Biodiversity & Human Impact 5.1-5.3

Think about it: Is Montville more diverse than a rainforest? 5.1 - What is biodiversity? Variety of life in an area that is determined by the number of different species in that area Think about it: Is Montville more diverse than a rainforest?

Currently there are 1.8 million identified species! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GK_vRtHJZu4 Currently there are 1.8 million identified species!

Biodiversity Increases stability of an ecosystem Contributes to health of biosphere Three types of Biodiversity: Genetic diversity Species diversity Ecosystem diversity

Genetic Diversity The variety of genes or inheritable characteristics that are present in a population

More of different types of species live closer to the equator! 2. Species Diversity The number of different species and the relative abundance of each species in a biological community More of different types of species live closer to the equator!

The variety of ecosystems that are present in the biosphere 3. Ecosystem Diversity The variety of ecosystems that are present in the biosphere

Why Biodiversity is so important? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tgNamjTRkk Why Biodiversity is so important? Economic value to humans Plants and animals provide us food, clothing, energy, medicine, and shelter 2. Source of desirable genes for the future ex: If crops have little genetic diversity and all of them are lacking resistance to disease, disease could wipe them out Genetic engineering! 3. Medicines come from various plants/organisms

Indirect Economic Value 1. A healthy biosphere provides many services to humans and other organisms that live on Earth 2. Green plants provide oxygen to the atmosphere and remove carbon dioxide 3. Natural processes provide drinking water that is safe for human use. An economic study revealed that improving the biodiversity in the ecosystem would help clean NYC water supply and would be less expensive than using technology to perform the same service.

THINK - PAIR -SHARE 1. GIVE A BRIEF DEFINITION, IN YOUR OWN WORDS, OF “BIODIVERSITY.”   2. LIST THE THREE DIFFERENT KINDS OF BIODIVERSITY. 3. WHAT PARTS OF THE EARTH HAVE THE GREATEST BIODIVERSITY? 4. WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DIVERSITY AND LATITUDE?

DO NOW: Why are bees dying? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqA42M4RtxE

Extinction → An entire species permanently disappearing from earth Background extinction: the gradual process of a species becoming extinct Mass extinction: a large percentage of living species going extinct in a relatively short period of time

Most Recent Extinctions

Lack Natural Resources & Overexploitation Evolving species avoiding extinction and trying to adapt may not have the resources they need to survive. Destruction and disruption of habitats are caused by humans. Overexploitation: Excessive use of species that have economic value Ex: White rhinoceros = extinct Hunted for their horns, which were sold for medicinal purposes

Natural Resources All materials and organisms found in the biosphere, including minerals, fossil fuels, nuclear fuels, plants, animals, soil, clean water, clean air, and solar energy.

Pollution

Biomagnification The increasing concentration of toxic substances in organisms as the trophic levels increase in the food chain/web.

Biomagnification cont. DDT - found in pesticides PCBs - used insulates electrical equipment Mercury -used in meteorological equipment

Eutrophication Occurs when fertilizers, animal waste, sewage, or other nitrogen/phosphorous rich compounds flow into waterways, causing extensive algae growth. Algae use the oxygen supply during their rapid growth, thus causing organisms in the water to suffocate Algae can also release toxins Human activities have accelerated the rate

Question: How much DDT will the 1 eagle accumulate? DO NOW: 2 4 1 20 There are 20 blades of grass and each blade of grass has 10 ppm of DDT. All the animals at each level eat evenly. Question: How much DDT will the 1 eagle accumulate?

Acid Rain Sulfur and nitrogen compounds react with water and other substances in the air to form sulfuric acid and nitric acid Acid precipitation removes calcium, potassium, and other nutrients from the soil, depriving plants of these nutrients.

Nonnative species that are either intentionally or unintentionally transported to a new habitat. Usually becomes an “invasive species”. Introduced Species Example: The gypsy moth was accidentally brought over from Europe/Asia to Boston Devastating forest pests; feeds mostly on oak trees Think about it: Have you ever traveled out of the country and they are strict about bringing back plants/ food / etc?

Renewable Resources vs. Nonrenewable Resources

Renewable Resources vs. Nonrenewable Resources Solar energy Wind energy Hydropower Biomass Geothermal energy Fossil fuels Crude Oil Nuclear fuels (uranium) Propane

Sustainability Using resources at a rate in which they can be replaced or recycled while preserving the long-term environmental health of the biosphere.

Protecting Biodiversity Many National Parks have become protected under law Currently, about 7% of the world's land is set aside as some type of reserve

Bioremediation The use of living organisms, such as prokaryotes, fungi, or plants, to detoxify a polluted area

Biological augmentation Adding natural predators to a degraded ecosystem Example: Ladybugs added to an ecosystem to control aphid populations

What is your carbon footprint? Go to my teacher page under Ecology

Human Impact Project - Decline in Saltwater Fish Populations