1. Biodiversity

2. Levels of biodiversity
Ecosystem diversity
Species diversity
3. Genetic diversity

3. Protecting ecosystems protects all organisms that live there
Ecosystem diversity
Number and variety of ecosystems in an area
Variety of communities
Variety of habitats
Ex: Forests have more ecosystem diversity
than farmland
Protecting ecosystems
protects all organisms that live there

4. Species diversity Species are unevenly distributed
More species are found in the tropics
This is called the Latitudinal gradient
Certain categories of species are of importance to ecologists.
These are studied to help make conservation decisions.

5. 1. Umbrella species -
By protecting their habitat, other species are protected as well.
Umbrella species characteristics:
they are easily observed or sampled
they have large home ranges
they have a long lifespan.
Ex: wolf, grizzly bear

6. 2. Keystone species -
Their presence is necessary for other species to survive and thrive.
Their removal causes changes in ecosystem structure and often loss of diversity.
They may be habitat modifiers.
Ex: prairie dogs, beavers, sea otters

7. 3. Indicator species -
particularly sensitive to environmental conditions
a decline in their health can signal air and water pollution, soil contamination, climate change or habitat fragmentation
Ex: Canaries in coal mines. If the canary dies the miners know the air is unsafe.
Ex: Mutated frogs indicate contaminated water.

8. Genetic diversity
variations in DNA among members of a population or species
Having more variations gives the species a better chance to adapt to environmental change
Ex: variations in coat thickness allowed some tigers to survive in the tropics, while others live in Siberia

9. Benefits to biodiversity
Ecosystem services
Agriculture
Medicine
Ecotourism

10. 1. Ecosystem services - Clean water – estuaries filter pollutants
Breathable air
Natural climate control
Flood control
Protect shorelines from erosion

11. 2. Agriculture - New food sources
Wild strains are cross-bred with crops to increase pest and disease resistance
New plants may have other uses

12. 3. Medicine -
Every species that goes extinct is a lost opportunity to find a cure.
118 of the 150 most often prescribed drugs come from nature, not labs.

13. 4. Ecotourism -
Emphasizes conservation, education, sustainability, and community participation
Can bring millions of dollars into the nation
Ex: is a vital source of income
in Costa Rica and Kenya