Biodiversity 24 March 2009 Biodiversity.ppt
Biodiversity Variety of living things, number of kinds Ecological diversity different habitats, niches, species interactions Species diversity different kinds of organisms, relationships among species Genetic diversity different genes & combinations of genes 24 March 2009 Biodiversity.ppt
Benefits of Biodiversity Ecosystem functions Ecosystem services Cleaning water, habitat & breeding areas for wildlife Aesthetic and cultural benefits 24 March 2009 Biodiversity.ppt
Benefits of Biodiversity New food sources Grains, fruits, vegetables, meat, fish 24 March 2009 Biodiversity.ppt
Benefits of Biodiversity Medicines Plants Jellyfish & sea anemones Nudibranchs 24 March 2009 Biodiversity.ppt
Biodiversity How much biodiversity 1.7—2.0 million species Estimates to 100 million 24 March 2009 Biodiversity.ppt
Biodiversity Where is the biodiversity Everywhere Every continent and habitat has unique life forms Concentrated in the tropics Panama: > 500 species of breeding birds Arctic: 50-100 species Dense concentrations 24 March 2009 Biodiversity.ppt
Threats to Biodiversity Extinction and population reductions Hunting and overharvesting Tiger Dodo Whales Sharks Habitat loss 24 March 2009 Biodiversity.ppt
Threats to Biodiversity Extinction and population reductions Pollution Climate change Invasive species 24 March 2009 Biodiversity.ppt
Protecting Biodiversity How can we protect biodiversity Stop overharvesting Sustainable yield Hunting & fishing laws (every state ?) in developing nations ? Refuges, parks, preserves Endangered Species Act 24 March 2009 Biodiversity.ppt
Protecting Biodiversity Refuges, parks, preserves How big should refuges be? Where should they be? McArthur & Wilson “Theory of Island Biogeography” colonization rate extinction rate (local) predicts number of species 24 March 2009 Biodiversity.ppt
Protecting Biodiversity Effect of island size Effect of island distance 24 March 2009 Biodiversity.ppt
Protecting Biodiversity McArthur & Wilson “Theory of Island Biogeography” colonization rate extinction rate (local) predicts number of species 24 March 2009 Biodiversity.ppt
Protecting Biodiversity Island Biogeography Island size predicts number of species 24 March 2009 Biodiversity.ppt
Protecting Biodiversity Island Biogeography Everyplace is an island Habitat fragmentation Smaller fragments hold fewer species 24 March 2009 Biodiversity.ppt
Protecting Biodiversity How can we protect biodiversity Endangered Species Act (1973) Listing of “endangered” and “threatened” species Restricts development of habitats Captive breeding programs Release of captive bred stocks to enhance or recover wild populations. http://www.fws.gov/endangered/ 24 March 2009 Biodiversity.ppt
Protecting Biodiversity Biodiversity “hotspots” Protection of habitat 24 March 2009 Biodiversity.ppt