1. Biodiversity Biodiversity: the variety of life in an area. Importance: A species loss may have consequences for other species Animals need plants plants need pollinators Trees need decomposers to restore nutrients Humans depend on other organisms Oxygen is supplied and Co 2 is removed by plants and algae Diverse diets Clothing, furniture,and building materials Manufacture Drugs that improve health

2. Extinction: the disappearance of a species Loss of Biodiversity Passenger pigeonsWoodland caribouLeopard frog

3. Threatened Species Threatened species: a rapid decline of a population of species Elephants Logger-head Turtles Sea Otters

4. Endangered Species Endangered species: when a species numbers become low enough to become extinct Florida manateesCalifornia condor Black Rhinoceros

5. Threats to Biodiversity Human population growth and development Habitat Loss - cutting down rain forests Habitat fragmentation - highways that separate Habitat degradation - damage by pollution Acid rain: low pH from coal-burning factories & nitrogen oxides from auto exhausts combine with water vapor. Ozone Layer (O 3 ): Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) break down ozone layer that protects Earth from UV rays. Water Pollution - Excess fertilizers and wastes Land Pollution - solid wastes Exotic Species Introduced - Take over original population Zebra mussels

6. Conservation of Biodiversity Legal Protections of species Preserving habitats Reintroduction programs The Gray Wolf

7. The End Black-footed Ferret