7 Biodiversity and ConservationBiodiversity and ConservationC

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Brainstorm!Brainstorm!

Estimate how many different types of species are on earth, including

plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms.

Estimate how many different types of species are on earth, including

plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms.

Scientists have identified 1.7 to 2 million species to

date.

HOWEVER, scientists estimate the total number of species on earth is

between 3 million to 100 million!!!

Lesson 7.1 Our Planet of LifeLesson 7.1 Our Planet of Life

There are more known species of insects than any other form of life. Among known insect species, 40% are beetles.

There are more known species of insects than any other form of life. Among known insect species, 40% are beetles.

BiodiversityBiodiversity• Describes the variety of life across all levels of ecological

organization• Includes three types:

1. Ecosystem diversity2. Species diversity3. Genetic diversity

• Describes the variety of life across all levels of ecological organization• Includes three types:

1. Ecosystem diversity2. Species diversity3. Genetic diversity

Lesson 7.1 Our Planet of Life

Genetic Diversity Species Diversity Ecosystem Diversity

Ecosystem DiversityEcosystem Diversity

• The number and variety of ecosystems in a given area • The number and variety of ecosystems in a given area

Lesson 7.1 Our Planet of Life

Brainstorm: List the ecosystems found in Florida. Does Florida have a high Ecosystem Diversity?

Brainstorm: List the ecosystems found in Florida. Does Florida have a high Ecosystem Diversity?

Species DiversitySpecies Diversity

• The number or variety of species in a given area Speciation increases biodiversity!Extinction decreases biodiversity!

• The number or variety of species in a given area Speciation increases biodiversity!Extinction decreases biodiversity!

Lesson 7.1 Our Planet of Life

Genetic DiversityGenetic Diversity

• The differences in DNA among individuals within a species

• The more genetic diversity in a population, the better the chance for survival because it provides the raw materials for adaptation

• The differences in DNA among individuals within a species

• The more genetic diversity in a population, the better the chance for survival because it provides the raw materials for adaptation

Lesson 7.1 Our Planet of Life

Lab: How genetically diverse is 1C-310??

Lab: How genetically diverse is 1C-310??

Lesson 7.1 Our Planet of Life

1. Work with your table.2. To find percentage, take the number in the

first column (Group Results) and divide it by the second column (Group Total).EXAMPLE: 2 people have curly hair / 4 people in

the group = 50%

1. Work with your table.2. To find percentage, take the number in the

first column (Group Results) and divide it by the second column (Group Total).EXAMPLE: 2 people have curly hair / 4 people in

the group = 50%

Other Benefits of BiodiversityOther Benefits of Biodiversity

Lesson 7.1 Our Planet of Life

• Agriculture: Wild strains are cross-bred with related crops to transfer beneficial traits.

• Medicine: Organisms contain compounds that are useful for treating disease.

• Ecotourism: Environmentally responsible tourism is a source of income for many nations.

Did You Know? Of the 150 most prescribed drugs in the United States, 118 originated in nature.

Did You Know? Of the 150 most prescribed drugs in the United States, 118 originated in nature.

The yew tree, an original source of Taxol, a cancer-fighting drug

Lesson 7.2 Extinction and Biodiversity Loss

• Habitat change and loss• Invasive species• Pollution• Overharvesting

• Habitat change and loss• Invasive species• Pollution• Overharvesting

Siberian tiger

Causes of Biodiversity LossCauses of Biodiversity Loss

Habitat Change and LossHabitat Change and Loss

• Greatest cause of biodiversity loss

• Organisms, adapted to their habitat, decline in population when the habitat changes.

• Habitat fragmentation: Patches of suitable habitat surrounded by unsuitable habitat

• In general, larger habitat fragments can support greater biodiversity than smaller fragments.

• Greatest cause of biodiversity loss

• Organisms, adapted to their habitat, decline in population when the habitat changes.

• Habitat fragmentation: Patches of suitable habitat surrounded by unsuitable habitat

• In general, larger habitat fragments can support greater biodiversity than smaller fragments.

Lesson 7.2 Extinction and Biodiversity Loss

Did You Know? Habitat change or destruction is the primary cause of population decline in more than 80% of threatened birds and mammals.

Did You Know? Habitat change or destruction is the primary cause of population decline in more than 80% of threatened birds and mammals.

Invasive Species, Pollution, and Overharvesting

Invasive Species, Pollution, and Overharvesting

Lesson 7.2 Extinction and Biodiversity Loss

• Invasive species can out-compete and displace native species.

• Harmful chemicals and materials that make their way into habitats can poison people and wildlife.

• Occasionally, species can be driven toward extinction by hunting or overharvesting by humans. Examples include Siberian tigers and passenger pigeons.

Once common in North America, the passenger pigeon is now extinct.

Climate ChangeClimate Change

• Increasingly becoming a factor in biodiversity loss• Unlike the other factors, climate change will have a potentially

global effect on biodiversity.

• Increasingly becoming a factor in biodiversity loss• Unlike the other factors, climate change will have a potentially

global effect on biodiversity.

Lesson 7.2 Extinction and Biodiversity Loss

Did You Know? Scientists predict that a 1.5–2.5C global temperature increase could put 20–30% of plant and animal species at increased risk of extinction.

Did You Know? Scientists predict that a 1.5–2.5C global temperature increase could put 20–30% of plant and animal species at increased risk of extinction.

Ways to Protect Biodiversity

Ways to Protect Biodiversity

Single Species Approach Ecosystem Approach

Ways to Protect Biodiversity

Single Species Approach Ecosystem Approach

Captive Breeding Programs

Species Survival Plan

Cloning

Ways to Protect Biodiversity

Single Species Approach Ecosystem Approach

Captive Breeding Programs

Species Survival Plan

CloningBiodiversity

Hotspots

Economic Approaches

Wildlife Corridors

Lesson 7.3 Protecting BiodiversityLesson 7.3 Protecting Biodiversity

Just 2.3% of the planet’s land surface is home to 50% of the world’s plant species and 42% of its vertebrate animal species.

Just 2.3% of the planet’s land surface is home to 50% of the world’s plant species and 42% of its vertebrate animal species.

Biodiversity HotspotsBiodiversity Hotspots• The “hotspot approach” focuses

attention on areas where the greatest number of species can be protected with the least effort.

•Hotspots have:

• At least 1500 plant species found nowhere else in the world

• Already lost 70% of their habitat as a result of human activity

• The 34 biodiversity hotspots are home to 50% of Earth’s plant species and 42% of terrestrial vertebrate species.

• The “hotspot approach” focuses attention on areas where the greatest number of species can be protected with the least effort.

•Hotspots have:

• At least 1500 plant species found nowhere else in the world

• Already lost 70% of their habitat as a result of human activity

• The 34 biodiversity hotspots are home to 50% of Earth’s plant species and 42% of terrestrial vertebrate species.

Lesson 7.3 Protecting Biodiversity

Northern Pintail ducks, Honshu, Japan

Japan is one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots.

Biodiversity HotspotsBiodiversity Hotspots

Lesson 7.3 Protecting Biodiversity

Biodiversity Hotspots GlogsterBiodiversity Hotspots Glogster

Lesson 7.3 Protecting Biodiversity

 Go to www.biodiversityhotspots.org  Make a glogster and include the following information:

1. Location of the hotspot and type of ecosystems found there.2. Describe at least one endemic plant species and one animal

species found there3. Describe the socio-economic conditions (pre-industrial,

transitional, industrial, post-industrial)4. Human induced and/or natural reasons why species biodiversity is

decreasing in that region5. What is being done to protect this hotspot6. Any interesting information you found about the area (AKA your

choice!)7. LOTS of pictures and color!!

 Go to www.biodiversityhotspots.org  Make a glogster and include the following information:

1. Location of the hotspot and type of ecosystems found there.2. Describe at least one endemic plant species and one animal

species found there3. Describe the socio-economic conditions (pre-industrial,

transitional, industrial, post-industrial)4. Human induced and/or natural reasons why species biodiversity is

decreasing in that region5. What is being done to protect this hotspot6. Any interesting information you found about the area (AKA your

choice!)7. LOTS of pictures and color!!