BIODIVERSITY An introduction to biodiversity. Summer 2010 Workshop in Biology and Multimedia for High School Teachers

Contents Overview of Biodiversity Overview of Biodiversity o Definition o How to measure o Importance o Factors affecting it Promoting Promoting Threats Threats o Conserving Biodiversity Life Sciences-HHMI Outreach. Copyright 2009 President and Fellows of Harvard College. Harvard University Life Sciences - HHMI Outreach Summer 2010 Workshop for Biology Teachers

Biodiversity Definitions Definitions o Basic: Variation of life in an area Variation of life in an area o Global: from the UN Convention on Biological Diversity “Variability among living organisms from all sources, including, inter alia, terrestrial, marine, and other aquatic ecosystems, and the ecological complexes of which they are part: this includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems.” “Variability among living organisms from all sources, including, inter alia, terrestrial, marine, and other aquatic ecosystems, and the ecological complexes of which they are part: this includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems.” Harvard University Life Sciences - HHMI Outreach Summer 2010 Workshop for Biology Teachers

Biodiversity Definitions Definitions o Let’s make our own definition: The variation of living things either within a population, between populations or within an ecosystem(s). The variation of living things either within a population, between populations or within an ecosystem(s). o Biodiversity takes into account the variation of Species diversity Species diversity Ecosystem diversity Ecosystem diversity Genetic diversity Genetic diversity Molecular diversity Molecular diversity Harvard University Life Sciences - HHMI Outreach Summer 2010 Workshop for Biology Teachers

Measurement Any measurement of biodiversity needs to take into account: Any measurement of biodiversity needs to take into account: o Species Richness The number of species in a given area The number of species in a given area o Species Evenness The amount of individuals within each of those species The amount of individuals within each of those species A high biodiversity measurement = Good Ecosystem health A high biodiversity measurement = Good Ecosystem health Harvard University Life Sciences - HHMI Outreach Summer 2010 Workshop for Biology Teachers

Measurement Example Simpson Index Simpson Index o Simple Index to use o Compares the # of species of a population to the total populations Diversity= (number of one species/total number of species) 2 OR D=(n/N) 2 Harvard University Life Sciences - HHMI Outreach Summer 2010 Workshop for Biology Teachers

Importance-Ecological A healthy ecosystem: A healthy ecosystem: o Recycles nutrients o Purifies water o Habitat for organisms o Recover and withstands disasters From disease or climate From disease or climate Harvard University Life Sciences - HHMI Outreach Summer 2010 Workshop for Biology Teachers

Importance-Humans A healthy ecosystem provides: A healthy ecosystem provides: o Agriculture A greater variety of crops allow for a system-wide recovery when attacked and help to slow the spread of pathogens A greater variety of crops allow for a system-wide recovery when attacked and help to slow the spread of pathogens Harvard University Life Sciences - HHMI Outreach Summer 2010 Workshop for Biology Teachers o Medicine 50%of drugs in the US are derived from biological resources 80% of medicine worldwide is from biological sources From:Chivian E. & Bernstein A. (eds), Sustaining Life: How Human Health Depends on Biodiversity Rosy Periwinkle Fights Cancer

Importance-Humans A healthy ecosystem provides: A healthy ecosystem provides: o Industry Building materials Building materials Fibers Fibers Oils Oils Dyes Dyes o Leisure Outdoor activities Outdoor activities Harvard University Life Sciences - HHMI Outreach Summer 2010 Workshop for Biology Teachers

Biodiversity Distribution Biodiversity depends on: Biodiversity depends on: o Climate o Altitude o Soil o Other species Harvard University Life Sciences - HHMI Outreach Summer 2010 Workshop for Biology Teachers The Chocolate Lily is endemic to California Biodiversity Hot Spots o Tropical Forest o High level of endemic species o Specialized habitats Softleaf Indian Paintbrush

Biodiversity Distribution Myers, N., et al. (2000) "Biodiversity hotspots for conservation priorities." Nature 403:853–858

Species numbers 1.9 million species found to date 1.9 million species found to date Difficult to measure total numbers of species because: Difficult to measure total numbers of species because: o Only know a portion already o Little understanding of our world o Wiping out species at an unprecedented rate dangeredspecies dangeredspecies o Extinct species not found o Habitats not accessible Olm Cave Bacteria Harvard University Life Sciences - HHMI Outreach Summer 2010 Workshop for Biology Teachers

Current species discovered vs. those yet to be discovered Harvard University Life Sciences - HHMI Outreach Summer 2010 Workshop for Biology Teachers

Threats Means of decreasing biodiversity Means of decreasing biodiversity Major threats are: Major threats are: o Habitat destruction o Invasive species o Pollution Environment Environment Genetic Genetic o Overuse of natural resources o Climate change Harvard University Life Sciences - HHMI Outreach Summer 2010 Workshop for Biology Teachers

Loss of biodiversity Harvard University Life Sciences - HHMI Outreach Summer 2010 Workshop for Biology Teachers Great Aletsch Glacier in Switzerland showing a retreat of the ice

Loss of biodiversity Old Growth Second Growth Harvard University Life Sciences - HHMI Outreach Summer 2010 Workshop for Biology Teachers

Loss of biodiversity Golden Toad Pyrenean Ibex Baiji Dolphin Extinct 1989 Extinct 2000 Extinct 2006 Harvard University Life Sciences - HHMI Outreach Summer 2010 Workshop for Biology Teachers

Conservation Ideas to save biodiversity What’s your plan? Harvard University Life Sciences - HHMI Outreach Summer 2010 Workshop for Biology Teachers