Standard 9 and 10 Biological Diversity and Conservation

Biological Diversity Variety of species in an area. –In a cornfield in Nebraska 2 species of beetle –In the Amazon Rainforest 5000 species of beetle What does this means? –The most biodiverse places on earth are warm and tropical. –The greater the variety of environment, the more opportunity for habitat and niche for individual organsims and populations

Nebraska Biodiversity is good but lower than…

Why is biodiversity Important Organisms suffer when an organism they feed upon is removed permanently removed. Biodiversity increases the stability of an ecosystem. Humans rely on the environment for many of our basic needs.

Human Reliance Diet –Animals, Vegetables, Fruit, Grains Infrastructure –Clothing, furniture, building materials Health Care –Antibiotics –Future Drugs

Loss of Biodiversity Extinction –Total loss of a species Endangered Species –Species that faces extinction if conditions are allowed to continue Threatened Species –Species that is showing dramatic declines in populations

Threats to Biodiversity Habitat Loss (Changes in Environment) Habitat Fragmentation (Urbanization) Abiotic Issues (Climate) Habitat Degradation (Pollution) Invasive Species (Introduce a new species into a new ecosystem)

Standard 9 Describe and analyze the effect of species, including humans on an ecosystem. SC.CM.LS Explain how humans and other species can impact an ecosystem. Model: Global Warming

What is the Greenhouse Effect?

Causes of Greenhouse Emissions

Implications for the Earth

Melting Ice Caps

Rising Sea Levels

Effects on Living Organisms Adaptation – Changing Ranges/Migrations Evolution – Changing Genetic Traits Extinction – When All Else Fails

Ecosystem Responses

Standard 10 SC.CM.LS Explain how the balance of resources will change with the introduction or loss of a new species within an ecosystem. Model: Invasive Species

Zebra Mussels Zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) are small, fingernail-sized mussels native to the Caspian Sea region of Asia. They are believed to have been transported to the Great Lakes via ballast water from a transoceanic vessel. The ballast water, taken on in a freshwater European port was subsequently discharged into Lake St. Clair, near Detroit, where the mussel was discovered in Since that time, they have spread rapidly to all of the Great Lakes and waterways in many states, as well as Ontario and Quebec. Diving ducks and freshwater drum eat zebra mussels, but will not significantly control them. Likely means of spread: Microscopic larvae may be carried in livewells or bilgewater. Adults can attach to boats or boating equipment that is in the water. One drastic impact of the zebra mussel invasion is the near extinction of native American unionid clams in Lake St. Clair and in the western basin of Lake Erie. Zebra mussels attach and build colonies on the clams, reducing their ability to move, feed, and breed, eventually leading to the death of the clams within a couple of years.