1. Healthy Ecosystems: BIODIVERSITY

2. Biodiversity variety of different species of micro-organisms, animals and plants all organisms must interact ecosystems could not survive without biodiversity

3. Three Types of Biodiversity TYPE I: Community biodiversity: – the different types of communities or ecosystems that exist on earth – what types of examples are there?

5. TYPE II: Genetic Biodiversity: – differences that occur within a single species – species: related group of organisms that share a similar form and can produce fertile offspring – genes in a species allow for differences in characteristics – more genetic diversity = better chance of adapting to new conditions Three Types of Biodiversity

6. Example 1

7. Example 2

8. TYPE III: Species Biodiversity: – involves all species of life on earth – estimates: 10 – 30 million different species – only recorded about 1.9 million – Delicate Biodiversity.mov Delicate Biodiversity.mov – we are currently losing biodiversity Three Types of Biodiversity

9. Mass Extinctions where many species die out 5 in history cause: environmental factors are we going through a 6 th mass extinction? rate of die off faster than the normal rate over the past 60 million years

10. Since last mass extinction – more species evolving faster than species dying off Now, because of human activities, species are becoming extinct faster than new species evolve Biggest cause: habitat loss and destruction Endangered Animals in China Indonesia and India.mov Endangered Animals in China Indonesia and India.mov

11. Why Care? key to healthy ecosystems humans rely on biodiversity to provide ecological goods and services » food » waste treatment » soil formation » production of oxygen » pollination » pest control » climate regulation » disease control

12. Limiting Factors environmental factors that prevent a population from growing can prevent moving into other areas can be biotic or abiotic – what are examples?

13. Key Factors all factors play a role key limiting factors include: – scarcity of water or sunlight – absence of prey – absence of habitat – too few members to reproduce and pass on genetic diversity

14. What Is Canada Doing? Protect organisms that are threatened of disappearing The Species At Risk Act (SARA)

15. SARA (Species At Risk Act) prevent indigenous species from becoming extinct or extirpated (local extinction) provide recovery of endangered species encourage management of other species to prevent becoming at risk

17. Assessment Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) Decides status on species and provides designation SARA ensures organisms are protected and managed

18. Designation 1.Extinct 2.Extirpated 3.Endangered 4.Threatened 5.Special Concern 6.Not At Risk

19. Group Activity Read the report Describe: – biology – why threatened – status – distribution – habitat Use words, pictures, or anything to convey your message

20. SOME CANADIAN ENDANGERED SPECIES

21. A Scenario.... The Canadian Government only has enough money to properly protect and manage one of these species. Which one should it be? Prove your case to the Committee