

Abiotic Factors and Biodiversity The more sunlight and the more rain an area gets the higher its biodiversity will be. Ecosystems closer to the equator have greatest biodiversity of animal species The more biodiverse an area is the more likely it is that the ecosystem will be able to stay healthy and stable. Biodiversity in a Rainforest Biodiversity in a Coral Reef

Biodiversity Hot Spot A biodiversity hot spot is a biogeographic region with significant levels of biodiversity that is under threat from humans A biodiversity hot spot must have lost at least 70% of its habitat due to human impact The Biodiversity Hotspots of Canada

Biodiversity in Madagascar More than 700 species of reptiles and amphibians live on the African island of Madagascar Madagascar is unique because about 90% of its species are found nowhere else on Earth Madagascar Biodiversity video

Species at Risk The greatest threat to biodiversity is that a species can become extinct An extinct species is one that has died out and no longer exists anywhere on Earth Table 1: Status of Wildlife in Canada Classification Definition Number of Species Examples Special Concern May become threatened or endangered because of various factors 160 Polar bear Threatened Likely to become endangered if no action taken 145 Humpback whale Endangered In immediate danger of becoming extirpated or extinct 244 Swift fox Extirpated No longer exists in the wild in a specific area 23 Grey whale Extinct No longer exists on earth 13 Sea mink

Human Causes for Extinction The greatest threat to today’s species is human activity About 80 species of birds and mammals became extinct shortly after humans reached North American over 10000 years ago These include the sabre-toothed cat, the mammoth and the Stellar’s sea cow Recently extinct species include the thylacine, quagga and passenger pigeon Hinterland Species at Risk Crash Course Ecology: Human Activity A thylacine (extinct) A quagga (extinct) A passenger pigeon (extinct)

Class Work Page 95 #1, 6, 8, 10