1. 3.1.Biodiversity

2. Biodiversity What is all the fuss about?
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3. Biodiversity
A measure of the biological richness of an area taking into account the number of species, community complexity and genetic variation within populations OR
The amount of biological or living diversity per unit area. It includes the concepts of species diversity, habitat diversity and genetic diversity
It is a measure of the species richness. This is a product of the number of different species and their relative abundance

4. Each Species and Process…
Is key to the overall function of earth
In general Diversity = Stability
Biodiversity is
Nature’s insurance policy against change
The source of all natural capital for human use
The way chemical materials are cycled and purified
The end result of millions of years of evolution and irreplaceable

6. Species Diversity
Is the number of species or organisms per unit area found in different habitats of the planet.

7. Species Diversity How many different species are there?
1.75 million known
Many more unknown
5 – 50 million or more

8. Biodiversity of Species

9. Species Diversity
Simpson’s diversity index is a good indicator

10. Species Diversity
The spread of individuals between species is more important than the total number of individuals in a habitat.

11. Species diversity Product of two variables:
Species richness (number of species)
Species evenness (relative proportions)

12. Diversity includes
High values of “D” suggests a stable and ancient site
A low value of “D” could suggest pollution, recent colonization, or agricultural management
Index normally used in studies of vegetation but can be applied to comparisons of diversity of any species

14. Genetic Diversity
Is the total number of genetic characteristics of a specific species within a population.

15. Genetic Diversity
larger population = greater genetic diversity

16. Genetic Diversity
Also referred to as genetic variability

17. How does diversity exist?
Natural Selection = survival of the fittest
Fitness = a measure of reproductive success
If all individuals are variable
And populations produce large numbers of offspring without increase in population size
And resources are limited
And traits are heritable

18. Genetic Diversity
Low genetic diversity and resulting poor sperm quality has made breeding and survivorship difficult for cheetahs. Moreover, only about 5% of cheetahs survive to adulthood

19. Habitat Diversity
Range of different habitat per unit are in an ecosystem or biome
(niches per unit area).
If habitat diversity is conserved than this usually leads to the conservation of species and genetic diversity.

20. Habitat Diversity
Variety of forests, deserts, grasslands, lakes, oceans, coral reefs, wetlands, and other biological communities,
(niches per unit area).

21. Habitat Diversity Most important range of niches
High genetic diversity
More diverse species more genetic variation

22. Why is biodiversity important?
Diversity = stability
Nature’s insurance policy against change
The source of all natural capital for human use
The way chemical materials are cycled and purified
The end result of millions of years of evolution and irreplaceable

23. Biodiversity: Why should we care?
Diverse ecosystems are more stable and more healthy
More resistant to damage from factors like climate change and spread of disease
Provides important ecological services to humans
Biodiversity is useful to us as humans
Recreation
Food
Goods
Medicine

24. Ecological Services of Biodiversity
Flow of material, energy in the biosphere
Photosynthesis
Pollination
Soil formation and maintenance
Nutrient cycling
Moderation of weather extremes
Purification of air and water

25. Important “stuff” From biodiversity
Food, fuel, ecosystems, species, fiber, lumber, paper….
90% of all food crops
40% of all medicines and 85% of all antibiotics
Willow Tree - Aspirin
Pacific Yew – Taxol (cancer drug)

26. Hot spots
Biodiversity hotspot – a region with a high level of biodiversity that is under threat from human activities.

27. The 19 Most Biodiverse countries in the world
The 19 Most Biodiverse countries in the world. What is the Problem with this?

28. Biodiversity Hotspots need special consideration

29. HOTSPOTS: These areas need emergency conservation attention
Especially rich in endemic plant and animal species (found nowhere else in the world)
They cover on 1.4% of world land area
Mostly tropical forests
Contain 60% of identified terrestrial biodiversity
55% of all primates, 22% of all carnivores
1.1 billion people living in poverty near these sites
$500 million annually would go far to ensure their preservation

30. Critical and endangered
Projected Status of Biodiversity
1998–2018
Critical and endangered
Threatened
Stable or intact
ANTARCTICA
NORTH
AMERICA
EUROPE
AFRICA
ASIA
SOUTH
AUSTRALIA
Pacific
Ocean
Antarctic Circle
Tropic of Cancer
Tropic of Capricorn
Indian
Atlantic
150°
90°
60°E 0°
30°W
120°
60°
30°N
30°S
Arctic Circle

31. Critics say that hotspots:
Focus on vascular plants and ignore animals.
Do not represent total species diversity or richness.
Focus on places that have already lost habitat, not those that are losing it.
Do not consider genetic diversity.
Do not consider the value of services: e.g. water resources.