Brain PopBrain Pop

Explain if you feel that Explain if you feel that Keystone species are Keystone species are

vital to the ecosystem? vital to the ecosystem?

Biodiversity at Biodiversity at RiskRisk

A World Rich in A World Rich in BiodiversityBiodiversity

Biodiversity aka Biological Biodiversity aka Biological diversity= number of diversity= number of

different species in a given different species in a given areaarea

3 levels of diversity..3 levels of diversity..1. Species diversity1. Species diversity2. Ecosystem diversity2. Ecosystem diversity3. Genetic diversity3. Genetic diversity

Known DiversityKnown Diversity Number is 1.7 Number is 1.7

million; million; most are insectsmost are insects

Unknown Unknown speciesspecies

Approximately Approximately 10 million10 million

Species DiversitySpecies Diversity : Number of : Number of different species in an area; most different species in an area; most

popular of the threepopular of the three

Genetic Genetic DiversityDiversity: : all the all the different genes different genes contained within contained within all members of a all members of a populationpopulation

Ecosystem Ecosystem DiversityDiversity: : Variety Variety of ecological of ecological habitats, habitats, communities and communities and structural structural processes withinprocesses within

Benefits of BiodiversityBenefits of Biodiversity Humans benefit from this.. How?Humans benefit from this.. How? Keystone speciesKeystone species: vital to the : vital to the

functioning of ecosystemfunctioning of ecosystem Survival of a species is based upon Survival of a species is based upon

genetic diversity (GD)genetic diversity (GD) Genetic diversityGenetic diversity: increase the : increase the

chances that some species will chances that some species will survive the changes in the survive the changes in the environmentenvironment

Medical, Industrial & Medical, Industrial & Agricultural UsesAgricultural Uses

MedicalMedical: Companies have used : Companies have used plants to create drugs; help maintain plants to create drugs; help maintain health of populationhealth of population

Cross hybridsCross hybrids are eaten on a daily are eaten on a daily bases; Combining the genetic bases; Combining the genetic material from more than one material from more than one populationpopulation

Ethics, Aesthetics, Ethics, Aesthetics, RecreationRecreation

EcotourismEcotourism: : Form of tourism Form of tourism that supports that supports the the conservation conservation and sustainable and sustainable development of development of an ecological an ecological unique area.unique area.

ExtinctionsExtinctions The extinction of almost ½ of the The extinction of almost ½ of the

world species was caused by change world species was caused by change in Earth’s climate 65 million years agoin Earth’s climate 65 million years ago

Mass extinctionMass extinction: extinction of many : extinction of many species in a short period of timespecies in a short period of time

Years 1800-2100: up to 25% of Years 1800-2100: up to 25% of species will become extinctspecies will become extinct

What is the major contributing factor?What is the major contributing factor? HumansHumans

Species Prone to Species Prone to ExtinctionExtinction

3 factors3 factors

1.1. Those that Those that migratemigrate

2.2. Those who need Those who need large specific large specific habitatshabitats

3.3. Exploited by Exploited by humanshumans

Endangered Endangered species:species: Likely to Likely to become extinct if become extinct if protective measures protective measures are not takenare not taken

Threatened speciesThreatened species::

Has a declining Has a declining population and are population and are likely to become likely to become endangered if not endangered if not protectedprotected

How do Humans cause How do Humans cause ExtinctionExtinction

4 ways4 ways

1.1.Destroying habitatsDestroying habitats

2.2.Introducing non-native Introducing non-native speciesspecies

3.3.PollutionPollution

4.4.Overharvesting of cropsOverharvesting of crops

Habitat Destruction Habitat Destruction & Fragmentation& Fragmentation

Losing their habitat Losing their habitat causing 75% causing 75% extinctionextinction

Invasive Exotic Invasive Exotic speciesspecies Exotic Exotic species that are not species that are not native to a particular native to a particular region and can result region and can result in in

threatening species threatening species already living there already living there (competition or (competition or predation)predation)

Harvesting, hunting, Harvesting, hunting, and poachingand poaching

Poaching: illegally Poaching: illegally harvesting, fishing, harvesting, fishing, or trading wildlifeor trading wildlife

PollutionPollution-DDT has -DDT has been known to cause been known to cause harm in the bald harm in the bald eagle populationeagle population

Areas of Critical Areas of Critical BiodiversityBiodiversity

Endemic Species: Endemic Species: Species that are Species that are native to and found native to and found only in a limited only in a limited areaarea

Tropical Tropical rainforestrainforest: : Unknown species Unknown species and its diversity are and its diversity are decreasing due to decreasing due to habitat destructionhabitat destruction

Biodiversity Biodiversity hotspotshotspots: :

Are on Earth with Are on Earth with most diversity, most diversity, highly highly threatenedthreatened

Classroom AssignmentClassroom Assignment

1.1. Is it possible to put a price on a Is it possible to put a price on a single species? Explain your single species? Explain your answer.answer.

2.2. Which of the various threats to Which of the various threats to biodiversity do you think will be biodiversity do you think will be most difficult to stop? Which are most difficult to stop? Which are hardest to justify? Write a hardest to justify? Write a paragraph to explain your opinion.paragraph to explain your opinion.