Biodiversity Section 1: What is Biodiversity? Section 2: Biodiversity at risk Section 3: The Future of Biodiversity

What is Biodiversity? Biodiversity: number of different species in a given area. involves cataloging all species on Earth. estimated at about 1.7 million “known” different species. actual numbers may be closer to 10 million.

Levels of Diversity Species: number of different species in an area (biodiversity). Ecosystem: variety of habitats, communities, ecological processes. Genetic: different genes within all members of a population.

Benefits of Biodiversity 1. Species are connected to ecosystems. * diversity ensures healthy ecosystems; balanced energy and nutrient cycles. **keystone species: critical to the health of an ecosystem. ex. sea otter and kelp beds.

Benefits of Biodiversity (cont’d) 2. Species are basis of genetic variation. * genetic diversity increases survival in the face of environ- mental changes. ** decreased members of species, reduces genetic variety; increases risk of genetic disorders.

Benefits of Biodiversity (cont’d) 3. Species represent a source of useful chemical and industrial materials.

Benefits of Biodiversity (cont’d) 4. Species should be preserved for ethical, religious, or aesthetic reasons.

Section 3: The Future of Biodiversity Slowing species loss Involves new approaches to conservation: Captive-breeding programs- breeding species in captivity, later releasing them into the wild.

The Future of Biodiverity (cont’d) Preserving genetic material- germ plasm (genetic material within reproductive cells) is stored in banks for future research or species-recovery.

The Future of Biodiversity (con’t) Zoos, aquariums, parks and gardens- may be able to preserve a fraction of the world’s endangered species. **Bottom line: saving a few individuals does not preserve a species.

The Future of Biodiversity (cont’d) The most effective way to save a species is to protect its habitat: Habitat conservation focuses on bio-hotspots. Research is needed to determine how big a reserve is to save the species.

Legal Protection for Species Regulations to prevent extinction of species includes: Endangered Species Act- U.S. Fish and Wildlife (USFW) currently estimates 1272 species of plants and animals are endangered or threatened.

Legal Protection for Species International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN): CITES (Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species Earth Summet- established Biodiversity Treaty

Private Conservation Efforts World Wildlife Fund- encourages wildlife protection through sustainable practices Nature Conservancy- purchases millions of hectares of habitat worldwide