1. Biological Diversity and Conservation

2. What does “Diversity” mean?
Biodiversity
What does “Diversity” mean?
Diversity = Variety

3. There are 3 components of biodiversity
Diversity of genes Chihuahuas, beagles, and rottweilers are all dogs—but they're not the same because their genes are different.
Beagle
Chihuahua
Rottweilers

4. There are 3 components of biodiversity
Diversity of species For example, monkeys, dragonflies, and meadow beauties are all different species.
Golden Skimmer
Meadow Beauty
Saki Monkey

5. There are 3 components of biodiversity
Variety of ecosystems Prairies, Ponds, and tropical rain forests are all ecosystems. Each one is different, with its own set of species living in it.
Paines Prairie
Florida Sand hill Pond
Hoh Rain Forest

6. Panda

7. Vanishing Species Biodiversity--variety of life in an area
number of different species in given area
terrestrial biodiversity increases as you move closer to equator
tropical regions contain 2/3 of all land species on Earth

8. Larger islands have more biodiversity than smaller islands (similar locations/biomes)
more space
greater variety of enviornments and ecosystems

9. Importance of Biodiversity
Beautification
Possible unknown relationships
Brings stability to ecosystem
Meets human needs
Potential to improve health (medicines)
(Fig. 5.3, p.118)

10. Biodiversity

11. Loss of Biodiversity
Extinction--disappearance of species when last of its members dies
Threatened species--declining rapidly
Endangered species--numbers become so low that extinction is possible
40 extinctions since 1940’s
humans are mainly responsible

12. Biodiversity Loss

13. Biodiversity Loss

14. Threats to Biodiversity
Changes to habitat can threaten organisms with extinction. Three main ways….
-Habitat loss
-Habitat fragmentation
-Habitat degradation

15. Habitat Loss Biggest threat to biodiversity
Destruction of habitats and organisms can’t adapt
Results from human actions and natural disaster

16. Coral Reefs

17. Habitat Fragmentation
Separation of wilderness areas from other wilderness areas
Ex: roads cut across wilderness, building projects, etc.

18. Fragmentation Results

19. Habitat Degradation-- damage to a habitat by pollution
3 Main types….
-Air Pollution
-Water Pollution
-Land Pollution

20. Figure 6-16 Biological Magnification of DDT
Section 6-3
Magnification of
DDT Concentration
Fish-Eating Birds
10,000,000
Large
Fish
1,000,000
100,000
Small Fish
10,000
Zooplankton
1000
Producers
Water 1

21. Air Pollution Includes acid rain
Damages plant tissue and interferes with growth
Changes water pH (frogs)
Damages ozone (CFCs)

22. Water Pollution
Results from excess fertilizers, algal blooms, silt, detergents, heavy metals, and solid pollutants
Point-source vs. Non-point source

23. Land Pollution Pesticides DDT--Rachel Carson
Peregrine falcons, bald eagles, brown pellicans, etc. (fragile eggs)

24. Land Pollution

25. Sustainable Agriculture
Section 6-4
Cover Crops
Legumes, grasses, and other
cover crops recycle soil nutrients,
reduce fertilizer need, and
prevent weed growth.
Controlled Grazing
By managing graze periods and herd
densities, farmers can improve nutrient
cycling, increase the effectiveness of
precipitation, and increase the carrying
capacity of pastures.
Biological Pest Control
The use of predators and parasites
to control destructive insects
minimizes pesticide use as well as
crop damage A B C
Contour Plowing
Contour plowing reduces
soil erosion from land runoff.
On hilly areas, plowing is done
across the hill rather than
straight up and down.
Yr. 1
Crop Rotation
Different crops use and
replenish different nutrients.
By rotating crops, the loss
of important plant nutrients
is decreased.
corn
oats
alfalfa
Yr. 2
alfalfa (plowed in)
corn
alfalfa
Yr. 3
oats
alfalfa
corn

26. Exotic/Invasive Species
Organisms not native to a particular area
Ex: Kudzu
Grow at exponential rate due to lack of competitors and lack of predators
May take over niches and eventually replace native species

27. Exotic Species

28. Conservation of Biodiversity
Strategies of Conservation --plans to protect biodiversity
-US Endangered Species Act
-Nature preserves and National Parks
-Sustainable Use
-Habitat Corridors
-Reintroduction programs

29. US Endangered Species Act
Became law in 1973
Made it illegal to harm any species on endangered or threatened species lists
Also illegal for federal agencies to fund any project that would harm organisms on these lists
includes damaging their ecosystems
Ex: bald eagle, American alligator

30. Nature Preserves/National Parks
Best way to conserve species is to protect whole communities and ecosystems
only 6% of Earth’s land surface is protected

31. Yellow Stone

32. Sustainable Use
Using resources of wilderness areas in ways that will not damage the ecosystem
Harvesting brazil nuts rather than cutting down the trees

33. Habitat Corridors
Natural strips of land/water that allow migration of organisms from one area to another
Overcomes habitat fragmentation

34. Reintroduction Programs
Release of organisms into an area where their species once lived
California condors

35. Reintroduction Programs
Red Wolf

36. Cool NC Species
Hellbender
Comet Darner Dragonfly
Anax longipes