Bi 6a 16 June 2010Biodiversity.ppt1

 Biodiversity: is a term we use to describe the variety of life on Earth. It refers to the wide variety of ecosystems and living organisms: animals, plants, their habitats and their genes. 16 June 2010Biodiversity.ppt2

1.7—2.0 million species identified Estimate :5-30 million 16 June 2010Biodiversity.ppt3

Species Rich Tropical Rainforest Coral Reef Large Tropical Lakes Tropical Dry Habitat Species Poor Polar regions Deserts Open Oceans 16 June 2010Biodiversity.ppt4

▪ High levels of biodiversity in tropical regions Panama: > 500 species of breeding birds ▪ Arctic: species ▪ Dense concentrations 16 June 2010Biodiversity.ppt5

 1. Energy  2. Area  3. Long-term stability  4. Temp & Precipitation  5. Competition and specialization 16 June 2010Biodiversity.ppt6

Ecological diversity – different habitats, niches, species interactions Species diversity – different kinds of organisms, relationships among species Genetic diversity – different genes & combinations of genes within populations 16 June 2010Biodiversity.ppt7

 Food and energy security Increased diversity of genes within species e.g. as represented by livestock breeds or strains of plants, reduces risk from diseases and increases potential to adapt to changing climates.  Shelter  Medicine 70,000 plant species used in traditional and modern medicine 16 June 2010Biodiversity.ppt8

Ecosystem services: a service people obtain from the environment. Ecosystem services are the transformation of natural assets (soil, plants and animals, air and water) into things that we value. The value of global ecosystem services is estimated at $16-$64 trillion Ex. Declining honeybees-> pollination loss 16 June 2010Biodiversity.ppt9

 Genetic diversity is important in terms of evolution.  The loss of individuals,populations, and species decreases the variety of genes—the material needed for species and populations to adapt to changing conditions or for new species to 16 June 2010Biodiversity.ppt10

 the diversity of nature cannot support the current pressure that humanity is placing on the planet.  70% of coral reefs are threatened or destroyed.  18,788 species out of 52,017 so far assessed are threatened with extinction.  1,895 of the planet’s 6,285 amphibians are in danger of extinction, making them the most threatened group of species known to date. 16 June 2010Biodiversity.ppt11

 Extinction and population reductions  Hunting and overharvesting ▪ Tiger ▪ Dodo ▪ Whales ▪ Sharks  Habitat loss -> human activity, population growth population decreases can’t predict what will happen 16 June 2010Biodiversity.ppt12

Loss or decline of species-> loss of biodiversity  Eliminating coyotes in Southern California- >decrease in bird population Bird eggs->raccoon-> coyote 16 June 2010Biodiversity.ppt13

 Disrupt entire ecosystems and decrease population of native species  Predators  Infect -> pathogens  Competition 16 June 2010Biodiversity.ppt14

 aircraft and air cargo  Ship hulls, ballast water and ship cargo  hand-carrry/luggage  Mail  pet trade  botanical gardens  agriculture 16 June 2010Biodiversity.ppt15

 Brown Tree Snakes introduced to Guam in the 1950s. In less than 20 years they decimated bird, bat and lizard populations.  On Guam--Caused one power outage every four days  Estimated cost to Hawaii: $123 million 16 June 2010Biodiversity.ppt16

Economic (direct & indirect)  Agricultural revenues = $300 million/year  Miconia in 2001 = Over $3 million  Salvinia = Over $1 million  Termite damage in 1995 = $150 million/year  Cost of safeguarding tourism = Priceless($18.9 billion at risk from biting sand flies, malaria and more) 16 June 2010Biodiversity.ppt17

 Pollution-> affects all levels of biodiversity  Global climate change- > changes environmental conditions. Species and population may be lost if they are unable to adapt to new conditions or relocate 16 June 2010Biodiversity.ppt18

Much of the world's tropical rain forests are disappearing, resulting in a loss of habitat. What is one possible effect of this habitat reduction?  A. a decrease in biodiversity in the area  B. an increase in oxygen in the atmosphere  C. a decrease in land available for human use  D. an increase in the number of species in the area 16 June 2010Biodiversity.ppt19

Nearly all of the fifty largest cities in the United States are located on the coastlines, major lakes, and rivers. The population growth of these cities has changed many wetlands that were a part of this environment. Which of these conditions is the DIRECT result of this alteration of wetland habitats?  A. increased stability  B. increased speciation  C. decreased emigration  D. decreased biodiversity une 2010Biodiversity.ppt20

Which of the following tends to reduce biodiversity?  A. deforestation  B. urbanization  C. agriculture  D. all of the above 16 June 2010Biodiversity.ppt21

Which of the following best completes this statement? The more biodiversity in an ecosystem, the  A. less its stability and resiliency to continue.  B. greater its stability and resiliency to continue.  C. greater likelihood of depleted resources.  D. greater likelihood of mass destruction. 16 June 2010Biodiversity.ppt22