1. Biodiversity and Conservation
Chapter 7
Biodiversity and Conservation

2. Section 1
Our Planet of Life

3. Biodiversity
The variety of life across all levels of ecological organization.
Species biodiversity
Genetic biodiversity
Ecosystem biodiversity

4. Species Biodiversity
Number or variety of species in a particular region

5. Species What determines one species from another? Similar DNA
Can interbreed and produce fertile offspring

6. Species How do scientists classify organisms?
Taxonomic classification:
Kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species
2 part scientific name includes genus and species
Human Homo sapiens
Tiger Panthera tigris

7. Taxonomic Classification

8. Subspecies
Population of organisms that has genetically based characteristics that differ from members of the same species in a different area.
Example - size & color
Not enough to classify as a separate species

9. Genetic Biodiversity
Differences in DNA among individuals within species & population
Without diversity how can a species handle
Disease
Environmental change

10. Ecosystem Biodiversity
The number and variety of ecosystems within a given area.
Rocky seashore vs farmland

11. Biodiversity Distribution
Figure 7.5
Increase in species diversity near the equator
Latitudinal gradient

12. # of species 1.7 - 2 million species known
Best guess estimates that there are approx million
# of species

13. Benefits of Biodiversity
Ecosystem services
Purification of water and air
Control of pests
Control of diseases
Decomposition of wastes
Provides fuel, food, & fiber

14. Benefits of Biodiversity
Ecosystem stability
Resistent
Resilient
Resist environmental change
Bounce back

15. Benefits of Biodiversity
Removal of a species from an ecosystem
Keystone species?
echinoblog.blogspot.com

16. Benefits of Biodiversity
Agriculture
Crossbreed to pass on traits that will improve genetic diversity
Medicine
Extinction means a loss of diversity and a loss of possible cures for diseases

17. Section 2
Extinction and Biodiversity Loss

18. Extirpation Disappearance of a particular population from a given area
Not the entire species
Causes a species to get closer to extinction
Why does human settlement seem to mean extinction for other organisms?
What can we do about it?

19. Why does human settlement seem to mean extinction for other organisms?
What can we do about it?

20. Background Rate of Extinction
Extinctions occurring one by one

21. Mass Extinction
Extinction rates exceed the background rate of extinction
At least 5 in Earth’s history
6th mass extinction

22. Categorizing at-risk species
Threatened – likely to become endangered in all or part of an area
Endangered - serious risk of extinction

23. Categorizing at-risk species
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
A global list
video

24. Categorizing at-risk species
Living Planet Index
System to track species decline
video

25. Biodiversity Loss 4 causes Habitat change and loss Invasive species
Pollution
Overharvesting
video

26. Biodiversity Loss Habitat change and loss
Greatest cause of biodiversity loss
Habitat fragmentation
video

27. Biodiversity Loss Invasive species
Introduction of a non-native species to an ecosystem
No limiting factors
Displace native species

28. Biodiversity Loss Pollution Overharvesting
Hunted faster than a species can replenish itself

29. Biodiversity Loss Poaching - illegal capture or killing of an organism
WWF rhino
Is climate change going to become the greatest cause of biodiversity loss?