1. 1.1 – Biodiversity: Introduction
Learning Goals:
By the end of this lesson student will be able to…
describe what biodiversity is and why it is important
distinguish between genetic diversity, species diversity, and structural diversity

2. Biological Diversity or Biodiversity
The number and variety of species and ecosystems on Earth
Ex: a rainforest has more biodiversity than the tundra

3. How do we measure biodiversity?
Biodiversity is often understood as the number of types of plants, animals and microorganisms
The fundamental unit of biodiversity is the SPECIES

4. What is a Species?
All organisms capable of breeding freely with each other under natural conditions
Ex: under natural conditions, lions breed with lions; robins breed with robins

5. AMBIGUOUS CASES FOR THE DEFINITION OF SPECIES:
Mules – male donkey + female horse

6. Ambiguous Cases for the species con’t
Plants of two different species hybridizing to form a cross between species

7. Ambiguous Cases for the Species:
Organisms that reproduce asexually ex: dandelions; defined as a species based on its physical characteristics

8. What is Biodiversity Canadian Geographic
Biodiversity Definition Summary Video

9. Other ways to consider biodiversity
Genetic Diversity:
The genetic variability among organisms; usually referring to individuals of the same species
Ex: human genetic diversity are differences in hair, skin, and eye colour etc.
Because individuals within a species inherit their unique genetic combinations from their parents, there is increased biodiversity when genetic diversity is also considered

10. Other ways to consider biodiversity
Species Diversity:
A measure of diversity that takes into account the quantity of each species present, as well as the variety of different species present
Ex: An ecosystem with 10 species each with 500 individuals is considered to be more biologically diverse than an ecosystem with 10 species each with 50 individuals. This is because the larger the population, the more biologically, diverse interactions. The greatest species diversity exists in ecosystems with many different species that each have large populations.

11. Other ways to consider biodiversity
Structural Diversity:
The range of physical shapes and sizes within a habitat. Structural diversity is critical for biodiversity because it creates microhabitats
ie: An ecosystem with more structural diversity will have greater biodiversity. Ex: A flat ocean bed has less biodiversity than an irregular bottom with rocks, reefs, logs or even sunken ships. It is the diversity of habitats

12. So, how much biodiversity is there?
The UN declared 2010 the International Year of Biodiversity
In 2010, 1.75 million different species have been identified
Scientists estimate that there are 13 million different species in the world, but that estimate has been known to vary from 3 million to 100 million

14. If there is so much biodiversity out there, why do we worry when species go extinct?
Species extinction is a natural process
Biologists estimate that a new species will, on average, become extinct after approximately 1 million years
Human activity in speeding up the rate of extinction
E.O. Wilson estimates that the current extinction rate is times as great as it would be without humans

15. Importance of Preserving our Biodiversity:
Loss of biodiversity means:
Threatened food supply when an entire species and plant varieties are lost
Eliminates sources of natural medicines and potential new medicines (as well as other resources)
Significant economic impact on tourism and forestry when accompanied by habitat destruction
Has the potential to cause serious disruptions in biogeochemical cycles ex: normal carbon uptake by natural ecosystems

16. E O Wilson Full TED Talk
Video (4 min) of E O Wilson