Unit 8-Environmental Science Chapter 6.3-Biodiversity

What is Biodiversity? The total variation in all organisms in the biosphere Three levels: Ecosystem Diversity: variation in habitat and ecological processes Species Diversity: the number of different species in the biosphere Genetic Diversity: different genetic information carried by a particular species

Biodiversity and Medicine

Biodiversity and Agriculture

Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services

Threats to Biodiversity When humans reduce genetic diversity we reduce species diversity When humans reduce environmental diversity we reduce species diversity We do this by altering habitats, hunting, introducing invasive species, polluting food webs, and contributing to climate change

Threats to Biodiversity Altered Habitats Complete destruction of habitat Habitat fragmentation: splitting ecosystems into pieces Makes species more vulnerable Hunting Many species killed for food, money, and medicine

Threats to Biodiversity Introduced (Invasive) Species Pollution Climate Change

Conserving Biodiversity Protecting individual species Species survival plans (SSPs) Preserving habitats and ecosystems National parks Marine sanctuaries Ecological hotspots: a place where significant numbers of species and habitats are in danger Considering local human interests Tax credits Tourism Carbon credits