Chapter 7: Biodiversity and Conservation Mr. Manskopf Notes also are at http://www.manskopf.com

Chapter 10 Biodiversity Big Ideas There is a huge diversity of life on Earth that is critical to all species. . There are some factors about species that make them prone to extinction. Human activities are causing large numbers of species to go extinct.

Section 1: Our Planet of Life: What is biodiversity? How many species live on Earth? Describe the types of biodiversity. Explain why biodiversity is important. Terms: biodiversity, genes, keystone species, ecotourism

Why so many unknown? About 1.7 million species are known Estimates vary from greater than 10 million Why so many unknown?

Biodiversity Which species rule the world?

Biodiversity Biodiversity: the number of different species in a given area Tropical rain forests What factors lead to biodiversity?

Types of Biodiversity Species Biodiversity: number of different species in an area Ecosystem Diversity how many types of habitats in an area Genetic Diversity the number of genes in all members of a population

Types of Biodiversity Genetic diversity: Differences in DNA among individuals Species diversity: Variety of species in a given area Ecosystem diversity: Variety of habitats, ecosystems, communities

Ecosystem diversity often leads to species diversity and often genetic diversity

Did You Know? In general, biodiversity increases toward the equator.

Who cares about Biodiversity? A Variety of Answers

What is a gene? Gene: a piece of DNA code for a specific trait inherited Tall, short, brown eyes, etc. Genetic Diversity among corn

Benefits of Diversity Genetic Diversity Key To Survival small isolated populations unlikely to survive Genetic mutations from inbreeding can occur More diversity = more likely to survive

Why is genetic diversity important? Cavendish banana “ The fungus Fusarium oxysporum wiped out the previous species of bananas (the Gros Michel) in the 1950s. Now it’s back, having evolved to be able to take on the previously resistant “back-up” species of banana — the Cavendish — that replaced the superior Gros Michel banana after it was wiped out. “

Benefits of Diversity: Ecosystem Services Intact environments provide ecosystem services, such as water purification and pest control. High biodiversity increases stability of communities and ecosystems, enabling them to perform services. Stable ecosystems are resistant and resilient.

Benefits of Diversity Keystone Species: species that is critical to ecosystem survival Sea otter Grey Wolf Beaver

Keystone Species Food Web Depends Upon Krill

Benefits of Diversity Medical, Industrial, Agricultural uses Food, cloths, shelter, chemicals and medicine often comes from variety of organisms See table 1 pages 261

Medical Medicine: Organisms contain compounds that are useful for treating disease. The yew tree, an original source of Taxol, a cancer-fighting drug Did You Know? Of the 150 most prescribed drugs in the United States, 118 originated in nature.

Benefits of Biodiversity Ethics, Aesthetics and Recreation Moral, religious purposes for all species Personal enjoyment Dolphin Tour Off NJ Beaches

Benefits of Biodiversity Ecotourism: tourisms that supports conservation Wildlife, birding, wilderness hiking People make $ by having people view wildlife

Section 1 Review How many species live on Earth? Describe the types of biodiversity. Explain why biodiversity is important. Terms: biodiversity, genes, keystone species, ecotourism

Section 2: Biodiversity at Risk What does it mean when a species is threatened or endangered? What makes some species more prone to extinction? What are the largest threats to biodiversity? What areas are likely to have high biodiversity? Terms: endangered species, threatened species, exotic species, endemic species, poaching

Biodiversity has increased over time, but mass extinctions are also natural events (5 major events) How do we get this data?

Extinctions Species gone forever NORMAL Mass Extinction: short period of time when large number of species go extinct (65 MYA) Currently in mass extinction…caused by humans Rapid climate change

There have been five mass extinctions in Earth’s history. Each time, more than 1/5 of all families and 1/2 of all species have gone extinct.

Biodiversity at Risk The current extinction rate is 100 to 1000 times greater than the natural background rate. In 2009, 1321 species in the U.S. were classified as endangered or threatened. Endangered: At serious risk of extinction Threatened: Likely to become endangered soon through all or part of its range

Extinctions Certain traits make some species more vulnerable: Small populations Specialized Need large range Migration Valuable to humans

Species squeezed into smaller and smaller fragmented habitat

Current Extinctions Endangered Species: is likely to go extinct if actions not taken Threatened: population declining and likely to become endangered

Current Extinctions TNC estimates 1/3rd of 21,000 identified U.S. animal and plant species are vulnerable. 30,000 of the world’s species and 1,200 in U.S. are officially endangered.

Types of endangered species worldwide

How do humans cause extinctions? “HIPPO” Habitat destruction Invasive species Population (humans) growth Pollution Overharvesting

Habitat Loss/Fragmentation

Habitat Fragmentation Habitat fragmentation: Patches of suitable habitat surrounded by unsuitable habitat In general, larger habitat fragments can support greater biodiversity than smaller fragments

Humans Causing Extinctions Habitat Destruction causes 75-80% Large creatures need lot of land Invasive Species: exotic species not native to area can destroy an ecosystem

Invasive Species Invasive species can out-compete and displace native species.

CA Agricultural Checkpoints Invasive Species CA Agricultural Checkpoints

Humans Causing Extinction Over-harvesting excessive hunting (bison in U.S., fish) Poaching: illegal hunting Common in poor countries for food, medicines, income Pollution air, water, land

Causes of Extinction Climate Change Increasingly becoming a factor in biodiversity loss Unlike the other factors, climate change will have a potentially global effect on biodiversity.

Areas of Critical Biodiversity Hotspots: areas threatened that contain high biodiversity Roughly 25 worldwide Madagascar Parts of California

Hotspots Large numbers of endemic species: species native to that area

US Hotspots

Areas of Critical Biodiversity Tropical Rain Forests Coral Reefs Coastal Ecosystems Islands Why these areas????

Just 2.3% of the planet’s land surface is home to 50% of the world’s plant species and 42% of its vertebrate animal species.

Section 2 Review What does it mean when a species is threatened or endangered? What makes some species more prone to extinction? What are the largest threats to biodiversity? What areas are likely to have high biodiversity? Terms: endangered species, threatened species, exotic species, endemic species, poaching

Section 3: Future of Biodiversity List and describe efforts to save individual species. Explain the advantages of protecting entire ecosystems rather than individual species. Describe the main parts of the Endangered Species Act. Terms: Endangered Species Act, habitat conservation plans, CITES

Saving Individual Species Captive Breeding Programs: breeding species in captivity with hopes of reintroducing into native habitats Germ Plasm: saving genetic material for possible future use (seeds, eggs, DNA) Zoos and Aquariums

Saving Individual Species Does little to preserve species Captive individuals may not survive in wild Small populations have difficult time with inbreeding, diseases Last resorts

Preserving Habitat and Ecosystems Most effective way to save a species is protect its habitat. Some species require large areas What about when they leave protected areas? (Wolves in Yellowstone

Legal Protections Many countries have laws to protect wildlife Some weak some strong U.S. law Endangered Species Act (ESA)

ESA Endangered Species Act Passed 1973 Protect plant and animals in danger of extinction List created of those threatened and endangered Currently 1,300+ listed

ESA Forbids governments and citizens from harming listed species and habitats Forbids trade in products made from listed species

ESA Protects listed species from harm No development that harms listed species What does that all mean? Can a Shopping Mall be built where listed species lives? Spotted Owl

ESA Species recovery plan must be made Habitat Conservation Plans: plans to protect species habitat Why do you think ESA may be controversial? Who would not like this law?

ESA ESA: 1973-2004: 92 to 1,300+ species listed 37 Species removed (14 recovery, 8 extinctions, rest discovered more) 60% plants, 40% animals TNC says 1/3rd of all U.S. species…30,000 not 1,260 NJ ESA List http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/tandespp.htm

Wildlife Corridors Connect habitat fragments enabling once-isolated populations to interbreed Interbreeding increases genetic diversity.

Yellowstone to Yukon

Internationally CITES (Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species) illegal to trade endangered species Ivory Tusks

Internationally Much more difficult among may poorer countries International treaties hard to ratify, verify Oceans of particular concern http://animal.discovery.com/tv/whale-wars/

Section 3 Review List and describe efforts to save individual species. Explain the advantages of protecting entire ecosystems rather than individual species. Describe the main parts of the Endangered Species Act. Terms: Endangered Species Act, habitat conservation plans, CITES

Chapter 10 Biodiversity Review There is a huge diversity of life on Earth that is critical to all species. . There are some factors about species that make them prone to extinction. Human activities are causing large numbers of species to go extinct.