1. Biodiversity: Who cares?

2. Which do you like better?A

3. Which do you like better?A

4. Which do you like better?A B

5. Which do you like better?A B

6. Which do you like better?A

7. Which do you like better?A B

8. Which do you like better?A B

9. What do you think biodiversity means?

10. Biodiversity
What does “Bio” mean?
Life
Bio =

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

12. Biodiversity is the variety of life on Earth and the essential interdependence of all living things
Scientists have identified more than 2 million species. Tens of millions -- remain unknown
The tremendous variety of life on Earth is made possible by complex interactions among all living things including microscopic species like algae and mites.

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. Which is more diverse? B A

17. Which is more diverse? B A

18. Which is more diverse? A B

19. Which is more diverse? A B

20. Which has more cultural diversity?B A

21. Which has more biodiversity?

22. Which has more biodiversity?

23. Biodiversity has Intrinsic Value
Intrinsic Value = Something that has value
in and of itself

24. Biodiversity also has utilitarian Value
Utilitarian Value = the value something has as a means to another’s end.
Utilitarian values include:
Goods
Services
Information

25. What do we get from biodiversity?
Oxygen
Food
Clean Water
Medicine
Aesthetics
Ideas

26. Should we be concerned about biodiversity?
What we know: The Earth is losing species at an alarming rate
Some scientists estimate that as many as 3 species per hour are going extinct and 20,000 extinctions occur each year.
when species of plants and animals go extinct, many other species are affected.

27. Threats to biodiversity
Habitat destruction
Pollution
Species Introductions
Global Climate Change
Exploitation

28. Island Biodiversity
Single islands (mountain tops) always have fewer species than areas on the “mainland” of similar size
Because islands are isolated, it will be harder for species to immigrate to them, lowering the rate of immigration.
Because of limited resources on islands, carrying capacity will be lower, decreasing population sizes and increasing extinction rates.

29. Island Biodiversity
Theory of island biogeography has been termed the 'First Law of Conservation Biology.' 
Because of human actions, natural habitats are becoming increasingly isolated and island-like. 
By identifying potential mechanisms underlying the loss of species diversity, Island Biogeography Theory may help suggest ways in which we can design nature reserves to maximize their ability to maintain diversity.

30. Habitat Fragmentation
Biodiversity often increases when habitats are fragmented
Many species need large areas
Typically large ranges
Availability of food
Protection from predators and invaders (Example: cowbirds and songbird decline)
Corridors as solution?

31. Exotic Species Volunteers – natural chance immigrants (cattle egrets)
Unintentional (rats, English sparrows)
Escaped ornamentals (kudzu, purple loosestrife)
Escaped pets (feral cats, house finches)
Escaped domestic animals (pigs, goats)
Bio-control gone haywire (mongooses)
Most exotics not street smart
Vigorous exotics have no natural predators
Hawaii: 80% overrun by exotic species

32. Island Biodiversity and Reserves
A large reserve is better than a small reserve
A single undivided reserve is better than a number of small reserves
A few large reserves are better than a number of small reserves
Reserves should be spaced equally from another, not linearly
Linear reserves should be connected with corridors
If reserve is small and isolated, it should be circular and not linear

33. Mass Extinctions

34. Mass Extinctions
The higher the taxonomic level, the lower the extinction level
Easy to wipe out a species, hard to wipe out a family
250 m.y. ago: 90% of species lost, 50% of families, some orders, no phyla

35. Extinct Species About 2100 dinosaur fossils in museums
285 genera, 336 species
May have been genera total
Compare to 1300 living mammal genera
About 30,000 marine invertebrate genera (more genera living now)

36. Diversity and the Fossil Record
Incomplete
Many organisms will never be fossilized
No hard parts
Rare or very restricted
Environments where fossilization unlikely
Often impossible to distinguish species
Have to rely on skeletons, shells, hard parts
No information on coloration
No information on internal organs