Biodiversity 04

Significant ideas: Ecosystem stability, succession and biodiversity are intrinsically linked

“The variety of life in all its forms, levels and combinations” Includes: ecosystem diversity, species diversity, and genetic diversity

Scientists have identified more than 2 million species Scientists have identified more than 2 million species. Tens of millions -- remain unknown The tremendous variety of life on Earth is made possible by complex interactions among all living things.

There are 3 components of biodiversity Diversity of genes Cheetahs are on the edge. Approximately 10,000 remain in Africa. Less than 300 remain isolated in Iran. other species are so scarce that they only survive in captive breeding programs

There are 3 components of biodiversity Diversity of species in communities. Product of two variables #of species and relative proportions Hoary Bat Kahuli Iwi

There are 3 components of biodiversity Habitat Variety habitat in an ecosystems Each one is different, with its own set of species living in it. Tropical Rain Forest tiaga Desert

Biodiversity has Intrinsic Value Source: Burmbaugh © AMNH-CBC Intrinsic Value = Something that has value in and of itself

Biodiversity also has Utilitarian Value Utilitarian Value = the value something has as a means to another’s end. Utilitarian values include: Goods Services Information

What do we get from biodiversity? Oxygen Food Clean Water Medicine Aesthetics Ideas

Should we be concerned about biodiversity? What we know: The Earth is losing species at an alarming rate Some scientists estimate that as many as 3 species per hour are going extinct and 20,000 extinctions occur each year. when species of plants and animals go extinct, many other species are affected.

Threats to biodiversity HIPPO Dilemma Habitat Loss Introduced Species Pollution Population Growth Over-consumption

Biodiversity Hotspots

Provide formal documentation of the world’s known biodiversity (living or dead) Museums, Zoos, Arboreta, Botanical Gardens, Public and Private Research Collections

Education Research Species distributions classification Conservation and recovery programs