BIODIVERSITY Term first used in 1988 by Edward O. Wilson Bio= life Diversity= difference or variety Biodiversity= variety of life

Types of Biodiversity Diversity of ecosystems in biosphere - Deserts, rainforests, prairies, etc. - On land, biodiversity decreases as you approach the poles Diversity of species in ecosystems - plants, animals, fungi, bacteria protists and archaebacteria Diversity of genes within a species - eye color in humans, coat color in wolves

ECOSYSTEM DIVERSITY

SPECIES BIODIVERSITY Scientists believe 50-90% of all species on earth are found in tropical rainforests!

More species = more biodiversity. More species in an ecosystem means more pathways for energy to flow through the ecosystem. This makes the ecosystem strong. Fewer pathways for energy flow make the ecosystem vulnerable. 15 species5 species

DIVERSE FOOD WEBSIMPLE FOOD WEB HOW SPECIES RICHNESS AFFECTS ECOSYSTEM STABILITY

GENETIC BIODIVERSITY Each individual within a population has a unique genetic make-up Variation in traits helps to ensure at least part of the population will survive Loss of genetic diversity can leave a population vulnerable to environmental changes

HUMAN IMPACT ON BIODIVERSITY Environmental impacts ◦ Pollution, desertification, etc. Habitat loss ◦ But we NEED another Starbucks store! Artificial selection and genetic engineering

WHAT CAN YOU DO? Reduce what you consume Reuse when possible Recycle when necessary Preserve habitats Protect diversity!