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Biodiversity and Conservation
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What is biodiversity? Bio = life
Diversity = differences among organisms Biodiversity = the variety of living organisms found in an area Where can you find biodiversity?
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Biodiversity varies around the world:
Do you see a pattern? Number of species of mammals: Canada – 163 US – 367 Mexico – 439 In one hectare of forest you are likely to find: Peru – 300 tree species US – 30 tree species or less
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Where are you most likely to find the MOST biodiversity?
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Why is biodiversity important?
Organisms are adapted to live together! Ecologists know many relationships – many have yet to be discovered What could happen if lack of biodiversity leads to… Loss of a major predator? Breaking the relationship among symbiotic organisms?
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What is meant by the phrase “Life depends on life?”
Animals need plants Plants couldn’t exist without animals to pollinate Plants need decomposers to break down nutrients Living things create niches for other living things!
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Importance to People What does biodiversity offer to Humans? Biodiversity gives humans: Oxygen Diverse diet Materials (clothes, furniture, buildings) Medicinal supplies (world pharmacy) Penicillin cam from the mold Penicillium Antimalarial drug came from the cinchona tree Preserving biodiversity ensures there will be living things to use in the future!
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Loss of Biodiversity Extinct Endangered Threatened
Disappearance of a species numbers so low that extinction is possible Population declining rapidly Ex) Dodo Bird, Tasmanian tiger Ex) Peregrine Falcon, Black Footed Ferret Ex) Polar Bear, Boreal Toad
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Extinct Animals and Plants
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Endangered Plants/Animals
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Threats to Biodiversity
Species are usually well adapted to their habitats… What happens when these habitats are changed?
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Threats to Biodiversity
Habitat loss Habitat fragmentation Habitat degradation Water/Land pollution Introduction of exotics
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Habitat Loss Habitat loss = removal/disappearance of habitat
Effect: organism are displaced (must go somewhere else) Ex: deer in your yard bears in garbage
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Habitat Fragmentation
Habitat fragmentation = obstruction (road, development, etc) that separates a habitat into sections Example: Road through a forest prevents animals/plants from moving to other side
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Habitat Fragmentation
Can cause problems with Migration “island effect” or – smaller less biodiversity Invasion of exotic species Lack of reintroduction after fires Changes is climate Edge effect
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Habitat Fragmentation
Edge Effect= changes along ecosystem boundaries
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Habitat Fragmentation
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Habitat Degradation= to make a habitat unlivable
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Habitat Degradation: Pollution
Pollution can be air, water, or land Examples: Acid Precipitation CFC’s in atmosphere
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Acid Precipitation
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CFC’s, ozone, and global climate change… oh, my!
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Introduction of Exotic/Invasive Species
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Introduction of Exotic/Invasive Species
Do not belong in habitat Few/no predators in new habitat Reproduce/spread out of control
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Introduction of Exotic/Invasive Species
Woolly Aldegid
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Introduction of Exotic/Invasive Species
Kudzu
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Introduction of Exotic/Invasive Species
Pythons in Everglades
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Conservation of Biodiversity
Conservation biology = a new field that studies methods and implements plans to protect biodiversity Effective strategies are based on ecological principles Many species are threatened because of people, so working with humans is a major part of conservation biology
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Legal Protection US Endangered Species Act
CITES (Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species)
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Habitat Preservation
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Habitat Preservation What does it mean to be sustainable?
Sustainable use = using resources wisely – waste less Habitat Corridors = connect pieces of land to overcome habitat fragmentation
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Preservation What does a reintroduction program try to do?
Example: California condors What does a zoo/captivity aim to do? What is a seed bank?
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Preservation Captivity – under human control
Reintroduction – putting species back in natural environment
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What kinds of problems are there with reintroduction?
Animals may lose natural instinct Loss of natural instincts is harder on animals than plants What kinds of problems might plant reintroductions have?
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