Biodiversity: Who cares?

Which is more interesting? A B

A B

A B

? Which is more interesting ? A B

A B

AB Which is more interesting ?

AB

What do you think biodiversity means?

Bio = Bio diversity What does “ Bio ” mean?

Diversity = Variety What does “ Diversity ” mean?

Biodiversity is the variety of life on Earth and the essential interdependence of all living things 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 including microscopic species like algae and mites.

There are 3 components of biodiversity 1. Diversity of genes Chihuahuas, beagles, and rottweilers are all dogs—but they're not the same because their genes are different. Chihuahua Beagle Rottweilers

Diversity of species For example, monkeys, dragonflies, and meadow beauties are all different species. Saki Monkey Golden SkimmerMeadow Beauty There are 3 components of biodiversity

Variety of ecosystems Prairies, Ponds, and tropical rain forests are all ecosystems. Each one is different, with its own set of species living in it. Paines Prairie Hoh Rain Forest Florida Sand hill Pond There are 3 components of biodiversity

Which is more diverse? A B

A B

A B

A B

A B Which has more cultural diversity?

Which has more biodiversity? AB

AB

Biodiversity has Intrinsic Value 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? OxygenFood Clean Water MedicineAestheticsIdeas

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. 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. when species of plants and animals go extinct, many other species are affected.

Threats to biodiversity Habitat destruction Pollution Species Introductions Global Climate Change Exploitation

Endangered Species Don’t let them disappear forever.

1800’s- one flock of passenger pigeons = 2 million birds one flock 10 miles wide, took three days to fly overhead-over one BILLION birds passenger pigeon extinct

This is a photo of a pile of bison skulls from Bison were shot from trains as sport, and slaughtered to starve Native Americans.

Hunter with wolf pelts

Eventually, all species either become extinct or evolve into another species. However, there is a mass extinction occurring right now. It is estimated that species go extinct each day! This extinction is very different from previous extinctions because it is happening at a faster rate and habitat is being destroyed. This prevents new species from evolving.

There are 3 types of extinction. 1. local extinction- occurs when a species is no longer found in an area, but is found elsewhere ex. Mexican gray wolves 2. ecological extinction- occurs when there are so few individuals of a species left, that they cannot perform their ecological role (niche) ex. California condor 3. biological extinction- occurs when a species is no longer found on the Earth ex. Dodo bird, passenger pigeon

Indicator species- a species that serves as early warning that an ecosystem is in trouble -ex. Frogs, lichens

Species headed for extinction are categorized as threatened or endangered. Threatened- the species is still abundant, but is declining in numbers and may become endangered Breeding bird survey data from 1966 to 2000 show a significant decline of 2.7 percent annually for Painted Bunting across its North American breeding range

Endangered- has so few individuals that it may become extinct over all or most of its natural range Pink river dolphin

Some species have characteristics that make them more likely to become extinct. 1. low reproductive rates-only one or two offspring 2. large size

3. small initial population size 4. have high economic value to people

5. have a specialized niche (role) in the environment ex. Rhinos, whales, elephants, tigers, pandas Awwwwwwwwwwww

Why should we save species? 1. help prevent the collapse of an ecosystem 2. many medicines come from wild plants

Experts estimates that we are losing 137 plant, animal and insect species every single day due to rainforest deforestation. That equates to 50,000 species a year. As the rainforest species disappear, so do many possible cures for life-threatening diseases. Currently, 121 prescription drugs sold worldwide come from plant-derived sources. While 25% of Western pharmaceuticals are derived from rainforest ingredients, less than 1% of these tropical trees and plants have been tested by scientists.

The U.S. National Cancer Institute has identified 3000 plants that are active against cancer cells. 70% of these plants are found in the rainforest. Twenty-five percent of the active ingredients in today's cancer- fighting drugs come from organisms found only in the rainforest.

3. 90% of food crops were developed from wild tropical plants 4. Wild organisms are a source of beauty and wonder. More that 3 times the money was spent to watch wildlife than all sporting events combined or on movies.

At least 80% of the developed world's diet originated in the tropical rainforest. Its bounty includes fruits like avocados, coconuts, figs, oranges, lemons, grapefruit, bananas, guavas, pineapples, mangos and tomatoes; vegetables including corn, potatoes, rice, winter squash and yams; spices like black pepper, cayenne, chocolate, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, sugar cane, tumeric, coffee and vanilla and nuts including Brazil nuts and cashews.

At least 3000 fruits are found in the rainforests; of these only 200 are now in use in the Western World. The natives of the rainforest use over 2,000.

5. Eco-tourism generates important money for developing countries. Ex. In Kenya, one male lion living to 7 years old will generate $515,000 in tourist dollars. If it is killed, its skin is worth only about $1,000.

Why are so many species in trouble? 1. Habitat loss and destruction- this is the number one reason for the reduction in numbers - as the human population increases and moves into new areas, habitat is changed crops are planted, woods are cut down, animal are hunted, etc.

2. Habitat fragmentation- continuous tracks of forests, wetlands, and prairies are developed in a way that leaves only patches of undeveloped land. The patches may be too small to support a species or development stops migrations ex. There are birds in the Amazon that will not cross a road

3. poverty- economic reasons force people to poach animals and plants or forces them into more undeveloped habitat - A mountain gorilla is worth $150,000, a chimpanzee $50,000, rhino horn is worth $13,000 per pound, and a tiger’s body parts are worth as much as $5 million!

4. pollution- air, land and water pollution weaken or kill species - amphibians are very vulnerable and coral reefs have been impacted each year tens of thousands of sea creatures die as a result of plastics

5. introduction of non-native species- some organisms have been introduced to a new area and have no natural predators. They soon out- compete the native species. Ex. Trout at Lees Ferry, Kudzu, striped zebra mussels, Africanized honey bees, cattle, pigs, rats, fire ants - Damages and pest controls cost $138 billion per year! 42% of the species on the endangered species list in the U.S. are there because of non native species!

6. climate change- as the temperatures change, habitat is altered ex. Plants bloom at different times, ice melts, migrations occur at different times, oceans warm and corals die

7. market for exotic pets and plants- many animals are smuggled into the U.S. each year. More than ½ die during transportation. The U.S. accounts for more than 30% of all illegal trade in wildlife. - saltwater fish are caught using cyanide to stun them. Many die, as do other fish that were not being caught. Animal smuggling is estimated to be a $15 billion a year enterprise

Suitcases full of exotic ‘pets’

This vest held over 60 eggs of endanger ed birds.

8. Overfishing- More than 60% of the 200 commercial species are being over fished or are at the brink of being over fished. - In 1980, there were over 1,000,000 blue fin tuna, now there are less than 20,000 - One blue fin tuna can cost $83,000 Current fishing techniques take too many fish at once and kill many other species. Drift nets can be 40 miles long and 50 feet wide.

How can species be protected? 1. protect entire ecosystems- this is the most effective way to save endangered species because food webs and biogeochemical cycles can be left intact

2. protect critical habitat- this includes breeding and feeding grounds ex. Wildlife refuges and preserves

3. create laws- this is not very effective - Many species migrate and are not protected in other countries - Punishments are not severe - There are too few people act as police

4. breeding programs- zoos and wildlife reserves are exchanging breeding animals to try to keep the species alive - The Phoenix Zoo participates in several programs including: Arabian Oryx, cheetah, rhino, and golden lion tamarin

5. reintroduction- breeding programs release animals into suitable habitat California condor, Arabian Oryx This frequently does not work!!! Rare animals are often poached.

1. 6. gene banks- biologists are collecting sperm, egg, and tissue sample to help preserve species in the future - extremely expensive and may not work well

Three main laws protecting wildlife: The Lacey Act- prohibits the transport of live or dead animals or their parts across state borders. Permits are required.

2. The Endangered Species Act- it is illegal for Americans to import or trade in any product made from an endangered species unless it is used for an approved scientific purpose

1. 3. C.I.T.I.E.S- Convention on International Trade In Endangered Species - -international law to protect endangered species - -only ratified by 145 countries - -not all countries participate - - member countries can exempt themselves from protecting certain species (Japan and whales) - -fines are small - -enforcement is not consistent

What can you do? Volunteer time with organizations that help support biodiversity. Contribute money to organizations that help endangered species. Be sure to check to see how much money is going to help the species verses administrative costs. Reduce the amount of things you purchase. They require materials that may be collected by destroying habitats. Be aware of the kinds of fish you eat. Many are currently being overfished.