1Biodiversity and Roles of SpeciesBiodiversity and Roles of Species

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BiodiversityBiodiversity

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BiodiversityBiodiversity

• number of speciesnumber of species

• genetic diversity of speciesgenetic diversity of species

• diversity of ecosystemsdiversity of ecosystems

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Within every ecosystem, every species has its role (its niche)

• Niche

• Specialists and Generalists

• Niche Overlap

• Native Species vs. Exotic Species

• Indicator / Keystone Species

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Species’ RolesSpecies’ Roles• Niche: a species’ total way of life and / or “role” in the ecosystem including all physical, chemical, and biological conditions a species needs to live and reproduce in an ecosystem

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Specialists and GeneralistsSpecialists and Generalists(plants and animals)(plants and animals)

Specialist:Specialist: Can only survive in a limited number of biomes, very limited diet

Can survive in a wide variety of biomes, usually omnivorous

Generalist:Generalist:

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Niche Overlap• Two (or more) species that require similar

resources (i.e. two species that have to compete for the same thing)– Fundamental niche (“perfect world”)– Realized niche (“real world”)

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• So what if a species is “exotic!” So what if a species is “exotic!” What’s the big deal? What’s the big deal?

Native Species vs. Exotic Species

• No natural enemies No natural enemies (always the consumer (always the consumer and never consumed)and never consumed)• Superior competition Superior competition skills and may remove skills and may remove the native speciesthe native species• Where in the food Where in the food chain / web do they fit chain / web do they fit if they are from if they are from somewhere else?somewhere else?

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Exotic SpeciesExotic SpeciesItemItem SourceSource Problem Problem

LocationLocationKudzu Kudzu JapanJapan SE U.S.SE U.S.Zebra Mussels Zebra Mussels NE Europe / RussiaNE Europe / Russia Great LakesGreat LakesBrown Tree Snake Brown Tree Snake AsiaAsia HawaiiHawaiiAsian Lady BeetleAsian Lady Beetle AsiaAsia Midwest Midwest Asian CarpAsian Carp ChinaChina All fresh watersAll fresh watersAnd so many more…And so many more…

Asian Carp:Asian Carp:Where are Where are they now?they now?

…and …and where will where will they be in they be in

the future?the future?

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http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/keeping-asian-carp-out-of-the-great-lakes-will-cost-billions-and-take-decades/

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Indicator / Keystone SpeciesIndicator / Keystone Species• Species that have a much greater impact than

food alone– Control population of other species– Create food at times when food is scarce– Impact would be greater than others if disappeared

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Gray Wolf Gray Wolf Population in Population in

WisconsinWisconsin

Wolf Depredations

in WI(2007-09)

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Q: Has the Wolf Recovery Act of 1989 in Wisconsin lessened deer overpopulation?

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Wolf Recovery Plan Instituted in Wisconsin

(1989)

Wolf Target Population Reached (1994)

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Impact of Wolf Recovery Plan of 1989Impact of Wolf Recovery Plan of 1989

• Since 1992 the deer population in WI hasSince 1992 the deer population in WI has increasedincreased by 300,000 deer…by 300,000 deer…

* Therefore, wolves have not helped control the * Therefore, wolves have not helped control the deer population of Wisconsindeer population of Wisconsin

• Since 1994 the deer population in WI hasSince 1994 the deer population in WI has stayed the samestayed the same……* Therefore, wolves have been doing their job.* Therefore, wolves have been doing their job.

• Since 1995 Since 1995 the deer population in WI hasthe deer population in WI has decreaseddecreased by 300,000…by 300,000…

* Therefore, wolves have had killed too many of * Therefore, wolves have had killed too many of Wisconsin’s deer population.Wisconsin’s deer population.

Interpretation!Interpretation!• ““Data” is just a Data” is just a

bunch of numbers!bunch of numbers!• In order to In order to

effectively use data, effectively use data, you you MUSTMUST::

• AnalyzeAnalyze• InterpretInterpret• Place into the right Place into the right

contextcontext

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Case Study:Case Study:Galapagos IslandsGalapagos Islands

(Ecuador)(Ecuador)

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Most Unique Ecosystemanywhere in the world!anywhere in the world!

• The archipelago is home to around The archipelago is home to around

5,000 5,000 different species, almost half of different species, almost half of which are found which are found nowhere else on Earth.on Earth.

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Galapagos IslandsGalapagos Islands• Charles Darwin: Charles Darwin: “Origin of “Origin of

Species”Species”• Many of his ideas came from Many of his ideas came from

his trip to the Galapagos his trip to the Galapagos (many unique species)(many unique species)

• No natural enemies!No natural enemies!• Humans can “pet” the wild Humans can “pet” the wild

animals (tortoises, dolphins, animals (tortoises, dolphins, seals, etc.)seals, etc.)

• Darwin Research Station Darwin Research Station (1959) for conservation of the (1959) for conservation of the Galapagos. Galapagos.

However…However…

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History of the GalapagosHistory of the Galapagos• 1535: Arrival of the Spanish…and the

introduction of HUNDREDS of exotic species!!– goats, cats, dogs, fruits, vegetables, diseases– Perhaps the most destructive of all: – 1790: Arrival of the English—whaling industry

• 1833: First permanent settlement

Humans.Humans.

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Galapagos:Galapagos:the hangover begins…the hangover begins…

• Islands isolated, undisturbed until last few Islands isolated, undisturbed until last few hundred yearshundred years

• Due to isolation and abundant resources Due to isolation and abundant resources (tropics), animals coexisted with relatively (tropics), animals coexisted with relatively little competition.little competition.

• As a result, they developed few tools to As a result, they developed few tools to compete (i.e. “natural” defenses)…compete (i.e. “natural” defenses)…

• Therefore, native species are no match for Therefore, native species are no match for exotic animals and diseases. Even goats.exotic animals and diseases. Even goats.

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Introduction of Invasive Species: Introduction of Invasive Species: GalapagosGalapagos

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Back to the most exotic of all…Back to the most exotic of all…• The Galapagos population has

grown 13x13x in 34 years!– 1972: 3,488 2006: 40,000+

• Animal life threatened: – Tourism– Overfishing– Pollution– “Development”

• Increased population equals: – greater risk of introduction /

spread of alien species / diseases– higher pressure on scarce

resources. • Ecuadorian law now prohibits

moving to the Galapagos unless you:– Were born on the islands– Have family on the islands– Yet thousands of violators

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Key: SustainabilityKey: Sustainability

But how?

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SustainabilitySustainability• To have the ability to exploit resources without To have the ability to exploit resources without

depleting them or creating significant adverse depleting them or creating significant adverse effectseffects

• How do you measure sustainability? How do you measure sustainability?

• Who decides?Who decides?

• What comes first: Environment, Animals or What comes first: Environment, Animals or Humans?Humans?– Environmental EthicsEnvironmental Ethics: : Applying “moral” principles Applying “moral” principles

to environment just as one would do with humans.to environment just as one would do with humans.– But which humans are you considering?But which humans are you considering?

http://blogs.nationalgeographic.com/blogs/news/chiefeditor/2010/07/galapagos-no-longer-world-heri.html

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The The Galapagos Galapagos Islands?Islands?

Cultural Sustainability? Cultural Sustainability?

The Sea Turtle vs. Pope FrancisThe Sea Turtle vs. Pope Francis

Somewhat related…Somewhat related…• AllAll sea turtlessea turtles (worldwide) (worldwide) are critically threatened are critically threatened

or endangered…but particularly in Latin America.or endangered…but particularly in Latin America.

• Latinos 90+% Catholic: LentLatinos 90+% Catholic: Lent• Reptiles not considered “meat”Reptiles not considered “meat”• Due to Due to increased human populationincreased human population, not , not

sustainable tradition anymoresustainable tradition anymore• Environmentalists asked old Pope to put turtles Environmentalists asked old Pope to put turtles

on the “not acceptable list”on the “not acceptable list”• No word yet from new PopeNo word yet from new Pope

Sustainability.Sustainability. 36