BiodiversityBiodiversity• Bio - Life• Diversity - Variety

Biodiversity describes the variety of biological organisms in a given habitat,

area, or ecosystem.

Levels of BiodiversityLevels of Biodiversity• Ecosystem Diversity• Species Diversity• Genetic Diversity

EcosystemEcosystem

An ecosystem is a community of living organisms, such as plants and animals, along with their environment, that is all interrelated.

Specialist or Generalist?

• Bobcat• Pronghorn• Black-tailed jackrabbit• Painted turtle

Specialist or Generalist?Specialist or Generalist?

SpeciesSpeciesA species is a group of organisms with a unique set of characteristics, such as shape or behavior, that distinguishes them from all other organisms.

InsectsHigher PlantsArthropods (non-insect)Fungi and Algae

Sea InvertebratesProtozoa and BacteriaWormsBirds

FishReptilesMammalsAmphibians

Worldwide Biodiversity

Birds9800

Higher Plants250000

Reptiles 6500

Worms36200

Sea Invertebrates70100

Arthropods (non insect)190000

Fungi and Algae109000

Amphibians4200

Mammals4327

Protozoa and Bacteria44800

Insects1000000

Fish8500

Birds Higher Plants Reptiles Worms

Sea Invertebrates Arthropods (non insect) Fungi and Algae Amphibians

Mammals Protozoa and Bacteria Fish Insects

Biodiversity HotspotsBiodiversity Hotspots

Species diversitySpecies diversity• To measure stability to determine if

an environment is degrading• To compare two or more

environments

Species RichnessSpecies Richness

The numberof species in a particular place.

Species EvennessThe relative quantities or

proportions of individuals belonging to the different species.

Species EvennessThe relative quantities or

proportions of individuals belonging to the different species.

• The number of species in the area (numerator)• The total number of individuals in the area

(denominator )

4 = .33

12

Is the community comprised of mainly one species or is a mix of several DIVERSE species?

2 = .17

12

5 = 1

5

Results closer to 1 are an indicator of greater species evenness.

Simpson’s IndexSimpson’s Index

• Many diversity indices have been developed that combine different measures of biodiversity. One is called the Simpson’s Index.

• The Simpson’s Index includes BOTH species richness and species evenness in a single number.

How to Calculate Simpson’s IndexHow to Calculate Simpson’s Index

• D is the Simpson’s Index

• n is the total number of organisms of a particular species

• N is the total number of organisms of all species

• ∑ means “add up”!

D =∑ n(n - 1)N(N - 1)

Let’s Try an ExampleLet’s Try an Example

• You have studied a specific site, and have counted the individuals of five different species.

• n is the total number of organisms of a particular species.

Species A 12

Species B 3

Species C 7

Species D 4

Species E 9

n

Simpson’s IndexSimpson’s Index

∑ n(n - 1) = 264

D = ∑ n(n - 1)

N(N - 1) Species A 12 11 132

Species B 3 2 6

Species C 7 6 42

Species D 4 3 12

Species E 9 8 72

∑ n(n - 1) 264

n - 1 n(n - 1)n

Simpson’s IndexSimpson’s Index

D = ∑ n(n - 1)N(N - 1)

N - 1 = 34 N(N - 1) = 1190N = total number of all individuals = 35

=264

N(N - 1)

D =264

1190= 0.22184

This area would score 0.22184 on the Simpson’s Index. The scale ranges from 0–1, with 1 representing the lowest biodiversity. Therefore, the score for this area indicates a high level of biodiversity.

Genetic DiversityGenetic Diversity

Variety of genes within and between different species.

CheetahCheetah

• About 10,000 years ago all but one species of the cheetah.

Our DiversityOur Diversity

Loose Attached

Regular HitchhikerWidow’s Peak

Our DiversityOur DiversityTrait Frequency Frequency

Gender Female – 50% Male – 50%

Earlobes Unattached – 71% Attached – 29%

Thumb extension Straight – 64-75% Hitchhikers – 25 – 36%

Tongue Rolling Can roll - 65% Can’t roll – 35%

Cheek Dimples Dimples – 35% None – 65%

Handedness Right – 90% Left – 10%

Hand clasping Left over right – 55% Right over left – 45%

Hair Curl Curly – 65% Straight – 35%

Hairline Widow’s – 70% Straight – 30%

Color Vision Normal – females 100%, Males 92%

Color blind – Males 8%

• (L) Loose lobes

• (tt) Straight hair

• (C) Can curl• (mm) No hair• (E) Dark eyes• (ww) No peak• (B) bent finger•Number

Biodiversity:The Spice of Life

Biodiversity:The Spice of Life

Why Is Biodiversity Important?Why Is Biodiversity Important?1. For medical and

economic reasons.

2. Biodiversity helps maintain important ecological processes that help support life on earth.

3. Our lives would not be as rich if we lost species.

4. All species have a right to exist.

5. No generation has the right to destroy resources that future generations will depend on.

6. Is important for inspiring inventors and artists and for spurring curiosity and imagination.

7. Is important for recreational activities.

8. Other?

Risks for Loss of Biodiversity

Risks for Loss of Biodiversity

• Habitat Loss• Invasive Species• Pollution• Population Growth• Overcomsumption

Extinct - ExtirpatedExtinct - Extirpated

A species is considered extinct if it has not been seen in the wild for at least fifty years.

10,000 years ago 1681

Species which are at a high risk of

becoming extinct in the near future, if nothing is done to

improve their situation.

Endangered Endangered

Selkirk Mountain Caribou

Sockeye salmon

Threatened SpeciesThreatened SpeciesSpecies which are likely to become endangered within the next 25 years, if nothing is done to improve their situation.

Canada Lynx Northern Idaho ground squirrel

Grizzly Bear

Candidate SpeciesCandidate Species

Greater Sage

Grouse

North American wolverine

Sensitive SpeciesSensitive SpeciesSpecies for which population viability is a concern.

Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout Northern Leopard Frog

Townsend's Big-eared Bat

Pygmy Rabbit

Canada Lynx(Threatened)

Canada Lynx(Threatened)

The lynx requires large areas of forest to hunt, and those areas are getting smaller due to development.

Yellow-billed Cuckoo(Candidate)

Yellow-billed Cuckoo(Candidate)

Logging, cattle grazing, dams, water diversions, water pumping and pollution have destroyed the West's rivers and riparian forests.

Ute’s Ladies TressesUte’s Ladies Tresses

Spiranthes diluvialis

Perennial orchid. Grows in moist soils along streams or springs.

Threatened

Pygmy Rabbit (Globally Imperiled)

Pygmy Rabbit (Globally Imperiled)

• Pygmy Rabbits are sagebrush obligates.

Greater Sage-Grouse(Candidate)

Greater Sage-Grouse(Candidate)

• Throughout their lives, sage grouse are found in or near sagebrush.

Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat(State sensitive)

Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat(State sensitive)

• Habitat loss• Sensitive to human

disturbance• Pesticides and other

environmental contaminants destroy the prey base.

Northern Leopard Frog(Rangewide Impaired Species)

Northern Leopard Frog(Rangewide Impaired Species)

Water pollution (herbicide, fertilizer, and mosquito control), bull frogs and predatory fish like bass (introduced), Red-leg Disease

Meadow Frog

ReviewReview

• Biodivesity• Species• Ecosystem• HIPPO• Extinct• Extirpated• Threatened