Ch.

10 Biodiversity

Section 1

What is biodiversity?

Biodiversity number of different species in a given area Extinction when last members of a species die 1.7 million known species (mostly insects) Another 8 million estimated unknown species

Levels of diversity
Species diversity - # of different species (most studied) Ecosystem diversity variety of habitats, communities, and ecological processes within an ecosystem Genetic diversity all the different genes within a population

Benefits of Biodiversity
Healthy ecosystems depend on all of the species within them
Maintains balanced cycles of energy and nutrients When too many species are taken from a food web it will collapse

Keystone species critical to maintaining balance within an ecosystem

Ie. Sea otter eats sea urchins which eat kelp Sea otter is hunted almost to extinction, sea urchins overpopulate, kelp beds are eaten away

More benefits
Ethics, recreation
All species have a right to exist ecotourism Genetic diversity within a species increases the chance that some individuals will survive environmental changes When populations shrink, genetic diversity shrinks of prescribed drugs come from plants Antibiotics come from fungi Unknown uses for biological material Food

Species and population survival

Medical, industrial, agricultural use

Section 10.2 Risks to Biodiversity

SEV5. Students will recognize that human beings are part of the global ecosystem and will evaluate the effects of human activities and technology on ecosystems.

EQ: How do humans cause a decrease the earths biodiversity?

Extinctions
Mass extinctions extinction of many species within a short period of time
65 million years ago: climate and environmental changes caused half of the species to die Millions of years to rebound from mass extinctions

Current extinctions in midst of another mass extinction caused by humans

1800 -2100: 25% of species extinct (predicted)

Species prone to extinction

Species at risk
small populations in small areas migrating species species that need large or special habitats those exploited by humans

Endangered species likely to become extinct if protective measures are not used Threatened species declining population that will likely become endangered without protective measures

How do humans cause extinctions?

Destruction of habitats causes 75% of current extinction
Habitat destroyed to build homes and to harvest resources Ie: Florida panther down to less than 100

Introduction of nonnative species exotic species threaten native species because they have no natural defenses Pollution pesticides, cleaning agents, drugs are making their way into food webs Overharvesting species through hunting, harvesting, and poaching
Poaching illegal hunting, fishing, harvesting and trading of wildlife

Areas of critical biodiversity

Areas with large portion of endemic species (native to and found in limited area) Tropical Rainforests cover 7% of the earth and contain over half of worlds species Coral Reefs and Coastal Ecosytems small part of marine environment but contain the majority of species, 60% are threatened, migration routes Islands very distinct species that have evolved over time, not found anywhere else

Biodiversity Hotspots
Most threatened areas of high species diversity 25 areas around the world Most have lost 75% of original vegetation Mostly tropical rainforests, coastal areas, and islands Ie: Madagascar

Biodiversity in the US
Wide variety of ecosystems High numbers of species of freshwater fish, mussels, snails, crayfish High diversity among land plants

10.3 The Future of Biodiversity

What are ways in which biodiversity is protected?

Ways to save species

Captive Breeding Programs breeding in captivity and then reintroducing the population back into its natural habitat
I.e. California Condor

Preserving Genetic Material storing germ plasm (reproductive cells of plants and animals) Zoos, Aquariums, Parks and Gardens often house the last remaining individuals of a species
museums of the worlds biodiversity sometimes captive species dont reproduce small populations are vulnerable to genetic disorders from inbreeding these methods should be a last resort

Problems with these methods:

Preserving habitats and ecosystems

Most effective way is to preserve habitats which often means preserving large areas of land Conservation strategies

Protect entire ecosystems rather than individual species Focus on worlds hotspots How large does a protected preserve have to be? How much fragmentation can an ecosystem tolerate?

More study needed

Legal Protections
US Laws
1973 Endangered Species Act
Established list of threatened and endangered species Protects any endangered species from human harm guilty parties are fined Prevents the govt. from carrying out any project that threatens an endangered species Establish recovery plans

Recovery and Habitat Conservation Plans

Usually compromises between human interests and species interests Habitat conservation plan attempts to protect one or more species across large areas of land through trade-offs

International Cooperation

IUCN International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources International Trade and Poaching
CITES Treaty placed ban on trade of ivory stopping the slaughter of African elephants Created in Earth Summit Preserve biodiversity and ensure the sustainable and fair use of genetic resources in all countries Objected to by some political groups

The Biodiversity Treaty

Private Conservation Efforts

World Wildlife Fund Nature Conservancy Conservation International Greenpeace

Balancing Human Needs

Sometimes endangered species represent a food source or source of income Species not valued or understood Development of land for human use / economic use vs. Preservation of habitats