unit 8-environmental science chapter 6.3-biodiversity
TRANSCRIPT
Unit 8-Environmental Science Chapter 6.3-Biodiversity
What is Biodiversity?
- The total variation in all organisms in the biosphere
- Three levels:1) Ecosystem Diversity: variation in habitat
and ecological processes2) Species Diversity: the number of different
species in the biosphere3) Genetic Diversity: different genetic
information carried by a particular species
Biodiversity and Medicine
Biodiversity and Agriculture
Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services
Threats to Biodiversity
- When humans reduce genetic diversity we reduce species diversity
- When humans reduce environmental diversity we reduce species diversity
- We do this by altering habitats, hunting, introducing invasive species, polluting food webs, and contributing to climate change
Threats to Biodiversity
- Altered Habitats- Complete destruction of habitat- Habitat fragmentation: splitting ecosystems
into pieces- Makes species more vulnerable
- Hunting- Many species killed for food, money,
and medicine
Threats to Biodiversity
- Introduced (Invasive) Species
- Pollution
- Climate Change
Conserving Biodiversity
- Protecting individual species- Species survival plans (SSPs)
- Preserving habitats and ecosystems- National parks- Marine sanctuaries- Ecological hotspots: a place where significant
numbers of species and habitats are in danger
- Considering local human interests- Tax credits- Tourism- Carbon credits