15. What is Biodiversity? Definition: the number and variety of living organisms in an area

16. 34 hotspots identified by ecologists as important and endangered centers of biodiversity. Figure 10-26

18. Why is Biodiversity Important?

19. 1) Aesthetics -Visually pleasing, beautiful, pretty

20. 2) Economic Money!!

21. -Accounts for 6% of world GDP -growing 5% per year Ex. Ecotourism -2014: Yellowstone National Park had a record 3,513,486 visitors

22. 3) Agriculture Various plants for human needs

23. 4) Ecosystems Having biodiversity maintains the ecosystems. Lose a part, you may lose the ecosystem.

24. 5) Medicine Many of the medicines we use today are the result of naturally occurring plants and bacteria.