1. Biodiversity

2. Objectives: To explain the process of evolution by natural selection
To define adaptation

3. Evolution-change in the genetic makeup of populations over time
based on Charles Darwin’s theory of natural selection
natural selection is the mechanism through which evolution occurs

4. Darwin’s Theory of Natural Selection
1) Variation exists among individuals of a population.
2) Some variation is inherited.
3) Populations tend to produce more offspring than the environment can support.

5. Darwin’s Theory of Natural Selection (Continued)*
4) Organisms that are best adapted to the environment will survive and reproduce (“survival of the fittest”)

6. Adaptation-an inherited trait that increases an organism’s chance of survival and reproduction in a particular environment

7. Examples of Adaptations

8. Over time, an adaptation will appear
in a greater proportion of the
population.
Eventually, through the process of
evolution by natural selection, the
adaptation will spread throughout
the entire population.

9. Example of Natural Selection
peppered moth (Biston betularia)

10. Objectives: To define biodiversity
To explain ways in which biodiversity is important to ecosystems and humans

11. Biodiversity-the number and variety of different species in a given area
only 1.7 million of the estimated million species believed to exist on Earth have been discovered

12. Benefits of Biodiversity
1) species are connected to
ecosystems
each species plays an important role
in an ecosystem
every species is either dependent on
or depended upon by at least one
other species

13. keystone species – a species that is critical to the functioning of the ecosystem in which it lives
example – sea otter

14. 2) population survival
genetic variation increases the chances that some members of a population may survive environmental pressures or changes

15. 3) medical uses
75-80% of the world’s population uses medicines made almost exclusively from plants
about ¼ of prescription drugs contain ingredients derived from plants
Pacific yew

16. 4) industrial uses
undiscovered and poorly studied species represent a source of potential products for industry

17. 5) agricultural uses
most crops produced around the world originated from a few areas of high biodiversity
maize

18. 6) ethics, aesthetics, and recreation
ecotourism – form of tourism that supports the conservation and sustainable development of ecologically unique areas

19. Objectives:
To differentiate between endemic, threatened, endangered, and extinct species
To list characteristics of species most prone to extinction

20. endemic species-a species that is native to a particular area and that is found only there
lemur (Madagascar)

21. threatened species-a species that has been identified to become endangered in the foreseeable future
American alligator

22. endangered species-a species that is likely to become extinct if protective measures are not taken immediately
Karner blue butterfly
African elephant

23. extinct species-no longer found alive
golden toad

24. Characteristics of species most prone to extinction
1) wide-ranging species
require large blocks of habitat to maintain viable populations
Florida panther

25. 2) migratory species
need habitat and resources in different ecological regions at different times of the year for their survival
Golden-cheeked warbler

26. 3) habitat and resource specialists
require protection of very specific habitat types or resources
koala

27. 4) narrow-range endemic species
populations are small and confined to limited geographic areas
golden lion tamarin

28. 5) heavily exploited species
have high commercial value
rhinoceros

29. Objective:
To list and explain the major threats to biodiversity

30. Major Threats to Biodiversity
habitat destruction and fragmentation
use of land by human populations destroys and fragments habitats of other species
major cause of current extinctions
only about
70 adult
panthers
remain
in Florida

31. 2) invasive exotic species
exotic species – species that is not native to a particular region
threaten native species that have no natural defenses against them
gypsy moth

32. 3) harvesting, hunting, and poaching
poaching – illegal hunting, fishing, or harvesting of wildlife

33. 4) pollution
pesticides, cleaning agents, drugs, and other chemicals used by humans make their way into food webs

34. Objectives:
To list and describe the types of efforts to save individual species
To explain the advantages of protecting entire ecosystems rather than individual species

35. Methods of Preserving Individual Species
captive-breeding programs
involve breeding species in captivity, with the hope of reintroducing populations to their natural habitats
California condor

36. 2) preserving genetic material
germplasm-genetic material contained in the protoplasm of germ cells
stored in germplasm banks for future use in research or species-recovery efforts
stored as seeds, sperm, eggs, or pure DNA

37. 3) zoos, aquariums, parks, gardens
house the few remaining members of certain species
living museums of the world’s biodiversity

38. The most effective way to save species is to protect entire ecosystems rather than individual species.
may allow most of the species in an ecosystem to be saved instead of only the ones that have been identified as endangered

39. Objectives: To explain the purpose of the Endangered Species Act
To describe the main provisions of the Endangered Species Act

40. Endangered Species Act
passed by the U.S. Congress in 1973
protects any plant or animal species in danger of extinction
amended in 1978, 1982, and 1988

41. Major Provisions of the Endangered Species Act
1) The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) must compile a list of all endangered and threatened species in the United States.

42. 2) Listed species are protected from human harm.
prohibits “taking” (includes killing, capturing, harming, harassing) of a listed species
“taking” also includes habitat alteration resulting in harm to a listed species
anyone who harms, buys, or sells parts of these species is subject to a fine

43. 3) The federal government may not carry out any project that jeopardizes a listed species.
designates “critical habitat”
prevents reduction or destruction of habitat

44. 4) The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service must prepare a species recovery plan for each listed species.
plans propose to protect or restore habitat for each species

45. habitat conservation plan-plan that attempts to protect threatened or endangered species across large areas of land through trade-offs or cooperative agreements

46. Objective:
To describe worldwide efforts to prevent extinctions

47. International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN)-facilitates efforts to protect species and habitats at the global level
publishes Red Lists of species in danger of extinction around the world
advises governments on ways to manage their natural resources
sponsors conservation projects

48. Worldwide Efforts to Prevent Extinctions
1) CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species)

49. international treaty whose aim is to regulate international commercial wildlife trade so as not to be detrimental to the survival of the species (prevent poaching)

50. 2) Biodiversity Treaty
goal is to preserve biodiversity and ensure the sustainable and fair use of genetic resources in all countries
result of the first Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1992

51. 3) Private Conservation Efforts
Many private organizations work to protect species worldwide.
often more effective than government agencies

52. examples of private organizations
a) World Wildlife Fund
b) Nature Conservancy
c) Conservation International
d) Greenpeace