lawal m. marafa, ph.d
DESCRIPTION
A–Level Geography Seminar. Ecosystem and Biodiversity: Human Impacts and Conservation in HK. Lawal M. Marafa, Ph.D. Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK). OUTLINE : Ecosystem Biodiversity ( In HK ) Conservation Human Impact The Case of HK. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Lawal M. Marafa, Ph.D
Ecosystem and Biodiversity: Human Impacts and Conservation in HK
A–Level Geography Seminar
OUTLINE:
Ecosystem
Biodiversity (In HK)
Conservation
Human Impact
The Case of HK
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
The ecosystem
Ecosystem: is an energy-driven complex of a community of organisms and its controlling environment;
…..an ecological unit composed of living and non-living components interacting to produce a stable system;
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
Hierarchy
Organisms occur in populations, members of the same species that live together in the same area at the same time.
Ecosystem: hierarchical way to view the living organisms in the biosphere on earth
The ecosystem
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
is a classical example of an environmental system because it has the qualities of a functional system.
The ecosystem
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
Producers
Decomposers
Consumers
Three important qualities: a) the system is made up of component
parts, b) the parts work together, and c) the whole thing serves some purpose
The ecosystem
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
How does the ecosystem work?
Energy flows Nutrients cycle
The ecosystem
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
To summarize, energy enters the ecosystem as free, solar energy and leaves it as heat, having undergone changes from a ‘concentrated’ to a ‘dispersed’ state.
The ecosystem
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
Potential
Kinetic
The earth’s ecosystems are grouped into biomes characterized by particular plant and animal types, usually named for a region’s climate or dominant vegetation.
The ecosystem
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
So biomes contain many ecosystems (species)
The ecosystem
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
Darwin’s Theory of Evolution and
Survival of Species
What is a species? a population whose members are able to interbreed freely under natural conditions
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
Scientists can often trace the evolution of a complete group of species by looking at fossils.
Elephants (proboscideans) includes more than 150 species now extinct.
As time went by, their tusks, trunks, and bodies became larger.
Evolution of species
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
Finches
Evolution: a process of continuous change from a lower, simpler, or worse to a higher, more complex, or better state.
Evolution of speciesEcosystem, Biodiversity and
Conservation (HK)
appearance (morphology)appearance (morphology)
internal processes (physiology)internal processes (physiology)
ecological preferencesecological preferences
Evolution of species
Most organisms can be classified into distinct groups on the basis of their:
New species appear by mutation
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
the diversity of species present in any environment characterizes
a biome
Biomes represent the powerhouse of biodiversity
These variations and traits lead to biodiversity
Variation exists within species
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
Biodiversity can improve the stability of an entire community (ecosystem)
The maintenance of a healthy biodiversity is the function of plants, soils, climates, and indeed human activity
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
So what is Biodiversity?
The variation among organisms is referred to as biological diversity
Biodiversity, therefore, encompasses all species of plants, animals, and micro-organisms and the ecosystems and ecological processes of which they are part.
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
Biodiversity is usually considered at three different levels:
1. Genetic diversity,
2. Species diversity, and
3. Ecosystem diversity.
So what is Biodiversity?
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
Genetic Diversity
total of genetic information, contained in the genes of individual organisms
This is now the age of the DNA!!
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
Dolly
Variation in shell colour and banding patterns among populations of one species of snail
Genetic Diversity
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
Variation in corn
Ecosystem Diversity Relates to the variety of habitats,
biotic communities, and ecological processes in the biosphere,
as well as the tremendous diversity within ecosystems in terms of habitat differences
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
Species Diversity the variety of living
organisms on earth (variously estimated to be between 5 and 50 million)
only about 1.4 million have actually been described
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
the sustainability and well-being of human beings relies on biodiversity;
the best illustration is the development of human civilization;
several important events (agriculture):
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
The Importance of Biodiversity
Food
there are 7500 kinds of eatable plants. Only approximately 150 are agriculturally planted by man.
approx. 90% of food sources comes from about 20 crop species. Only wheat, rice and corn make up 70%
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
The Importance of Biodiversity
In some developing countries, wildlife is the main source of protein
Merchandise
Drugs
Fuel
Tourism and recreation and so on
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
The Importance of Biodiversity
The Importance of Biodiversity
Organisms also provide recreation, inspiration, and spiritual solace;
The belief that all organisms have the right to exist and that humans should not cause the extinction of other organisms is known as deep ecology.
Aesthetic and Ethical Values
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
The Importance of Biodiversity
biological diversity is valued by Judeo-Christian religions as evident in the story of Noah’s Ark
(which is considered to be the first “endangered species conservation project”)
Religious Values
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
BiodiversityHow much biodiversity is there?
1.4 million species have been described270,000 flowering plants950,000 insects40,000 are vertebratesmajority are small and inconspicuous &
unknown to scienceGlobal Total Species Number
(5 to 50 million)
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
Biodiversity
Each of the species has a specific habitat needs, occupying specific ecological niche
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
Bat
Swallow
Biodiversity trends
Over Geologic and Historical Timenew species appeared (speciation)species disappeared (extinction)
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
Biodiversity
Current Diversity: less than would have been present in the past, due to human impact
Past - elephants, tigers, rhinoceroses, gibbons, woodpeckers, etc..
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
Indian Tiger Black Rhino
African Elephant Asian or Indian Elephant
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
Loss of Biodiversity
Extinct worldwide about - 484 animal and 654 plant species
In danger of becoming extinct - 5400 animal & 26,000 plant species
example: Tropical rainforest - the richest and most diverse, now clearing at 1.8% p.a.
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
Biodiversity (in HK)
HK is amazingly species-richmore species than whole of Britain in all groups460 birds (as compared to 1200 in China)21 bats (only 30 in whole Europe)211 butterflies, 104 dragonflies, 73 reptiles, 53
mammals, 22 frogs, 1900 flowering plants23 amphibians (51 in Guangdong)
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
Biodiversity (in HK)
Some species are endemic - occur no where else, e.g. Romer’s tree frog
Some globally endangered species - Black-faced spoonbill (Mai Po Ramsar Site)
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
Country Parks - good coverage of vascular plants Marine Parks – good protection of aquatic
resources
SSSI - species rich, but not under active management, little protection
These promotes conservation (in situ and ex situ)
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
Biodiversity (in HK)
Threat to Biodiversity in Hong Kong
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
Urbanization & Infrastructure Building - particularly in NT
Abusive Fishing Practices - explosives and cyanide fishing
Hill fire
Reasons for Decline in Biodiversity
Physical Alteration of Habitatsconversion fragmentationsimplification
Population Factor - hunting Pollution - DDT, marineIntroduction of Exotic Species, etc.
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
Consequence of Losing Biodiversity
Life goes on in spite of extinctionDon’t bother, it has happened in geological past
Ecosystem Function - major ecosystem processes will be affected!!
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
Consequence of Losing Biodiversity
Example:Succession
"a continuous process of change in vegetation which can be separated into a series of phases"
non-seasonal, directional change
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
Biodiversity conservation protection
Destruction of biodiversity is directly protected by two types of law:
those which protect areas;
those which protect species;
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
The Laws of Protection:
- Country Parks Ordinance was formed in 1976
- To date more than 41000 ha have been designated as 23 Country Parks
SSSIs
The protection of Endangered Spp. Ordinance Wild Animals Protection Ordinance Marine Park Ordinance
Biodiversity conservation protection
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
On the international front, there are:
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Spp. of Wild Fauna and Flora
Ramsar Convention
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
Biodiversity conservation protection
Convention on biological diversity
Finally,
Plants, animals and insects survive not because they
are the biggest or strongest but because they can adapt
to the changing environment…….
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
Indeed, "The world exists for its own sake, not for ours. Swallow
that pill!" --Edward Abbey
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)