1. BIODIVERSITY An introduction to biodiversity. Summer 2010 Workshop in Biology and Multimedia for High School Teachers

2. Contents Overview of Biodiversity Overview of Biodiversity o Definition o How to measure o Importance o Factors affecting it Promoting Promoting Threats Threats o Conserving Biodiversity Life Sciences-HHMI Outreach. Copyright 2009 President and Fellows of Harvard College. Harvard University Life Sciences - HHMI Outreach Summer 2010 Workshop for Biology Teachers http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Fungi_of_Saskatchewan.JPG

3. Biodiversity Definitions Definitions o Basic: Variation of life in an area Variation of life in an area o Global: from the UN Convention on Biological Diversity “Variability among living organisms from all sources, including, inter alia, terrestrial, marine, and other aquatic ecosystems, and the ecological complexes of which they are part: this includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems.” “Variability among living organisms from all sources, including, inter alia, terrestrial, marine, and other aquatic ecosystems, and the ecological complexes of which they are part: this includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems.” Harvard University Life Sciences - HHMI Outreach Summer 2010 Workshop for Biology Teachers http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Blue_Linckia_Starfish.JPG

4. Biodiversity Definitions Definitions o Let’s make our own definition: The variation of living things either within a population, between populations or within an ecosystem(s). The variation of living things either within a population, between populations or within an ecosystem(s). o Biodiversity takes into account the variation of Species diversity Species diversity Ecosystem diversity Ecosystem diversity Genetic diversity Genetic diversity Molecular diversity Molecular diversity Harvard University Life Sciences - HHMI Outreach Summer 2010 Workshop for Biology Teachers http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Forest_fruits_from_Barro_Colorado.png

5. Measurement Any measurement of biodiversity needs to take into account: Any measurement of biodiversity needs to take into account: o Species Richness The number of species in a given area The number of species in a given area o Species Evenness The amount of individuals within each of those species The amount of individuals within each of those species A high biodiversity measurement = Good Ecosystem health A high biodiversity measurement = Good Ecosystem health Harvard University Life Sciences - HHMI Outreach Summer 2010 Workshop for Biology Teachers

6. Measurement Example Simpson Index Simpson Index o Simple Index to use o Compares the # of species of a population to the total populations Diversity= (number of one species/total number of species) 2 OR D=(n/N) 2 Harvard University Life Sciences - HHMI Outreach Summer 2010 Workshop for Biology Teachers

7. Importance-Ecological A healthy ecosystem: A healthy ecosystem: o Recycles nutrients o Purifies water o Habitat for organisms o Recover and withstands disasters From disease or climate From disease or climate Harvard University Life Sciences - HHMI Outreach Summer 2010 Workshop for Biology Teachers

8. Importance-Humans A healthy ecosystem provides: A healthy ecosystem provides: o Agriculture A greater variety of crops allow for a system-wide recovery when attacked and help to slow the spread of pathogens A greater variety of crops allow for a system-wide recovery when attacked and help to slow the spread of pathogens Harvard University Life Sciences - HHMI Outreach Summer 2010 Workshop for Biology Teachers o Medicine 50%of drugs in the US are derived from biological resources 80% of medicine worldwide is from biological sources From:Chivian E. & Bernstein A. (eds), 2008. Sustaining Life: How Human Health Depends on Biodiversity http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Rosy_periwinkle.jpg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Julieagroecosystem.jpg Rosy Periwinkle Fights Cancer

9. Importance-Humans A healthy ecosystem provides: A healthy ecosystem provides: o Industry Building materials Building materials Fibers Fibers Oils Oils Dyes Dyes o Leisure Outdoor activities Outdoor activities Harvard University Life Sciences - HHMI Outreach Summer 2010 Workshop for Biology Teachers http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Skovarbejder.jpg http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Karachi_-_Pakistan-market.jpg http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:River_Teign,_kayaker_in_the_distance.jpg

10. Biodiversity Distribution Biodiversity depends on: Biodiversity depends on: o Climate o Altitude o Soil o Other species Harvard University Life Sciences - HHMI Outreach Summer 2010 Workshop for Biology Teachers http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fritillaria_biflora2353293201.jpg The Chocolate Lily is endemic to California Biodiversity Hot Spots o Tropical Forest o High level of endemic species o Specialized habitats http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Castillejamollis.JPG Softleaf Indian Paintbrush

11. Biodiversity Distribution Myers, N., et al. (2000) "Biodiversity hotspots for conservation priorities." Nature 403:853–858 http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Biodiversity_Hotspots.svg

12. Species numbers 1.9 million species found to date 1.9 million species found to date Difficult to measure total numbers of species because: Difficult to measure total numbers of species because: o Only know a portion already o Little understanding of our world o Wiping out species at an unprecedented rate http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2005/sep/25/taxonomy.conservationanden dangeredspecies http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2005/sep/25/taxonomy.conservationanden dangeredspecies o Extinct species not found o Habitats not accessible http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:P_anguinus-head.jpg Olm http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Snottite.jpg Cave Bacteria Harvard University Life Sciences - HHMI Outreach Summer 2010 Workshop for Biology Teachers

13. Current species discovered vs. those yet to be discovered http://www.lemonde.fr/archives/article/2006/06/27/protection-de-la-biodiversite-un-inventaire-difficile_788741_0.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Undiscovered_species_chart.png Harvard University Life Sciences - HHMI Outreach Summer 2010 Workshop for Biology Teachers

14. Threats Means of decreasing biodiversity Means of decreasing biodiversity Major threats are: Major threats are: o Habitat destruction o Invasive species o Pollution Environment Environment Genetic Genetic o Overuse of natural resources o Climate change Harvard University Life Sciences - HHMI Outreach Summer 2010 Workshop for Biology Teachers

15. Loss of biodiversity Harvard University Life Sciences - HHMI Outreach Summer 2010 Workshop for Biology Teachers 197919912002 Great Aletsch Glacier in Switzerland showing a retreat of the ice http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Gletscherschmelze.jpg

16. Loss of biodiversity Old Growth Second Growth Harvard University Life Sciences - HHMI Outreach Summer 2010 Workshop for Biology Teachers http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Old_Growth_vs_Second_Growth.jpg

17. Loss of biodiversity http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bufo_periglenes1.jpg Golden Toad http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Spanish_ibex.jpg Pyrenean Ibex Baiji Dolphin http://species.wikimedia.org/wiki/Lipotes_vexillifer Extinct 1989 Extinct 2000 Extinct 2006 Harvard University Life Sciences - HHMI Outreach Summer 2010 Workshop for Biology Teachers

18. Conservation Ideas to save biodiversity What’s your plan? Harvard University Life Sciences - HHMI Outreach Summer 2010 Workshop for Biology Teachers