Biodiversity Test Review

Biodiversity Why important

Importance of Biodiversity Increases resistance & resilience of ecosystem Less susceptible & quicker recovery Whether spread of disease, fire, drought, human disturbance Genetic diversity gives us more “raw material” New Pharmaceuticals – of top 150 prescription drugs, 118 are derived from natural sources: plants, bacteria, fungi, animals Agriculture / food sources - genes with new/advantageous traits Energy sources Consumer goods / manufacturing / technology Ecological services Recycling nutrients Pollinators Sequester CO2, release O2 Filter water Remove / decompose pollutants Aesthetic value / Ethical – intrinsic Critical for sustaining human life – yet often not considered

Biodiversity Definition 3 types Genetic Species Richness Evenness Ecosystem

Biodiversity A good indicator of health of ecosystem Higher biodiversity = more resistance & resilience If you damage an ecosystem – lower biodiversity

Biodiversity How does human development (building stuff) affect Biodiversity? Human development Fragments Alters REDUCES Biodiversity

Biodiversity Where does diversity come from? (result of what) Natural selection / evolution

Natural Selection & Evolution Natural Selection – Definition? Survival of the “fittest” Best adapted to environment Process – traits (through adaptations / mutations) that allow an organism to survive and reproduce If can’t adapt, what happens to species Extinction Natural background rate: 1 to 5 species per year

Natural Selection & Evolution Must have genotype in gene pool before it can be expressed (phenotype) – one reason biodiversity is important Large pop – has _larger_ gene pool – _more_ stable But small pop can change more quickly Pace of Evolution environmental change – fast or slow Genetic variation (gene pool) – a lot or little Pop size – large or small Generation (reproduce) time – quicker or slower

Evolution through Random Processes Artificial Selection Humans are breeding for desired traits Faster than natural selection Can result in “resistance” ex: bacteria that come resistant to antibiotics Evolution through Random Processes Genetic drift, bottle neck, and founders effect All 3 – small populations (regardless of cause) have less genetic diversity – smaller gene pool – less biodiversity More uniformity But more vulnerable

Niche Fundamental Abiotic factors Realized Biotic factors competition

Species Keystone Indicator Generalist Specialist Introduced Native Non-native Invasive Exotic K vs r Pioneer Endemic

Laws Endangered Species Act CITES – Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species Lacey Act Marine Mammal Protection Act NEPA – National Environmental Policy Act EIS – Environmental Impact Statement

Restoration & Conservation attempt to return ecosystems condition to original state Remediation & Rehabilitation return damaged ecosystem to a functional state by repair and reconstruction. Mitigation – reduces overall damage. If a wetland is destroyed in one area by highway construction, another area is restored Preservation – prevention strategy. Protect environment before damage occurs. Setting aside natural & undisturbed areas Five basic science-based principles for ecological restoration: 1. Identify cause. 2. Stop abuse by eliminating or sharply reducing factors. 3. Reintroduce species if necessary. 4. Protect area form further degradation. 5. Use adaptive management to monitor efforts, assess successes, and modify strategies.

Loss of Biodiversity HIPPCO H = I = P = C = O = Habitat Loss Invasive Species P = Population Growth (humans) Pollution C = Climate Change O = Overharvesting

Invasive Species Give 3 examples Why are they a problem / They lower biodiversity The can outcompete the native species This displaces / kills native species The can adapt very quickly to local habitats They have no/few natural predators They can reproduce very quickly Are they always a problem? By definition, yes Otherwise known as alien, nonnative, or exotic if no problem

Invasive Species Characteristics of an Invasive Species High biotic potential – intrinsic growth rate Hi reproductive rate / short generation time r-selected species Pioneer species, generalists, tolerate wide range of conditions High genetic diversity Adapt quickly Characteristics of a ecosystem vulnerable to Invasive Species Similar to original habitat No predators that will eat invasive species Low biodiversity Previously disturbed by humans

Threatened / Endangered Species Give several examples Why are the in danger Characteristics that make species vulnerable K species Low reproductive rate Specialized niche Limited range of tolerance Specific food source Needs stable environment Narrow distribution / rare / endemic High or top of food chain Fixed migratory pattern Requires large territory Commercially valuable to humans Low genetic diversity (small gene pool)

Threatened / Endangered Species IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List Which animals are most at risk Amphibians Threatened by invasive species All the previous characteristics listed Requires a big territory

Extinction Give several examples Why are they extinct Characteristics that make species vulnerable What is 6th mass extinction Why is fossil record incomplete Which animals are most at risk

Protecting Biodiversity Preserves Parks Metapopulations Corridors Gene flow Edge habitat Hot spots

Size, Shape, Connectedness of Protected areas Island of Biogeography Does it apply to land Corridors What are they, are they needed, what benefit Fragmentation Edge Habitat Beneficial? Biosphere Reserves

Protect Focus on species or habitat Hotspots vs broad cross-section Human demands on resources Reduce population growth / poverty Prevention vs restoration

Ecological Succession Primary Secondary Aquatic

Tragedy of the Commons Be prepared to explain & give examples