Opening Question Why is biodiversity important?

Biodiversity 04

Which do you like better? Circa 1910 A B

Which do you like better? Sugar cane A B

What do you think biodiversity means?

Biodiversity What does “Bio” mean? Life Bio =

What does “Diversity” mean? Biodiversity What does “Diversity” mean? Diversity = Variety

“The variety of life in all its forms, levels and combinations” Includes: ecosystem diversity, species diversity, and genetic diversity

Scientists have identified more than 2 million species Scientists have identified more than 2 million species. Tens of millions -- remain unknown The tremendous variety of life on Earth is made possible by complex interactions among all living things.

There are 3 components of biodiversity Diversity of genes Chihuahuas, Greyhound and Newfies are all dogs—but they're not the same because their genes are different. Chihuahua Greyhound Newfoundland

There are 3 components of biodiversity Diversity of species. Hoary Bat Kahuli Iwi

There are 3 components of biodiversity Variety of ecosystems Each one is different, with its own set of species living in it. Tropical Rain Forest tiaga Desert

Biodiversity has Intrinsic Value Source: Burmbaugh © AMNH-CBC Intrinsic Value = Something that has value in and of itself

Biodiversity also has Utilitarian Value Utilitarian Value = the value something has as a means to another’s end. Utilitarian values include: Goods Services Information

What do we get from biodiversity? Oxygen Food Clean Water Medicine Aesthetics Ideas

Should we be concerned about biodiversity? What we know: The Earth is losing species at an alarming rate Some scientists estimate that as many as 3 species per hour are going extinct and 20,000 extinctions occur each year. when species of plants and animals go extinct, many other species are affected.

Threats to biodiversity HIPPO Dilemma Habitat Loss Introduced Species Pollution Population Growth Over-consumption

Biodiversity Hotspots

Total # of species recorded Quiz: Mammals Birds Fish Insects Flowering Plants Total # of species recorded Estimated Total # of species in the World 5,416 9,956 30,000 950,000 297,326 1,589,361 ~10 - 100 million species

Provide formal documentation of the world’s known biodiversity (living or dead) Museums, Zoos, Arboreta, Botanical Gardens, Public and Private Research Collections

Education Research Species distributions classification Conservation and recovery programs