16 June 2010 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 within populations 16 June 2010 Biodiversity.ppt

Benefits of Biodiversity Ecosystem functions 1-Ecosystem services Cleaning water, Cleaning air, Habitat & breeding areas for wildlife, … 2- Aesthetic and cultural benefits 16 June 2010 Biodiversity.ppt

Benefits of Biodiversity 3- @New food sources@ Grains, fruits, vegetables, meat, fish 16 June 2010 Biodiversity.ppt

Benefits of Biodiversity 4- @Medicines@ Plants Jellyfish & sea anemones Nudibranchs Marine slugs 16 June 2010 Biodiversity.ppt

Threats to Biodiversity Extinction and population reductions 1- Hunting and overharvesting Tiger Dodo Whales Sharks Habitat loss 16 June 2010 Biodiversity.ppt

Threats to Biodiversity Extinction and population reductions 2-Pollution 3-Climate change 4-Invasive species 16 June 2010 Biodiversity.ppt

Threats to Biodiversity Development often splits ecosystems into pieces, a process called habitat fragmentation, leaving habitat “islands.”

Threats to Biodiversity Island Biogeography Everyplace is an island 5- @Habitat fragmentation Smaller fragments hold fewer species@ 16 June 2010 Biodiversity.ppt

Protecting Biodiversity How can we protect biodiversity Stop overharvesting Sustainable yield Hunting & fishing laws (every state ?) in developing nations ? Protect habitat Refuges, parks, preserves Endangered Species Act 16 June 2010 Biodiversity.ppt

Protecting Biodiversity @Ecological “hotspots” Protection of habitat@ 16 June 2010 Biodiversity.ppt

What are some benefits to Biodiversity? Medicine Food Aesthetic views Services 11/12/2018

What are some threats to Biodiversity? Hunting Habitat fragmentation Pollution Invasive species Climate change 11/12/2018

Chapter 6 6.4 Meeting Ecological Challenges

Ecological Footprint The Ecological Footprint describes the total area of functioning land and water ecosystems needed both to provide the resources an individual or population uses and to absorb the wastes that individual or population generates. The per person use of resources in America is almost twice that in England, more than twice that in Japan, and almost six times that in China.

Ecology in Action @The future of the biosphere depends on our ecological footprints, global population growth, and technological development.@ Ecological research, properly collected, analyzed, and applied, can help us make decisions that will produce profoundly positive effects on the human condition.

Case Study #1: Atmospheric Ozone Between 20 and 50 kilometers above Earth’s surface, the atmosphere contains a relatively high concentration of ozone called the ozone layer. @By absorbing UV light, the ozone layer serves as a protective barrier@

Researching the Cause: CFCs @In 1974 a research team demonstrated that gases called chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) could damage the ozone layer.@ CFCs were once widely used as propellants in aerosol cans; ex: refrigerators, freezers, and air conditioners; and in the production of plastic foams.

Changing Behavior: Regulation of CFCs Once the research on CFCs was published and accepted by the scientific community, the rest was up to policymakers. 191 countries signed a major agreement, the Montreal Protocol, which stopped most uses of CFCs.

Case Study #2: Climate Change This increase in average temperature is called global warming There is much physical and biological evidence that has contributed to our current understanding of the climate change issue.

Physical Evidence Between 1906 and 2005, Earth’s average global temperature rose 0.74°C

Physical Evidence Sea level has risen since 1961 at a rate of 1.8 mm each year. This increase is caused by warmer water expanding and by melting glaciers, ice caps, and polar ice sheets. Satellite data confirm that arctic sea ice, glaciers, and snow cover are decreasing.

Researching the Cause: Models and Questions The IPCC report documents that concentrations of carbon dioxide and several other greenhouse gases have increased significantly over the last 200 years. Several kinds of data suggest this increase is due to the burning of fossil fuels, combined with the cutting and burning of forests worldwide. @This added carbon dioxide is strengthening the natural greenhouse effect, causing the biosphere to retain more heat.@

Possible Effects of Climate Change Some climate changes are likely to threaten ecosystems ranging from tundra and northern forests to coral reefs and the Amazon rain forest. Sea levels may rise enough to flood some coastal ecosystems and human communities. Some models suggest that parts of North America may experience more droughts during the summer growing season.

Changing Behavior: The Challenges Ahead The changes in behavior needed to cut back on greenhouse gas emissions will be major and will require input from economics and many other fields beyond biology. @Some changes will rely on new technology for renewable energy and more efficient energy use. @

What is the ozone layer and how was it being destroyed? Protective barrier against UV light Was being destroyed by CFCs 11/12/2018

What has been the cause of climate change? Deforestation Burning of fossil fuels 11/12/2018

What have we been doing to change? Cutting back on fossil Utilizing renewable energy sources 11/12/2018