1. What is Biodiversity?
Biodiversity is the variety or richness of life at all structural levels (molecular/genetic, species, ecosystem). It is an essential renewable resource. It is exploited and depleted as a result of the “Tragedy of the Commons” phenomenon. The current rate of biodiversity loss is comparable to previous extinction events.

2. Why is biodiversity important?
Biodiversity provides us with:
Natural Resources (food, water, wood,
energy, and medicines)
Natural (Ecosystem) Services including: air and water purification, soil fertility, waste disposal, pest control)
Aesthetic pleasure

3. “The decline of Earth’s biodiversity is an unintended consequence of multiple factors that have been enhanced by human activity. They can be summarized by the acronym HIPPO, with the order of the letters corresponding to their rank in destructiveness.”
E.O. Wilson “The Creation”

4. H Habitat loss, including that caused by human-induced climate change. “
H Habitat loss, including that caused by human-induced climate change.
I Invasive species (harmful aliens, including predators, diseases, and competitors that displace native species
P Pollution
P Population, Human overpopulation to be exact, a root cause of the other four factors
O Overharvesting, Overuse (hunting,
fishing, gathering)
E. O. Wilson “The Creation”

5. Habitat loss/destruction
Habitat loss is the greatest
reason for biodiversity loss.
Habitat loss is due to:
Conversion of natural areas to farms, houses, etc
Fragmentation of ecosystems by human activities, housing, transportation, agriculture etc.
Simplification of genetic diversity and complex ecosystems by planting/selecting monocultures.

6. Invasive / Exotic Species
Invasive, exotic species introduced from elsewhere outcompete native species because they:
Have no natural predators
Colonize disturbed habitats quickly
Have a high biotic potential (r-species)

7. Cane Toads – The Conquest movie
Cane Toads – The Conquest movie

8. Pollution
Pollution (Oil spills, human agricultural waste, fertilization, pesticides, acid deposition, greenhouse gases etc) caused by human activities has a negative effect on biodiversity

9. Population, Human overpopulation that is.
6.8 Billion and counting. The expansion of human population and affluence, especially in the developing world harms natural ecosystems.

10. Overharvesting, Overuse, Overexploitation
Overhunting, overfishing, destructive harvesting practices (cyanide, dynamite), illegal trade, exotic pet industry

11. Your examples…
Make a quick list of factors that have impacted your specific species…
Which of these are easiest to change/influence?

12. Raven, Berg, and Hassenzahl put it this way
Human
Population
Increase
Land use change
(Habitat loss)
Increasing
Economic
Activity
Increasing
Economic
Activity
Declining
Biological
Diversity
Increased use
of technology
Increased use
of technology
Social, political
and cultural
factors
Social, political
and cultural
factors
Indirect
(Underlying
causes)
Direct
causes

13. Characteristics shared by many endangered species include:
Low reproductive rate (biotic potential)
Feed at high trophic levels (apex predator)
Large body size
Specialist
Specialized feeding habits
Specialized nesting and/or breeding areas
Fixed migratory patterns
Found in one place or region
Rare
Commercially valuable
Negative human interactions including attacks on people or livestock