Unit 6 - Biodiversity and Conservation

Saving the Siberian Tiger Siberian tigers are one of five remaining tiger subspecies. In the early 20th century, hunting and habitat loss reduced the wild population to just 20–30 animals. Conservation efforts have helped the wild population rebound to 450–500 today. Talk About It What are the benefits of wildlife conservation? Are there drawbacks?

Lesson 7.1 Our Planet of Life There are more known species of insects than any other form of life. Among known insect species, 4% are beetles.

Biodiversity variety of life ecological DNA among individuals Lesson 7.1 Our Planet of Life Biodiversity variety of life Describes the __________________ across all levels of _______________ organization Includes three types: Genetic diversity: Differences in ______________________________________ Within a species, organisms have genetic differences In general, species with more genetic diversity have better chances of survival ecological DNA among individuals Genetic Diversity Species Diversity Ecosystem Diversity

Biodiversity species area most commonly used Lesson 7.1 Our Planet of Life Biodiversity Includes three types: 2) Species diversity: Variety of _____________ in a given ________ Easiest to visualize & ________________________________ species area most commonly used Genetic Diversity Species Diversity Ecosystem Diversity

Biodiversity habitats ecosystems Lesson 7.1 Our Planet of Life Biodiversity Includes three types: 3) Ecosystem diversity: Variety of ____________, ___________________, or communities in an area Ex. A seashore with rocky and sandy beaches, forested cliffs and ocean water has more biodiversity than the same area of farmland habitats ecosystems Genetic Diversity Species Diversity Ecosystem Diversity

Species Diversity - Classification Lesson 7.1 Our Planet of Life Species Diversity - Classification Taxonomists classify species based on physical ________________ , ___________ makeup and ability to mate and produce ______________ offspring. Organisms are placed into a hierarchy of taxonomic groups: Domain Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family Genus Species The more taxonomic levels two organisms have in common, the ___________________________ they are appearance genetic fertile Panthera leo Panthera tigris more closely related

Species Diversity - Classification Lesson 7.1 Our Planet of Life Species Diversity - Classification Taxonomic groups reflect _______________ relationships among species. Below the species level, organisms may fall into________________—populations with genetically based characteristics that differ area to area. evolutionary subspecies Sumatran Tiger Siberian Tiger Panthera tigris altaica Panthera tigris sumatrae

Biodiversity Distribution Lesson 7.1 Our Planet of Life Biodiversity Distribution not evenly Species are ____________ distributed among taxonomic groups. Even though _________ are small in size, there are ________ known species of insect than any other group. insects more

Biodiversity Distribution Lesson 7.1 Our Planet of Life Biodiversity Distribution 1.7 to 2 million Scientists have identified and described ________________ species but estimate there are between ________________ species on Earth. Why? ________________________________________________ 5 to 30 million Some areas of Earth are unexplored Ex. Deep Ocean Many are tiny and easy to overlook Ex. Bacteria Many are difficult to identify and tell apart from other species

Biodiversity Distribution Lesson 7.1 Our Planet of Life Biodiversity Distribution globally Species are not evenly distributed ___________ Latitudinal Gradient - there is an increase in species richness towards the ___________. equator

Benefits of Biodiversity Lesson 7.1 Our Planet of Life Benefits of Biodiversity Ecosystem services _______________________ - valuable processes provided by intact ecosystems. Biodiversity enables services such as: ___________________________________________ Purification and air and water Control of pests and diseases Image - http://www.flickr.com/photos/carolynconner/4264882098/ (Creative Commons licensed) Geyser info source - National Park Service: http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/noldfaith.htm Decomposition of waste

Benefits of Biodiversity Lesson 7.1 Our Planet of Life Benefits of Biodiversity biodiversity stability High ________________ increases ____________ of communities and ecosystems, enabling them to perform services. Stable ecosystems are resistant and resilient. Resistant: Resist environmental change without ____________ function Resilient: Affected by change, but ______________________ and regain function losing Image - http://www.flickr.com/photos/carolynconner/4264882098/ (Creative Commons licensed) Geyser info source - National Park Service: http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/noldfaith.htm bounce back

Benefits of Biodiversity Lesson 7.1 Our Planet of Life Benefits of Biodiversity Agriculture Wild strains are _____________ with related crops to transfer beneficial traits. Ex. Corn that is disease resistant is cross-bred with normal corn to make a disease resistant hybrid (___________ diversity) New plants are constantly being ______________ that have the potential for widespread use. Ex. Babassu palm used for vegetable oil (_____________ diversity) cross-bred genetic discovered species Zea diploperennis

Benefits of Biodiversity Lesson 7.1 Our Planet of Life Benefits of Biodiversity Medicine: Organisms contain compounds that are useful for ____________________. Of the 150 most prescribed drugs in the United States, _______ originated in __________. Ex. Yew tree, an original source of Taxol, a cancer-fighting drug treating disease 118 nature

Benefits of Biodiversity Lesson 7.1 Our Planet of Life Benefits of Biodiversity Environmentally responsible Ecotourism: __________________________________ tourism is a source of income for many nations.

Lesson 7.2 Extinction and Biodiversity Loss Biodiversity losses caused by humans are common in our history. Hunting and forest cutting drove the passenger pigeon—once North America’s most numerous bird—into extinction.

Extinction very last member globe area not the entire species Lesson 7.2 Extinction and Biodiversity Loss Extinction very last member Extinction – occurs when the _____________________of a species on the ____________ dies Extirpation – disappearance of a species from a particular __________ but ___________________________ globally globe area not the entire species

Natural Biodiversity Loss Lesson 7.2 Extinction and Biodiversity Loss Natural Biodiversity Loss Background extinctions: Naturally occurring extinctions, occurring _______ species at a time Mass extinctions: Events when extinction rates _____________ the normal background rate There have been ______ mass extinctions in Earth’s history Each time more than ______ of all species have gone extinct one far exceed five Dinosaur extinctions were part of a mass extinction. half

Biodiversity at Risk 100-1000 extinction endangered Lesson 7.2 Extinction and Biodiversity Loss Biodiversity at Risk 100-1000 The current extinction rate is ____________ times greater than the natural background rate. In 2009, 1321 species in the U.S. were classified as endangered or threatened. Endangered: At serious risk of _______________ Threatened: Likely to become __________________ soon through all or part of its range extinction endangered

Biodiversity at Risk Global population Lesson 7.2 Extinction and Biodiversity Loss Biodiversity at Risk Living Planet Index: Summarizes ______________________ trends for certain terrestrial, freshwater, and marine species The Living Planet Index fell by almost 30% between 1975 and 2005. Global population

Causes of Biodiversity Loss Lesson 7.2 Extinction and Biodiversity Loss Causes of Biodiversity Loss 4 Primary Causes of Population Decline and Species Extinction: __________________ Habitat Change & Loss Invasive Species Pollution Siberian tiger Overharvesting

Habitat Change and Loss Lesson 7.2 Extinction and Biodiversity Loss Habitat Change and Loss ___________ cause of biodiversity loss Organisms, ______________________________, decline in population when the habitat changes. Ex. Clearing forests for logging or construction Greatest adapted to their habitat

Habitat Change and Loss Lesson 7.2 Extinction and Biodiversity Loss Habitat Change and Loss Fragmentation Habitat ___________________: Patches of _____________ habitat surrounded by ________________ habitat In general, _________ habitat fragments can support _________________ biodiversity than smaller fragments. Habitat change or destruction is the primary cause of population decline in more than ________ of threatened birds and mammals. suitable unsuitable larger greater 80%

Habitat Change and Loss Lesson 7.2 Extinction and Biodiversity Loss Habitat Change and Loss A few species can benefit from human induced habitat changes. These species tend to be ______________ and can become _______. Ex. ___________, __________________ & _____________. generalists pests Pigeons Grey Squirrels Cockroaches

Out-compete & displace Lesson 7.2 Extinction and Biodiversity Loss Invasive Species Out-compete & displace Invasive species can ____________________________ native species. Increase rapidly, spread and displace native species.

Pollution Poison Oil spills Lesson 7.2 Extinction and Biodiversity Loss Pollution Harmful chemicals and materials that make their way into habitats can __________ people and wildlife. Ex. Heavy metals, fertilizers, pesticides and _____________. Poison Oil spills

Illegal capture or killing Lesson 7.2 Extinction and Biodiversity Loss Overharvesting Occasionally, species can be driven toward extinction when humans _________, ____________ or ___________ a species faster than it can replenish its population. Poaching (____________________________) is one reason that the Siberian tiger is at risk for extinction. The parts from one tiger can be sold in the black market for approximately ____________. Hunt Fish Harvest Illegal capture or killing $15,000

Climate Change Possibly Potentially global Lesson 7.2 Extinction and Biodiversity Loss Climate Change Possibly ____________ becoming a factor in biodiversity loss Unlike the other factors, climate change will have a _______________________ effect on biodiversity. Potentially global

Lesson 7.3 Protecting Biodiversity Just 2.3% of the planet’s land surface is home to 50% of the world’s plant species and 42% of its vertebrate animal species.

The Endangered Species Act Lesson 7.3 Protecting Biodiversity The Endangered Species Act US Law __________ that protects biodiversity, passed in 1973 Has 3 major parts: 1) Forbids _________________ and ____________ from harming listed species and habitats 2) Forbids _____________________ made from listed species 3) Requires U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to maintain an ________________of endangered and threatened species, and to develop a __________________ for each listed species governments citizens Trade in products Official list Recovery plan

The Endangered Species Act Lesson 7.3 Protecting Biodiversity The Endangered Species Act Benefits Birds which were affected by ________ are no longer endangered Some species are still endangered but have stopped _______________ (40% of are now stable) Costs While trying to save the northern spotted owl, many __________________________because timber harvesting was prohibited in their area. Landowners worry that use of _________________ might be restricted to protect an endangered species. DDT Declining loggers lost their jobs private land

International Cooperation Lesson 7.3 Protecting Biodiversity International Cooperation Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES, 1975): Bans ___________________ trade in _________________of endangered species. Convention on Biological Diversity (1992): International treaty to conserve biodiversity and ensure its responsible _______________________ International body parts Use & distribution Ivory products, made from elephant tusks

Single-Species Approaches to Conservation Lesson 7.3 Protecting Biodiversity Single-Species Approaches to Conservation 1) Captive breeding programs: Raising and breeding organisms in controlled conditions, such as ______________________________ Zoos and Aquariums

Single-Species Approaches to Conservation Lesson 7.3 Protecting Biodiversity Single-Species Approaches to Conservation 2) Species Survival Plan (SSP): Program to save individual species, includes: ________________________________________________ Ex. Golden Lion Tamarins In the early 1970’s habitat fragmentation had decreased the number to ~______. Now there are nearly _____ in captivity & more than _____ have been released back into the wild. Captive breeding, education & research 200 500 150

Single-Species Approaches to Conservation Lesson 7.3 Protecting Biodiversity Single-Species Approaches to Conservation DNA 3) Cloning: Inserting _______ from an endangered species into a cultured egg cell with its nucleus removed then implanting eggs into mothers of closely ____________________ Most scientists __________________that this will prevent biodiversity loss since it does nothing to fix the issues such as ______________. Related Species do NOT believe Habitat loss

Ecosystem and Habitat Approaches Lesson 7.3 Protecting Biodiversity Ecosystem and Habitat Approaches 1) “Hotspot Approach” - focuses attention on areas where the __________________________________ can be protected with the ___________________. A Biodiversity Hotspot is an area that both supports an especially ________________of endemic species and in rapidly ______________________. Endemic – found ________________ in the world. Greatest Number of Species Least effort High number Losing biodiversity nowhere else

Ecosystem and Habitat Approaches Lesson 7.3 Protecting Biodiversity Ecosystem and Habitat Approaches Hotspots have: At least ________ plant species found nowhere else in the world Already lost ______ of their habitat as a result of __________ activity The 34 biodiversity hotspots are home to 50% of Earth’s plant species and 42% of terrestrial vertebrate species. 1500 70% Human

Ecosystem and Habitat Approaches Lesson 7.3 Protecting Biodiversity Ecosystem and Habitat Approaches 2) Economic Approaches - Many conservation efforts today attempt to balance __________________________________ with the __________________________________________: Debt-for-nature swap: Conservation organizations raise money to pay off a ______________________in return for improved __________________________. Conservation concession: Conservation organizations _________________________________________, instead of _______________________. protection of land and wildlife economic interests of local people Nation’s debt Conservation measures Buy the rights to conserve resources Harvesting them

Wildlife Corridors Habitat fragments Genetic diversity Lesson 7.3 Protecting Biodiversity Wildlife Corridors Wildlife Corridors: Connect _____________________ enabling once-isolated populations to interbreed Interbreeding increases ____________________. There is a current proposal to complete a 5000 mile long corridor in southeast Asia to rejoin pieces of tiger habitat. Habitat fragments Genetic diversity

Wildlife Corridors Cassowary Lesson 7.3 Protecting Biodiversity Wildlife Corridors Conservation biologists hope that a planned 250-km (150 mile) long corridor in Australia will enable the endangered southern _________________ to recover from population declines. Cassowary