1. Biological Diversity and Conservation

2. Summary Slide
Vanishing Species
Conservation of Biodiversity

3. Vanishing Species

4. Biological Diversity
Biodiversity: the variety of life (number of species) in an area

5. Where is biodiversity found?
For example for species of mammals: Canada has 163 species, US has 367 species, Mexico has 439 species (this number grows as we get closer to the equator)
Tropical regions contain 2/3 of all land species on earth

6. The “Island Model”
Islands can serve as an excellent study tool for biodiversity
Small islands can have more or less species than larger ones, depending upon where the islands are located
A small island can have as many or more species than the larger one located in a cooler climate
This type of research is excellent when it comes to studying national parks or reserves because they are “islands” within themselves

7. Importance of Biodiversity
Biodiversity affects the relationships between populations
The existence of one population is directly dependent upon the existence of other populations which surround it
Biodiversity helps to stabilize an ecosystem

8. Importance to people
Food
Pharmacy
Disease

9. Food
Biodiversity is important to humans because we are dependent upon other organisms for a variety of things
Organisms like plants give us oxygen
The organisms that we eat are diverse and allow use to have a varied diet
Biodiversity can be important when it comes to genetically altered crops
Biodiversity is also important because we use these species for food as well as materials

10. Pharmacy
Biodiversity also helps in the pharmacy. Penicillin came from mold, Quinine an anti-malaria drug came from a cinchona tree

11. Disease
The cure for cancer and AIDS could be found in our own “backyard” because of biodiversity

12. Loss of Biodiversity
Extinction
Threatened Species
Endangered Species

13. Extinction
Extinction: The disappearance of a species when the last of its members dies
Since 1980 this includes 40 species of plants and animals in the US.
Humans have been responsible for a lot of extinction in addition to natural processes

14. Threatened Species
Threatened Species: The rapid decline of a species’ population
An example of a threatened population is the African Elephant

15. The African Elephant
In the 1970’s the population of the African Elephant was at 3 million, within 20 years the numbers had fallen to 700,000
Why? Elephants have been hunted for their tusks to make ivory jewelry and ornaments

16. Endangered Species
Endangered species: When the numbers of a threatened species are so low that extinction is possible

17. Threatened Species
The Black Rhinoceros of Africa is endangered due to their horns being carved for ceremonial daggers or used as an herbal medicine
In the US the California condor (Gymnogyps californianus) and the Florida manatees (Trichechus manatus)

18. Threats to biodiversity
Habitat loss, Habitat Fragmentation, Biotic Issues, Abiotic issues, Habitat Degradations, Water pollution, Land Pollution, Introduction of Exotics

19. Habitat Threats Habitat loss: the removal of the habitat
Habitat fragmentation: the separation of wilderness areas from other wilderness areas
Habitat degradations: The damage to a habitat by pollution (air, water, and land pollution)
Ozone layer

20. Biome Threats
Biotic issues: Living relationships between organisms which are effected
Abiotic issues: Factors which are caused as a result of other issues

21. Exotics
Introduction of exotics: Can damage native species due to a competition for the environment (Kudzu to US, cane toad to Australia, zebra mussels to Great Lakes, goats to Santa Catalina, sea lamprey to Great Lakes)

22. Conservation of Biodiversity

23. Strategies of conservation Biology
Conservation Biology: field of biology which studies methods and implements plants to protect biodiversity
Conservation biologists focus on ecology, understand law, politics, sociology, and economics

24. Legal protection of species
US Endangered Species act in 1973 by President Nixon: making it illegal to harm any species on the endangered or threatened species lists
Harm includes the changing of the ecosystems in which these species live
The International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) manages a list of species whose transport and trade are prohibited or controlled and is endorsed by 120 countries

25. Preserving habitats
Creating nature reserves is also a way to preserve habitats
Only 6% of the earth’s land surface is protected by reserves
The preservation of land is the most effective way to preserve populations

26. Establishing a Preserve
Sustainable Use: allows people to use the resources of the wilderness in ways that will not damage the ecosystem
Habitat corridors: Natural strips that allow the migration of organisms from one area to another
The creation of a preserve is best suited by placing tracks of land next to areas which are already preserved to make a large island of land or a corridor

27. The First Reserve
Yellowstone National Park was established in 1872 as a preservation effort on the geology of the area which also serves to protect the biodiversity as well.

28. Preserving Habitats
Example: Yellowstone National Park

29. Reintroduction Programs
Reintroduction programs: release organisms into an area where their species once lived

30. Reintroduction Programs
Example: Gray Wolves of Yellowstone National Park

31. Review