Objective: How are humans impacting biodiversity? 9/26/14 Objective: How are humans impacting biodiversity? Do Now: What is the difference between a threatened and endangered species? (Finish video clip) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWBzwtVXzXc
Endangered Endangered in immediate danger of extincition .
Threatened A species that is likely to become endangered if it is not protected.
What is the #1 cause? Habitat destruction leads to species endangerment
What is biodiversity? Biodiversity: the total of genetically different organisms in an area A lot of biodiversity: Rainforest
What is biodiversity? Biodiversity: the total of genetically different organisms in an area litte biodiversity: corn field, desert How might low biodiversity effect the stability of an ecosystem?
Levels of Diversity Species diversity: # of different species in an area Ecosystem diversity: the variety of habitats, communities within an ecosystem Genetic Diversity: different genes within a population
Importance of Biodiversity
Keystone Species Keystone species: a species that has a major impact and role within an ecosystem. Without them the ecosystem will fall apart. Sea otter (Decrease Sea Otter Increase sea urchin-Decrease Kelp- Decrease Fish spawning http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3W4OCnHyCs (sea urchin) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xE1bRtl4aA (29 min)
Biodiversity Loss- Deforestation The clearing of land without replacing it
Hunting and Poaching Illegal trade of endangered animals Illegal poaching of animals for food, shelter, trophies Caspian Tiger- 1970 (Iran, Afghanistan, Turkey)
Biological Magnification DDT was eaten by insects, washed into soils and streams and passed through food webs.
Biological Magnification
What is biological magnification? Biological magnification: concentrations of harmful substances increase through a food chain/web DDT: harmful pesticide used during the 60s to kills insects that pray on crops. (Planet in Peril- body burden)
Invasive Species http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3N5t70aJ2A Invasive Species: Species introduced to a non-native area. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3N5t70aJ2A
Why is biodiversity important? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HSaAlPRN-c
Activity D = Douglas Fir N= Noble Fir C= Western Red Cedar M= Vine Maples H = Western Hemlocks W= White Fir L= Lodge pole pine WP= Western White Pines B= Bigleaf Maple WD= Western Dogwood
Species and Population Survival Lots of genetic diversity more likely to survive environmental change Bottleneck Effect: Population shrinks, genetic diversity decreases
Ethics, Aesthetics, and Ecotorism Species have a right to exist Ecotorism: Tourism created to support conservation sustainable development of ecologically diverse areas Rainforests Coral reefs Tundra
Nonrenewable Resources Nonrenewable resources: resources that cannot be replaced once they are used Examples: fossil fuels (gas, coal), minerals (silicon), metals for packaging Using too many nonrenewable resources will cause their depletion (reduction) Recall the Oil graphs
Renewable Resources Renewable resources: resources that can be replaced Examples: food, water, solar energy Increased consumption can stress the natural processes that renew some resources (ex. Fish)
Preserving our Resources How can we help maintain our supply of both renewable and nonrenewable resources? Reduce: avoid using resource (walk, bike, carpool) Reuse: Use product over and over (dishes, paper bags) Recycle: Discard in a way that it can be used again
Exponential Growth Due to: an increase in food production Population increases with each generation Due to: an increase in food production an increase in hygiene an increase in medicine and technology
Carrying Capacity Carrying Capacity: the maximum population an ecosystem can support.
Carrying Capacity is reached when… A species consumes a particular natural resource at the same rate at which the ecosystem produces the resource Limiting Factors: can be sunlight, water, food, space, mineral nutrients, oxygen, etc.
Carbon Footprint The amount of carbon emitted by you in your daily lives.