1. Threats to Biodiversity

2. Biodiversity What is biodiversity? – The total diversity of life Why is it important? – One of Earth’s greatest natural resources – Provides food and goods – Provides medicines – Loss of ecosystem stability – Biological life support system- How? – Video -- Why the Ocean Matters -- National Geographic Video -- Why the Ocean Matters -- National Geographic

3. Air Pollution Pollution- water and air pollution – Microscopic air particles – Waste products from factories and sewers – Household chemicals poured down kitchen sink – Harmful effects- immediate or delayed – Examples of air pollution- smog & acid rain Is greenhouse effect and global warming the same thing?

4. Water Pollution Water pollution – Chemical contaminants, raw sewage, trash – Can put entire freshwater ecosystems at risk

5. Water Pollution Indicator species provide a sign of an ecosystem’s health – Amphibians – Top predators

6. Water Pollution Biomagnification causes accumulation of toxins in the food chain – Pollutants can move up the food chain Predators eat contaminated prey Pollution accumulates at each stage of the food chain – Top consumers, including humans are most affected Visual concept

7. Habitat Destruction Loss of habitat eliminates a species – Habitat fragmentation prevents an organism from accessing its entire home range Occurs when a barrier forms within the habitat Often caused by human development Greatest threat to biodiversity= habitat destruction

8. Introduced Species Introduced species can disrupt stable relationships in an ecosystem – Species brought to an ecosystem by humans Accidental Purposeful – Invasive species can have an environmental and economic impact Often push out native species

9. Conserving Biodiversity Goals of conservation biology – Wise management of natural resources – Preservation of habitats and wildlife – Protection of biodiversity Why is it important to preserve entire ecosystems? – Ensure that natural habitats and interactions of many different species are preserved at same time

10. Facts About Biodiversity Of the top-selling 150 prescription drugs— 79% come from nature ¼ of all prescription medicines have ingredients from plants 40% of World’s Economy and 80% of the needs of the poor are derived from biological resources