1. Biodiversity Test Review

2. Biodiversity
Why important

3. Importance of Biodiversity
Increases resistance & resilience of ecosystem
Less susceptible & quicker recovery
Whether spread of disease, fire, drought, human disturbance
Genetic diversity gives us more “raw material”
New Pharmaceuticals – of top 150 prescription drugs, 118 are derived from natural sources: plants, bacteria, fungi, animals
Agriculture / food sources - genes with new/advantageous traits
Energy sources
Consumer goods / manufacturing / technology
Ecological services
Recycling nutrients
Pollinators
Sequester CO2, release O2
Filter water
Remove / decompose pollutants
Aesthetic value / Ethical – intrinsic
Critical for sustaining human life – yet often not considered

4. Biodiversity Definition 3 types Genetic Species Richness Evenness
Ecosystem

5. Biodiversity A good indicator of health of ecosystem
Higher biodiversity = more resistance & resilience
If you damage an ecosystem – lower biodiversity

6. Biodiversity
How does human development (building stuff) affect Biodiversity?
Human development
Fragments
Alters
REDUCES Biodiversity

7. Biodiversity Where does diversity come from? (result of what)
Natural selection / evolution

8. Natural Selection & Evolution
Natural Selection – Definition?
Survival of the “fittest”
Best adapted to environment
Process –
traits (through adaptations / mutations) that allow an organism to survive and reproduce
If can’t adapt, what happens to species
Extinction
Natural background rate: 1 to 5 species per year

9. Natural Selection & Evolution
Must have genotype in gene pool before it can be expressed (phenotype) – one reason biodiversity is important
Large pop – has _larger_ gene pool – _more_ stable
But small pop can change more quickly
Pace of Evolution
environmental change – fast or slow
Genetic variation (gene pool) – a lot or little
Pop size – large or small
Generation (reproduce) time – quicker or slower

10. Evolution through Random Processes
Artificial Selection
Humans are breeding for desired traits
Faster than natural selection
Can result in “resistance” ex: bacteria that come resistant to antibiotics
Evolution through Random Processes
Genetic drift, bottle neck, and founders effect
All 3 – small populations (regardless of cause) have less genetic diversity – smaller gene pool – less biodiversity
More uniformity
But more vulnerable

11. Niche
Fundamental
Abiotic factors
Realized
Biotic factors
competition

12. Species Keystone Indicator Generalist Specialist Introduced Native
Non-native
Invasive
Exotic
K vs r
Pioneer
Endemic

13. Laws Endangered Species Act
CITES – Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species
Lacey Act
Marine Mammal Protection Act
NEPA – National Environmental Policy Act
EIS – Environmental Impact Statement

14. Restoration & Conservation
attempt to return ecosystems condition to original state
Remediation & Rehabilitation
return damaged ecosystem to a functional state by repair and reconstruction.
Mitigation –
reduces overall damage. If a wetland is destroyed in one area by highway construction, another area is restored
Preservation –
prevention strategy. Protect environment before damage occurs. Setting aside natural & undisturbed areas
Five basic science-based principles for ecological restoration:
1. Identify cause. 2. Stop abuse by eliminating or sharply reducing factors. 3. Reintroduce species if necessary. 4. Protect area form further degradation. 5. Use adaptive management to monitor efforts, assess successes, and modify strategies.

15. Loss of Biodiversity HIPPCO H = I = P = C = O = Habitat Loss
Invasive Species
P =
Population Growth (humans)
Pollution
C =
Climate Change
O =
Overharvesting

16. Invasive Species Give 3 examples Why are they a problem /
They lower biodiversity
The can outcompete the native species
This displaces / kills native species
The can adapt very quickly to local habitats
They have no/few natural predators
They can reproduce very quickly
Are they always a problem?
By definition, yes
Otherwise known as alien, nonnative, or exotic if no problem

17. Invasive Species Characteristics of an Invasive Species
High biotic potential – intrinsic growth rate
Hi reproductive rate / short generation time
r-selected species
Pioneer species, generalists, tolerate wide range of conditions
High genetic diversity
Adapt quickly
Characteristics of a ecosystem vulnerable to Invasive Species
Similar to original habitat
No predators that will eat invasive species
Low biodiversity
Previously disturbed by humans

18. Threatened / Endangered Species
Give several examples
Why are the in danger
Characteristics that make species vulnerable
K species
Low reproductive rate
Specialized niche
Limited range of tolerance
Specific food source
Needs stable environment
Narrow distribution / rare / endemic
High or top of food chain
Fixed migratory pattern
Requires large territory
Commercially valuable to humans
Low genetic diversity (small gene pool)

19. Threatened / Endangered Species
IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List
Which animals are most at risk
Amphibians
Threatened by invasive species
All the previous characteristics listed
Requires a big territory

20. Extinction Give several examples
Why are they extinct
Characteristics that make species vulnerable
What is 6th mass extinction
Why is fossil record incomplete
Which animals are most at risk

21. Protecting Biodiversity
Preserves
Parks
Metapopulations
Corridors
Gene flow
Edge habitat
Hot spots

22. Size, Shape, Connectedness of Protected areas
Island of Biogeography
Does it apply to land
Corridors
What are they, are they needed, what benefit
Fragmentation
Edge Habitat
Beneficial?
Biosphere Reserves

23. Protect Focus on species or habitat Hotspots vs broad cross-section
Human demands on resources
Reduce population growth / poverty
Prevention vs restoration

24. Ecological Succession
Primary
Secondary
Aquatic

25. Tragedy of the Commons
Be prepared to explain & give examples