BIODIVERSITYBIODIVERSITYTerm first used in 1988 by

Edward O. WilsonBio= lifeDiversity= difference or varietyBiodiversity= variety of life

Types of BiodiversityTypes of BiodiversityDiversity of ecosystems in

biosphere- Deserts, rainforests, prairies, etc.- On land, biodiversity decreases as you approach the poles

Diversity of species in ecosystems- plants, animals, fungi, bacteria protists and archaebacteria

Diversity of genes within a species- eye color in humans, coat color in wolves

ECOSYSTEM DIVERSITYECOSYSTEM DIVERSITY

SPECIES BIODIVERSITYSPECIES BIODIVERSITY

Scientists

believe 50-

90% of all

species on

earth are

found in

tropical

rainforests!

More species = more biodiversity. More species in an ecosystem means more pathways for energy to flow through the ecosystem. This makes the ecosystem strong. Fewer pathways for energy flow make the ecosystem vulnerable.

15 species 5 species

DIVERSE FOOD WEB SIMPLE FOOD WEB

HOW SPECIES RICHNESS AFFECTS ECOSYSTEM STABILITY

GENETIC BIODIVERSITYGENETIC BIODIVERSITYEach individual

within a population has a unique genetic make-up

Variation in traits helps to ensure at least part of the population will survive

Loss of genetic diversity can leave a population vulnerable to environmental changes

HUMAN IMPACT ON HUMAN IMPACT ON BIODIVERSITYBIODIVERSITY

Environmental impacts◦Pollution, desertification, etc.

Habitat loss◦But we NEED another Starbucks

store!Artificial selection and genetic engineering

WHAT CAN YOU DO?WHAT CAN YOU DO?Reduce what you consumeReuse when possibleRecycle when necessaryPreserve habitatsProtect diversity!