4.1.1 biodiversity 4.1.1 define the terms biodiversity, genetic diversity, species diversity and...
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4.1.1 Biodiversity
4.1.1 Define the terms biodiversity, genetic diversity, species diversity and habitat diversity.
BiodiversityBiodiversity
• The amount of biological diversity per unit area.
• Influenced by climate (what is the most diverse biome?)
• It includes: genetic, habitat and species diversity
Genetic DiversityGenetic DiversityIs the total number of genetic characteristics of a specific species within a population.
Species DiversitySpecies Diversity
Is the number of species or organisms per unit area found in different habitats of the planet.
Habitat DiversityHabitat DiversityVariety of forests, deserts, grasslands, lakes, oceans, coral reefs, wetlands, and other biological communities, (niches per unit area).
If habitat diversity is conserved than this usually leads to the conservation of species and genetic diversity.
Why is biodiversity important?
Diversity = stability Nature’s insurance policy against
change The source of all natural capital for
human use The way chemical materials are
cycled and purified The end result of millions of years
of evolution and irreplaceable
The 19 Most Biodiverse countries in the world.What is the Problem with this?
Biodiversity Hotspots need special consideration
HOTSPOTS: These areas need emergency conservation
attention Especially rich in endemic plant and animal
species (found nowhere else in the world) They cover on 1.4% of world land area Mostly tropical forests Contain 60% of identified terrestrial
biodiversity 55% of all primates, 22% of all carnivores 1.1 billion people living in poverty near
these sites $500 million annually would go far to
ensure their preservation
State of US species.State of US species.
Projected Status of BiodiversityProjected Status of Biodiversity1998–20181998–2018
Critical and endangered Threatened Stable or intact
ANTARCTICA
NORTHAMERICA
EUROPE
AFRICA
ASIA
SOUTHAMERICA AUSTRALIA
PacificOcean
Antarctic Circle
PacificOcean
Tropic of Cancer
Tropic of CapricornIndianOcean
AtlanticOcean
150°90°60°E0°30°W90°120°150°0°
60°
30°N
30°S
60°
Arctic CircleArctic Circle
Why Should We Care About Why Should We Care About Biodiversity?Biodiversity?
Why Should We Care About Why Should We Care About Biodiversity?Biodiversity?
• Instrumental value: Usefulness to us
• Intrinsic Value: because they exist (rather useful or not to us).
GoodsGoods Food, fuel, ecosystems, species, fiber, lumber, paper, …
90% of today’s food crops
40% of all medicines (85% of antibiotics)
Foxglove
Digitalis purpurea, EuropeDigitalis for heart failure
Pacific yew
Taxus brevifolia, Pacific NorthwestOvarian cancer
Biological Value:Biological Value: Flow of materials, energy, and information in the biosphere
Photosynthesis
Pollination
Soil formation and maintenance
Nutrient recycling
Moderation of weather extremes
Purification of air and water
Genetic Value:Genetic Value:Genetic information: adaptation and
evolutionGenetic information for genetic
engineeringEducational and scientific information
Recreation:Recreation:
Existence
Aesthetic
Protect natural capital for future generations
Nonutilitarian:Nonutilitarian:
• Hunting, fishing, swimming, scuba diving, water skiing, . . . .
• Eco-tourism