BIODIVERSITY Def.- The total number of different species (plant/animal, etc…)within a given area Best Places for biodiversity- Rain Forests Worst places for biodiversity- Major Cities

Carrying Capacity Def.- the number of organisms of ONE species that an area can support An area can only have so many major predators Why? -not enough food -not enough space to live

Population Growth Within a given species, the population will grow constantly provided that there is: -enough food -enough space -no major disasters ---# OF SPECIMENS - ---TIME-

VANISHING SPECIES Due to loss of habitat (degradation) and some over-hunting of certain species Threatened Species -def- a species that is rapidly decreasing examples: African elephants, Panda Bears Endangered Species -def- a species that has populations close to extinction examples: Black Rhino, Manatees, California Condor

VANISHING SPECIES (CONTINUED) Extinct Species -def- a species that no longer exists on the planet examples: Dinosaurs, Do-Do bird, Tasmanian Tiger Exotic Species -def- A species that is not indigenous to an area (not supposed to be there) examples: Zebra mussels and Goby fish in Lake Erie

Types of Habitats (Biomes) Tundra -located north of the timberline -too cold for tree growth -grasses and mosses on ground -animals present: -reindeer, polar bears, flies -where in North America? -extreme Northern Canada

Types of Habitats (Biomes) Taiga -also called the Boreal Forest or Coniferous Forest -not quite as cold as tundra -dominated by pine trees -animals present: -moose, black bear, wolves -where in North America? -Alaska, Most of Canada

Types of Habitats (Biomes) Deciduous Forest -dominated by hardwood trees -Maple trees, Oak trees -animals present: -deer, squirrels, rabbits -where in North America? - Ohio and eastern U.S.

Types of Habitats (Biomes) Grasslands -not enough rainfall for trees to grow -land covered by tall grasses -animals present: -prairie dogs, bison, antelope -where in North America? -Kansas, Missouri, middle U.S.

Types of Habitats (Biomes) Deserts -extremely low rainfall -very few plant species -cactus, thin bushes -animals present: -reptiles, scorpions, spiders -where in North America? -Texas, New Mexico, Arizona

Types of Habitats (Biomes) Tropical Rain Forest -extremely high rainfall -lots of biodiversity in plant AND animal-life -soil too thin for growing crops though -tree canopy prevents good ground cover growth (mostly fern growth) -where in North America? -Southern Florida, Mexico

Special Adaptations for Species Adaptations are essential for survival in an environment Two basic types of adaptations: a.) Offensive adaptations -help capture food b.) Defensive adaptations -help avoid getting eaten by predators

Offensive Adaptations Special mouth parts to capture prey especially seen with insects, spiders and crustaceans -example: rhinoceros beetle, tarantula, mosquitoes and crayfish

Defensive Adaptations Camouflage -Cryptic coloration -blend in the environment examples: pepper moth, stick bug, leaf beetle, flounder fish Stinging Appendages -bees, flies, wasps

Ex. Monarch butterfly vs. Viceroy butterfly Batesian Mimicry -look like something else living that is harmful Ex. Monarch butterfly vs. Viceroy butterfly Ex. King snake vs. Coral snake BAD GOOD

Additional Adaptations Bioluminescence -def- an organisms ability to generate its own light (chemical light) -examples: -lightning bug -angler fish

Warning Coloration Def- the ability of an organism to warn off potential predators with the use of bright colors. -examples: Coral snake Poison arrow frog Monarch butterfly Garden spider Lion fish