Biodiversity Loss Presented by Jim Jackson Debbie Lynch

Biodiversity Loss CAUSES ETHICS SOLUTIONS Yes, that is the Carolina Parakeet.

Biodiversity Defined Species Diversity Differences between species Most often used to quantify biodiversity loss More studies completed in this area Presentation focus Population Diversity Size of overall population Size and Numbers of local populations Distribution Genetic makeup Better for analyzing biodiversity loss Rosy Periwinkle.

What is Natural? Average Species lives for 4 million years One mammal per 1000 years 80 mammals in 400 years One bird per 500 years 115 birds in 400 years One reptile or amphibian every 400 years 123 fish in 100 years (in America alone) Compared to…

Biodiversity Loss CAUSES Overexploitaion Invasive Species Habitat Loss

Biodiversity Loss CAUSES Overexploitation Death rate > Birth rate Steller’s Seacow –Hunted for profit/food Passenger Pigeon –Hunted as a pest

Biodiversity Loss CAUSES Invasive Species  Affects 49% of threatened or endangered species in America  10% rule: 10% of introduced species take, 10% of species that take become invasive  McDonaldization

Biodiversity Loss CAUSES Invasive Species  Linear relationship between diversity of species and landmass If the earth was a single landmass, we would lose 66% of mammal diversity & 48% bird diversity If the earth was a single landmass, we would lose 66% of mammal diversity & 48% bird diversity

Biodiversity Loss CAUSES Invasive Species  Predation  Ex: Cats vs. New Zealand ground birds

Biodiversity Loss CAUSES Invasive Species  Competition & Habitat Alteration  Ex: Knapweed!

Biodiversity Loss CAUSES Invasive Species  Hybridization  Ex. Native Mediterranean White Duck vs. more numerous Ruddy Duck + =

Biodiversity Loss CAUSES Invasive Species  Disease Vectors  Colonization of the Americas

Biodiversity Loss CAUSES Habitat Loss Affects 85% of threatened or endagered species in America Affects 85% of threatened or endagered species in America Area the size of South America is planted with crops Area the size of South America is planted with crops 175 billion pounds of nitrogen & tons of pesticide applied annually 175 billion pounds of nitrogen & tons of pesticide applied annually

Biodiversity Loss CAUSES Habitat Loss Logging forests Logging forests Overharvesting => habitat loss Overharvesting => habitat loss Water manipulation Water manipulation Damns, irrigation Damns, irrigation

Biodiversity Loss ETHICS Life is Sacred Economics Costs/Benefit $30 trillion worth of services Costs US $137 billion to fight invasive species annually Future Benefits Medicines It’s Cool

Biodiversity Loss SOLUTIONS Every Species Has Its Natural Environment Species that live in a specific area are ENDEMICS. Species that are capable of living in a variety of environments are GENERALISTS. Endemics are more likely to be affected by change.

Biodiversity Loss SOLUTIONS Protecting Biodiversity Priorities Econimically It is economically advantageous to protect biodiversity Ecologically By protecting biodiversity, it will prevent ecological problems Secondary Emotional Attachment By protecting nature for nature’s sake provides intrinsic value to biodiversity

Biodiversity Loss In Costa Rica, a preserve was established to preserve biodiversity for economic reasons Ecotourism Ecotourism Pharmaceuticals Pharmaceuticals SOLUTIONS Economical

Biodiversity Loss Keystone species are species that are crucial to the structure of the entire ecosystem. Without keystone species, ecosystems could not function well. SOLUTIONS Ecological

Biodiversity Loss First Lady Laura Bush has begun to restore their Crawford Texas ranch with native species of grasses. SOLUTIONS Intrinsic Value By restoring the native vegetation, Laura hopes to restore the natural habitat of a variety of species.

Biodiversity Loss In Situ Habitat Conservation Regulation of Land Use Protecting Species SOLUTIONS Methods of Preservation Ex Situ Captive Breeding Zoological Parks Botanical Gardens

Biodiversity Loss In designing the Irian Jaya reserves, the Indonesian government considers  Habitat  Biogeography  Area SOLUTIONS Irian Jaya’s Reserve System

Biodiversity Loss With an extremely small population, these ferrets were captured in order to reestablish a viable population. SOLUTIONS The Black Footed Ferret

Biodiversity Loss  Opportunity Costs SOLUTIONS Cost/Benefits of Protecting Biodiversity

Biodiversity Loss  Management  Maintenance  Future Benefits  Economic Value SOLUTIONS Opportunity Costs