1. 3.1.1 Biodiversity

2. Biodiversity  A measure of the biological richness of an area taking into account the number of species, community complexity and genetic variation within populations  OR  The amount of biological or living diversity per unit area. It includes the concepts of species diversity, habitat diversity and genetic diversity  OR  It is a measure of the species richness. This is a product of the number of different species and their relative abundance

3. Biodiversity  The amount of biological diversity per unit area.  Influenced by climate (what is the most diverse biome?)  It includes: genetic, habitat and species diversity

4. Species Diversity  Is the number of species or organisms per unit area found in different habitats of the planet.

5. Species Diversity  How many different species are there?  1.75 million known  Many more unknown  5 – 50 million or more

6. Biodiversity of Species

7. Species Diversity  It is a measure of how many species there are, the number of organisms of each species, and how they are spread out through the ecosystem

8. Species Diversity  Simpson’s diversity index is a good indicator

9. Species Diversity  The spread of individuals between species is more important than the total number of individuals in a habitat.

10. Diversity includes  Richness: The number of species per sample is a measure of richness.  The more species present in a sample, the “richer” the sample.  Evenness: A measure of the relative abundance of the different species making up the richness of an area.

11. Diversity includes  High values of “D” suggests a stable and ancient site  A low value of “D” could suggest pollution, recent colonization, or agricultural management  Index normally used in studies of vegetation but can be applied to comparisons of diversity of any species

13. Genetic Diversity  Is the total number of genetic characteristics of a specific species within a population.

14. Genetic Diversity  larger population = greater genetic diversity

15. Genetic Diversity  Also referred to as genetic variability

16. How does diversity exist?  Natural Selection = survival of the fittest  Fitness = a measure of reproductive success  If all individuals are variable  And populations produce large numbers of offspring without increase in population size  And resources are limited  And traits are heritable

17. How does diversity exist?  Those individuals who are best adapted to the environment will survive and pass on their genes  Gradually the gene frequency in the population will represent more of these “fit” individuals

18. Genetic Diversity  Low genetic diversity and resulting poor sperm quality has made breeding and survivorship difficult for cheetahs. Moreover, only about 5% of cheetahs survive to adulthood

19. Habitat Diversity  Range of different habitat per unit are in an ecosystem or biome  (niches per unit area). If habitat diversity is conserved than this usually leads to the conservation of species and genetic diversity.

20. Habitat Diversity  Variety of forests, deserts, grasslands, lakes, oceans, coral reefs, wetlands, and other biological communities,  (niches per unit area).

21. Habitat Diversity  Most important range of niches  High genetic diversity  More diverse species more genetic variation

22. Measuring Biodiversity  The diversity of ecosystems in a region  The number of species in each ecosystem  The genetic diversity within the populations of each species.  Biodiversity includes all these levels of complexity and can be assessed on a local, national or global scale.

23. Why is biodiversity important?  Diversity = stability  Nature’s insurance policy against change  The source of all natural capital for human use  The way chemical materials are cycled and purified  The end result of millions of years of evolution and irreplaceable

24. Biodiversity: Why should we care?  Diverse ecosystems are more stable and more healthy  More resistant to damage from factors like climate change and spread of disease  Provides important ecological services to humans  Biodiversity is useful to us as humans  Recreation  Food  Goods  Medicine

25. Ecological Services of Biodiversity  Flow of material, energy in the biosphere  Photosynthesis  Pollination  Soil formation and maintenance  Nutrient cycling  Moderation of weather extremes  Purification of air and water

26. Important “stuff” From biodiversity  Food, fuel, ecosystems, species, fiber, lumber, paper….  90% of all food crops  40% of all medicines and 85% of all antibiotics Pacific Yew – Taxol (cancer drug) Willow Tree - Aspirin

27. Each Species and Process…  Is key to the overall function of earth  In general Diversity = Stability  Biodiversity is  Nature’s insurance policy against change  The source of all natural capital for human use  The way chemical materials are cycled and purified  The end result of millions of years of evolution and irreplaceable

28. The 19 Most Biodiverse countries in the world. What is the Problem with this?

29. Biodiversity Hotspots need special consideration

30. HOTSPOTS:  These areas need emergency conservation attention  Especially rich in endemic plant and animal species (found nowhere else in the world)  They cover on 1.4% of world land area  Mostly tropical forests  Contain 60% of identified terrestrial biodiversity  55% of all primates, 22% of all carnivores  1.1 billion people living in poverty near these sites  $500 million annually would go far to ensure their preservation

31. Projected Status of Biodiversity 1998–2018 Critical and endangeredThreatenedStable or intact ANTARCTICA NORTH AMERICA EUROPE AFRICA ASIA SOUTH AMERICA AUSTRALIA Pacific Ocean Antarctic Circle Pacific Ocean Tropic of Cancer Tropic of Capricorn Indian Ocean Atlantic Ocean 150°90°60°E0°30°W90°120°150°0° 60° 30°N 30°S 60° Arctic Circle