By: David Chang & Steven Tran

 Three Components:  Genetic Diversity  Genetic Variety within all populations of a species  (Uniqueness)  Ecosystem Diversity  Variety of interactions within a community  (Number of niches and/or complex food web)  Species Richness  Number of different species in an ecosystem  (Wide range of species)

 3 Factors that hinder Bio-Diversity:  Habitat Destruction  Clearing Forests near lakes/rivers  Hunting  Ex: Fisheries or Keystone species  Reproductive Failure  Bald Eagles and DDT  Shells would break before the eagle is developed

 5 Reasons:  Ecosystem Services  Decomposition, Pollen Transfer, Soil Erosion Prevention (Mangrove Forests), etc.  Genetic Reserves  Super Strains: Using genetically diverse reserves to create pest resistance genes for plants.  Corn Blight solved by Super Strands from Mexico  Scientific Uses of Genetic Diversity  Genetic Engineering: incorporating genes of 1 organism to another. Ex: Bacteria that create insulin.

 Medicinal, Agricultural, and Industrial Usage  Medicinal: Plant derivatives can help prevent illness or disease. Ex: Turmeric, Herbal medicine, etc.  Agricultural: Substitutes for current crops. Ex: Quinoa tastes like rice but has more nutrients  Industrial: Organisms used in many products like: Oils, waxes, corks, wood, or transportation.  Aesthetic, Ethical, and Spiritual Value  Provides recreation, inspiration, and spiritual solace  Artists, Poets, Musicians are influenced by other organisms  Ethics: How humans perceive themselves to other organisms. Ex: Western and Deep Ecology Views

 1 - Habitat destruction, fragmentation, degradation  The biggest Factor  2 - Invasive species  3 - Pollution  4 - Overexploitation

 US Laws:  Endangered Species Act 1973  Bans the trading of products made from an endangered or threatened species.  Habitat Conservation Plan 1982  Allows private land owners to ‘take’ a species trespassing on their land. However, the owner must set aside land for the species to live in  Biological Resources Discipline 1993  An analysis on managing and conserving biological resources  Keeps tabs on biological resources

 International Policies:  CITES 1975  Bans the international trade and killing of endangered or threatened organisms.  World Conservation Strategy 1980  Encourage the sustainable use of resources and organisms internationally  IUCN, WWF, UN are involved  Biological Diversity Treaty “World Summit”  Mandated each nation to develop a conservation strategy to preserve bio diversity.

 Focuses on the continued productivity of plants and animals  Conservation Biology v.s. Wildlife Management  WM focuses on population control by habitat manipulation.  Prescribed Burns  Flyways  Commercial Fishing & Whaling Restrictions

 Prescribed Burns  Resets a land’s succession by burning down trees and plants to return soil nutrients.  Flyways  Strategic conservation of flyways involves protecting wetlands, rivers, etc. which are important resting, feeding, and breeding spots for migratory birds.  Commercial Fishing & Whaling  International Whaling Commission set annual limit on whaling (Didn’t work)  Moratorium in 1986 strictly limited whaling (It’s working)

 Increase Awareness  Support Research  Support Establishment of Parks  Limit Pollution  Provide Economic Incentives A.P.R.E.P.