Biological Diversity and Conservation

Summary Slide Vanishing Species Conservation of Biodiversity

Vanishing Species

Biological Diversity Biodiversity: the variety of life (number of species) in an area

Where is biodiversity found? For example for species of mammals: Canada has 163 species, US has 367 species, Mexico has 439 species (this number grows as we get closer to the equator) Tropical regions contain 2/3 of all land species on earth

The “Island Model” Islands can serve as an excellent study tool for biodiversity Small islands can have more or less species than larger ones, depending upon where the islands are located A small island can have as many or more species than the larger one located in a cooler climate This type of research is excellent when it comes to studying national parks or reserves because they are “islands” within themselves

Importance of Biodiversity Biodiversity affects the relationships between populations The existence of one population is directly dependent upon the existence of other populations which surround it Biodiversity helps to stabilize an ecosystem

Importance to people Food Pharmacy Disease

Food Biodiversity is important to humans because we are dependent upon other organisms for a variety of things Organisms like plants give us oxygen The organisms that we eat are diverse and allow use to have a varied diet Biodiversity can be important when it comes to genetically altered crops Biodiversity is also important because we use these species for food as well as materials

Pharmacy Biodiversity also helps in the pharmacy. Penicillin came from mold, Quinine an anti-malaria drug came from a cinchona tree

Disease The cure for cancer and AIDS could be found in our own “backyard” because of biodiversity

Loss of Biodiversity Extinction Threatened Species Endangered Species

Extinction Extinction: The disappearance of a species when the last of its members dies Since 1980 this includes 40 species of plants and animals in the US. Humans have been responsible for a lot of extinction in addition to natural processes

Threatened Species Threatened Species: The rapid decline of a species’ population An example of a threatened population is the African Elephant

The African Elephant In the 1970’s the population of the African Elephant was at 3 million, within 20 years the numbers had fallen to 700,000 Why? Elephants have been hunted for their tusks to make ivory jewelry and ornaments

Endangered Species Endangered species: When the numbers of a threatened species are so low that extinction is possible

Threatened Species The Black Rhinoceros of Africa is endangered due to their horns being carved for ceremonial daggers or used as an herbal medicine In the US the California condor (Gymnogyps californianus) and the Florida manatees (Trichechus manatus)

Threats to biodiversity Habitat loss, Habitat Fragmentation, Biotic Issues, Abiotic issues, Habitat Degradations, Water pollution, Land Pollution, Introduction of Exotics

Habitat Threats Habitat loss: the removal of the habitat Habitat fragmentation: the separation of wilderness areas from other wilderness areas Habitat degradations: The damage to a habitat by pollution (air, water, and land pollution) Ozone layer

Biome Threats Biotic issues: Living relationships between organisms which are effected Abiotic issues: Factors which are caused as a result of other issues

Exotics Introduction of exotics: Can damage native species due to a competition for the environment (Kudzu to US, cane toad to Australia, zebra mussels to Great Lakes, goats to Santa Catalina, sea lamprey to Great Lakes)

Conservation of Biodiversity

Strategies of conservation Biology Conservation Biology: field of biology which studies methods and implements plants to protect biodiversity Conservation biologists focus on ecology, understand law, politics, sociology, and economics

Legal protection of species US Endangered Species act in 1973 by President Nixon: making it illegal to harm any species on the endangered or threatened species lists Harm includes the changing of the ecosystems in which these species live The International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) manages a list of species whose transport and trade are prohibited or controlled and is endorsed by 120 countries

Preserving habitats Creating nature reserves is also a way to preserve habitats Only 6% of the earth’s land surface is protected by reserves The preservation of land is the most effective way to preserve populations

Establishing a Preserve Sustainable Use: allows people to use the resources of the wilderness in ways that will not damage the ecosystem Habitat corridors: Natural strips that allow the migration of organisms from one area to another The creation of a preserve is best suited by placing tracks of land next to areas which are already preserved to make a large island of land or a corridor

The First Reserve Yellowstone National Park was established in 1872 as a preservation effort on the geology of the area which also serves to protect the biodiversity as well.

Preserving Habitats Example: Yellowstone National Park

Reintroduction Programs Reintroduction programs: release organisms into an area where their species once lived

Reintroduction Programs Example: Gray Wolves of Yellowstone National Park

Review