• The biodiversity found in genes,

species, ecosystems, and ecosystem

processes is vital to sustaining life on

earth.

• Species diversity is very important to

Earth’s survival.

• So what determines if an

organisms is the same or different

species?

• Species - a group of organisms capable of

interbreeding and producing fertile

offspring

• Chimps vs. Humans

• 98.7% same DNA

• Wolf vs. Coyote

• 93%

• Species diversity

•Species - A set of individuals that can

mate and produce fertile offspring

•How many species?

•likely 10-14 million

•2 million species identified

• Insects make up most of the world’s

species.

• Insects make up 80% of species

• Around for ~400 million years

• Useful to humans and ecosystems

• Vital roles in sustaining life

•Pollinators

•Natural pest control

•Renewing soils

• Species diversity

• Genetic diversity - Variation with in

individuals of a species

• Ecosystem diversity – lots of different

biomes

Functional DiversityThe biological and chemical processes such as energyflow and matter recycling needed for the survival of species,communities, and ecosystems.

Genetic DiversityThe variety of genetic materialwithin a species or a population.

Species DiversityThe number and abundance of speciespresent in different communities

Ecological DiversityThe variety of terrestrial andaquatic ecosystems found inan area or on the earth.

Fig. 4-2, p. 61

• Human activities decrease the earth’s

biodiversity by causing the premature

extinction of species and by

destroying or degrading habitats

needed for the development of new

species.

• Biological extinction - species is gone from the Earth.

• Local extinction - All members of a species is gone in a specific area gone

• Endemic species – species found only in one area are especially vulnerable to extinction

• Natural extinction rate is usually 1-5 species a year.

• Speciation generally more rapid than extinction

• Mass extinction – 10-95% of species go

extinct 3-5 times in earth’s history

• Humans cause premature extinction

of species.

• Why?

• 1. Food

• 2. Competition

• 3. Fear

• 4. Habitat Destruction

•Listen Listen Listen

Listen!!!!!

• Species diversity/biodiversity

increases the sustainability of an

ecosystems.