Biodiversity: Who cares?

Which do you like better? A B

A B

A B

A B

A B

AB

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 Example: 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

Diversity 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

Biodiversity 16 June 2010Biodiversity.ppt16 Variety of living things, number of kinds Variety of living things, number of kinds Ecological diversity Ecological diversity – different habitats, niches, species interactions Species diversity Species diversity – different kinds of organisms, relationships among species Genetic diversity Genetic diversity – different genes & combinations of genes within populations

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 16 June 2010Biodiversity.ppt24 Where is the biodiversity Where is the biodiversity Everywhere Everywhere Every continent and habitat has unique life forms Every continent and habitat has unique life forms Concentrated in the tropics Concentrated in the tropics Panama: > 500 species of breeding birds Panama: > 500 species of breeding birds Arctic: species Arctic: species Dense concentrations Dense concentrations

Benefits of Biodiversity / / / Ecosystem functions Ecosystem functions Ecosystem services Ecosystem services Cleaning water, Cleaning water, Cleaning air, Cleaning air, Habitat & breeding areas for wildlife, … Habitat & breeding areas for wildlife, … Aesthetic and cultural benefits Aesthetic and cultural benefits 16 June 2010Biodiversity.ppt25

Natural Resources Vital economic natural resources Vital economic natural resources Renewable Renewable Forests (plants, wildlife) Forests (plants, wildlife) Soils Soils Fresh water (lakes, rivers) Fresh water (lakes, rivers) Wildlife and fisheries Wildlife and fisheries Rangeland Rangeland Nonrenewable Nonrenewable Minerals Minerals Fossil Fuels Fossil Fuels 16 June 2010Biodiversity.ppt26

Benefits of Biodiversity New food sources New food sources – Grains, fruits, vegetables, meat, fish 16 June 2010Biodiversity.ppt27

Benefits of Biodiversity Medicines Medicines Plants Plants Jellyfish & sea anemones Jellyfish & sea anemones Nudibranchs Nudibranchs Marine slugs Marine slugs 16 June 2010Biodiversity.ppt28

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

Threats to Biodiversity Extinction and population reductions Extinction and population reductions Hunting and overharvesting Hunting and overharvesting Tiger Tiger Dodo Dodo Whales Whales Sharks Sharks Habitat loss Habitat loss 16 June 2010Biodiversity.ppt32

Threats to Biodiversity Extinction and population reductions Extinction and population reductions Pollution Pollution Climate change Climate change Invasive species Invasive species 16 June 2010Biodiversity.ppt33

Protecting Biodiversity June 2010Biodiversity.ppt34 How can we protect biodiversity How can we protect biodiversity Stop overharvesting Stop overharvesting Sustainable yield Sustainable yield Hunting & fishing laws (every state ?) Hunting & fishing laws (every state ?) in developing nations ? in developing nations ? Protect habitat Protect habitat Refuges, parks, preserves Refuges, parks, preserves Endangered Species Act Endangered Species Act

Protecting Biodiversity Refuges, parks, preserves Refuges, parks, preserves How big should refuges be? How big should refuges be? Where should they be? Where should they be? McArthur & Wilson “Theory of Island Biogeography” McArthur & Wilson “Theory of Island Biogeography” colonization rate colonization rate extinction rate (local) extinction rate (local) predicts number of species predicts number of species 16 June 2010Biodiversity.ppt35

Protecting Biodiversity Endangered Species Act (1973) Endangered Species Act (1973) Goal to “recover” species so they no longer need protection under ESA Goal to “recover” species so they no longer need protection under ESA Implements U.S. participation in CITES Implements U.S. participation in CITES “Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species” “Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species” Prohibits trade in listed species Prohibits trade in listed species whole organisms whole organisms parts: skins, bones, teeth, flowers, leaves, etc. parts: skins, bones, teeth, flowers, leaves, etc. Other laws: Other laws: Marine Mammal Protection Act Marine Mammal Protection Act Migratory Bird Treaty Act Migratory Bird Treaty Act Anadromous Fish Conservation Act Anadromous Fish Conservation Act etc. etc. 16 June 2010Biodiversity.ppt36

Protecting Biodiversity 16 June 2010Biodiversity.ppt37 Endangered Species Act (1973) Endangered Species Act (1973) Listing of “endangered” and “threatened” species Listing of “endangered” and “threatened” species Restricts development of habitats Restricts development of habitats Captive breeding programs Captive breeding programs Release of captive bred stocks to enhance or recover wild populations. Release of captive bred stocks to enhance or recover wild populations. ndangered/ ndangered/ ndangered/ ndangered/

Protecting Biodiversity 16 June 2010Biodiversity.ppt38 Biodiversity “hotspots” Biodiversity “hotspots” Protection of habitat Protection of habitat