biodiversity unit 3 environmental science 1. what is diversity? diverse: differing from one another;...
TRANSCRIPT
Biodiversity
Unit 3
Environmental Science 1
What is diversity?
Diverse: differing from one another; composed of distinct or unlike elements or qualities Diversity: the condition of being diverseBiodiversity: Biological diversity in an environment indicated by number of different species of plants and animals
Why is there diversity?
Charles Darwin came up with the concept of “Law of Natural Selection” – meaning only the fittest survive
If only the fittest survive – why so much diversity?
Over time organisms develop a niche in the environment – they serve a purpose and in turn the environment needs that organism to function
Why is there diversity?
If only the strong survive, why are there so many organisms?
Three reasons:1. Because of niches
2. Geological separation
3. Environmental factors
Why is there diversity?
Niches:Niches are jobs or roles an organism has in a particular ecosystemIf two organisms are competing for the same niche the weaker organism will “lose” – this is simply called competitionAn exotic or invasive species has no competition or predators and can overtake and/or destroy an ecosystem
Why is there diversity?
Geologic separationFor example, the same species may be separated by migration, plate tectonics, etc and adapt to a new environment and as a result a new species forms
Environmental reasons
The warmer and wetter the climate the more diversity it can hold because there is less fluctuation in conditions
The Importance of Diversity
Biodiversity is important to human survival
For example, was seen in the potato famine of the 1840’s – only a few species of potatoes were planted and when a fungus killed off the potatoes 2 million people died of hunger and disease
Importance of Diversity
Reasons for preserving biodiversity
All life has a right to exist
Variety adds enjoyment to life
Diversity brings stability to our biosphere
Diversity has economic and medical value
Modern agriculture is tied to biodiversity
What effects biodiversity?
Competition is when two organisms are competing for similar resources – they both fill the same nicheWhen two organisms are in the same niche resources become scarce one or both organisms become effected
What effects biodiversity?
Adaptation effects biodiversity by increasing it – an organism that is adapted to a variety of environment is less limited in where it can live – that is one of the reasons why there are so many humans on the planet
How to Preserve Diversity
Set aside large areas of land to preserve the wilderness in the form of parks, monuments and wildlife refugesCollect, preserve and maintain a variety of seeds from different areasUse genetic engineering to change genetic information at the molecular level
Endangered Species
Extinct: the last remaining member of the species has died, or is presumed beyond reasonable doubt to have died
Examples: Thylacine, Dodo, Passenger Pigeon
Extinct in the wild: captive individuals survive, but there is no free-living, natural population
Examples: South China Tiger, Alagoas Curassow
Endangered Species
Critically endangered: faces an extremely high risk of extinction in the immediate future
Examples: Arakan Forest Turtle, Javan Rhino, Brazilian Merganser
Endangered: faces a very high risk of extinction in the near future
Examples: Blue Whale, Snow Leopard, African Wild Dog, Tiger, Albatross, Crowned Solitary Eagle
Endangered Species
Vulnerable: faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term
Examples: Cheetah, Gaur, Lion, Wolverine
Conservation Dependent: The following animal is not severely threatened, but the animal must depend on
Examples: Spotted Hyena, Leopard Shark, Black Caiman
Endangered Species
Near Threatened: may be considered threatened in the near future
Examples: Blue-billed Duck, Solitary Eagle, Small-clawed Otter , Maned Wolf
Least Concern: no immediate threat to the survival of the species
Examples: Brown Rat, Nootka Cypress, Wood Pigeon