1. Unit A – Human Activity and Biodiversity

2. 4.1 Reduction of Biological Diversity

3. Outcomes
Describe ongoing changes in biological diversity through extinction and extirpation of native species.

4. 4.1 Reduction of Biological Diversity
Species and ecosystems on Earth and the ecological processes of which they are apart are being stressed by urbanization and the expansion of human industries

5. Try:
Work with a partner and do Give it a Try on page 57

6. Classification of In Danger Species
There are 5 classifications that we use to describe species that humans are concerned about
Extinct
Extirpated
Endangered
Threatened
Vulnerable/ Special Concern

7. Extinction
The disappearance of every individual of a species from the entire planet
Scientists estimate that 99% of all species that have ever existed are now extinct (Dinosaurs)
Some species are brought to extinction through catastrophic events which happens quickly and others occur slowly through human interaction
Example: The Dodo bird, Great Auk 

8. Extinct Animals

9. Extirpation The disappearance of a species from a particular area
Example: Grizzly Bear (used to be found all the way in Manitoba)
Example: Swift Fox used to be common in Canada but by 1928 it was extirpated from Canada
NOTE: Extirpation MUST include a location

10. Extirpated Animals

11. Endangered
Species that are in immediate danger of extinction or extirpation
Example: The Burrowing Owl, Leatherback Turtles

12. Endangered Animals of Canada

13. Threatened
Species that are likely to become endangered if their current declines are not reversed
Example: Wood Bison

14. Threatened Species

15. Vulnerable/ Special Concern
Species that are particularly vulnerable to natural events or human activities
Northern Leopard Frog

17. Natural Causes of Extinction and Extirpation
 Natural selection usually occurs in a slow process, but if the environment of a species changes too quickly or too drastically a species may not survive.
Some possible causes:
Catastrophic Events (flood, fire, volcanic eruptions)
Lack of food due to overpopulation
Disease

19. Human Causes of Extinction and Extirpations
Today, most extinctions and extirpations are due to human activity.
Habitat Destruction
Introduction of Non-Native Species
Over-Hunting

20. Habitat Destruction
Construction of buildings, agricultural development, logging and the damming of rivers all change the environment.
Pollution is also included in habitat destruction. Pesticides, Herbicides and fertilizers used in farming can be washed into the nearby water system and unintentionally cause the death of native species.

21. Overspecialization
Sometimes organisms have adaptations that suit them to only a narrow set of environmental conditions.
This overspecialization can be a cause of extinction or extirpation
Example: Panda’s only eat Bamboo. It cannot switch to another source of food. So if the forests were destroyed the Panda would become extinct.

22. The Page of Cuteness!

23. Introduction of Non-Native Species
Throughout our history, migrating humans have both knowingly and unknowingly carried non-native species with them.
These species will compete with the native species over niches.
Example: Zebra Mussles, Quagga Mussles, Thistles and Dandelions.

24. Examples of Non-Native Species

25. Over-Hunting
 When a species is hunted too much, they can become extirpated from that area.
Example: The Passenger Pigeon. They were hunted mainly for sport, but were overhunted leading to their extinction. Also, the Plains Bison was over hunted by First Nations communities and Immigrants for the meat, bones and the hide were all used for survival.
Bison conservation today.

26. Passenger Pigeons

27. Effects of Extinction and Extirpation
Extinction and Extirpations reduce biological diversity
They reduce the number of species on the planet and within particular areas.
It can also effect many other species, such as those that rely on them as a source of food.

28. Think about it! Exploring – pg 4/5
Think about it! Do you believe that the Y2Y program is necessary for the protection of animals in the Mountain Parks?

29. 4.2 Selecting Desirable Traits

30. Outcomes
Identify issues related to selective breeding in game farming and in the rearing of fish stocks
Describe newly emerging technologies for recombining genetic material; and identify issues related to their application
Describe the use of biotechnology in environmental, agricultural, or forest management. Identify potential impacts and issues

31. Artificial Selection
The process of selecting and breeding individuals with desirable traits to produce offspring that have these desirable traits
What is the difference between artificial selection and natural selection?

32. Artificial Selection
Artificial Selection can be applied to animals, food and ornamental plants.
Since the beginning of farming humans have practiced artificial selection.
Example: Corn

33. Risks in Animals
Artificial selection can reduce genetic variation by creating many offspring of the same individual animals
Having many animals that are genetically identical are more likely to get diseases that genetically differing herds of animals

34. Risks in Plants
Many of our crops were produced by artificial selection of wild plants
There has also been genetic engineering done to the crops to try and make them resistant to herbicide so that the crops can be sprayed and only the weeds die
Many crop plants can still cross with their wild weed relatives and some weeds can become resistant to herbicides

35. Biotechnology
Biotechnology is using living things to make agricultural, industrial or medicinal products.
Farmers and ranchers began using biotechnology many years ago to improve their crops and herds.
How would they do this?
It takes many generations to successfully get an organism with desired traits

36. Creating Plant Clones
Originally horticulturalists “cloned” a plant by taking a cutting off of it and growing an identical version of it
Today scientists can clone faster by taking a cell from an individual plant with desirable traits and place it in a Petri dish where they can grow into seedlings
Many more seedlings can be grown through cloning a cell than through cuttings

37. Artificial Reproductive Technology
Artificial Reproductive Technology is any artificial method of joining a male and female gamete
Most cows in Canada are produced this way
Artificial insemination us when sperm are taken from a bull with the desired traits and the sperm is inserted into the female cow
What is the benefit of artificial insemination?

38. Genetic Engineering
Refers to any technology that directly alters the DNA of an organism
This usually consists of inserting a desirable gene from one species into another
Example: Some genetically modified bacteria now produce insulin because of a gene inserted into them
Diabetics need insulin and since bacteria grow so quickly they can produce a lot of insulin which allows it to be sold cheaply

39. Biotechnology and Society
Development of technology that allows us to select or introduce desirable traits of the organism around us have given humans some important benefits
However we need to use these technologies responsibly and be aware of the possible risks as well as the benefits

40. Cloning
Scientists are able to produce an identical copy of a single animal
The most famous example is a sheep named Dolly who is genetically identical to her mother
Dolly was made from a full-grown mother
Even though Dolly is 6 years younger than her mother her cells appear the same as her mothers

41. Cloning Cloning is still in its early stages
Many have reported unsuccessful pregnancies, birth defects, and deaths among clones.

42. Dolly the Sheep

43. Think about it!
Read pg 70
Answer the Questions in the Evaluation and Analysis Section

44. 4.3 Reducing Our Impact on Biological Diversity

45. OUTcomes
Evaluate the success and limitations of various local and global strategies for minimizing loss of species diversity

46. Jigsaw Learning Activity
Split the class into 5 groups
Protected Areas
Restoration of Ecosystems and Species
Resource Use Policies
Controlling the Spread of Exotic Species
Conservation of Genetic Resources
All groups read their section between and write down at least 3 points of importance from their section
You will then have to teach other groups about your three points

47. Strategies to Conserve Biological Diversity
To ensure biological diversity we need to eliminate bad impacts to the environment due to human activity.
The Canadian Biodiversity Strategy focuses on in-situ (on site) and ex-situ (off site) conservation and helping promote sustainable use of resources.

48. Protected Area (in situ conservation)
Protected areas allows species to live in their natural environment
Protected areas include national and provincial parks, recreation areas and ecological preserves
In-situ conservation allows populations of organisms to function in their ecosystem

49. Restoration of Ecosystems and Species
Charities, non-profit organizations, volunteer groups and landowners contribute to restoring species and natural habitats by giving land and helping land be kept in a state where organisms can live.

50. Resource Use Policies
Federal and provincial government laws that help species that are endangered

51. Controlling the Spread of Exotic Species
Federal, provincial and municipal governments work to develop policies to stop the spread of exotic species.

52. Conservation of Genetic Resources
Ex-situ, which is working on conserving biological diversity outside of a natural habitat, can help endangered species.
Seed banks can help maintain biological diversity in plants
Maintaining animal diversity is harder and sometimes can be done in zoos or using artificial reproduction technologies

53. To Do: Unit A Project – Research a Species at Risk in Alberta
Start studying
Read through Unit Summary on page 80 and make notes what things you really need to study
Answer questions 1-33