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7 Biodiversity and Conservation CHAPTER Slide 2 Lesson 7.1 Our Planet of Life There are more known species of insects than any other form of life. Among known insect species, 4% are beetles. Slide 3 Objectives Differentiate the components of biodiversity Explain 2 ways in which biodiversity varies across groups of geography Describe the economic benefits of biodiversity. Differentiate the components of biodiversity Explain 2 ways in which biodiversity varies across groups of geography Describe the economic benefits of biodiversity. Slide 4 Biodiversity Describes the variety of life across all levels of ecological organization Includes three types: Genetic diversity: Differences in DNA among individuals Species diversity: Variety of species in a given area Ecosystem diversity: Variety of habitats, ecosystems, communities Describes the variety of life across all levels of ecological organization Includes three types: Genetic diversity: Differences in DNA among individuals Species diversity: Variety of species in a given area Ecosystem diversity: Variety of habitats, ecosystems, communities Lesson 7.1 Our Planet of Life Genetic DiversitySpecies Diversity Ecosystem Diversity Slide 5 Biodiversity Species Diversity Speciation generates new species, increasing species diversity Extinction decreases species diversity Genetic Diversity Greater genetic diversity = greater chance of survival Below species level (microscopic) Ecosystem Diversity Above species level (macroscopic) Species Diversity Speciation generates new species, increasing species diversity Extinction decreases species diversity Genetic Diversity Greater genetic diversity = greater chance of survival Below species level (microscopic) Ecosystem Diversity Above species level (macroscopic) Slide 6 Species Classification Taxonomists classify species based on physical appearance and genetic makeup. Species are placed into a hierarchy of taxonomic groups: Genus Family Order Phylum Kingdom Domain Taxonomic groups reflect evolutionary relationships among species. Below the species level, organisms may fall into subspeciespopulations with genetically based characteristics that differ area to area. Lesson 7.1 Our Planet of Life Slide 7 Slide 8 Biodiversity Distribution There are likely between 5 and 30 million species on Earth. Species can be difficult to find and identify. Some areas of Earth are relatively unexplored. Some species are easy to overlook. Some species are difficult to distinguish from on another. There are likely between 5 and 30 million species on Earth. Species can be difficult to find and identify. Some areas of Earth are relatively unexplored. Some species are easy to overlook. Some species are difficult to distinguish from on another. Lesson 7.1 Our Planet of Life Orangutan in an Indonesian rain forest Did You Know? In general, biodiversity increases toward the equator. Slide 9 Biodiversity Distribution Latitudinal gradient Locations closer to the equator have greater species richness Structurally diverse habitats have greater species richness The more types of habitats within a geographic area the more communities of organisms Latitudinal gradient Locations closer to the equator have greater species richness Structurally diverse habitats have greater species richness The more types of habitats within a geographic area the more communities of organisms Slide 10 Both pictures below are of the tundra. Which one would have a greater species diversity? Why? Slide 11 Ecosystem Services Intact environments provide ecosystem services, such as water purification and pest control. High biodiversity increases stability of communities and ecosystems, enabling them to perform services. Stable ecosystems are resistant and resilient. Resistant: Resist environmental change without losing function Resilient: Affected by change, but bounce back and regain function Intact environments provide ecosystem services, such as water purification and pest control. High biodiversity increases stability of communities and ecosystems, enabling them to perform services. Stable ecosystems are resistant and resilient. Resistant: Resist environmental change without losing function Resilient: Affected by change, but bounce back and regain function Lesson 7.1 Our Planet of Life Wetlands in Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, Loxahatchee, Florida Slide 12 Biodiversity and Ecosystem Function The Asian carp epidemic How did the Asian carp affect the biodiversity of the ecosystem? What if instead of a new species being introduced into an ecosystem, a species became extinct? Why are people fighting to save the whales? The Asian carp epidemic How did the Asian carp affect the biodiversity of the ecosystem? What if instead of a new species being introduced into an ecosystem, a species became extinct? Why are people fighting to save the whales? Slide 13 Other 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. The yew tree, an original source of Taxol, a cancer-fighting drug Slide 14 Why is it important to protect biodiversity? Slide 15 Lesson 7.2 Extinction and Biodiversity Loss Biodiversity losses caused by humans are common in our history. Hunting and forest cutting drove the passenger pigeononce North Americas most numerous birdinto extinction. Slide 16 Objectives Describe how biodiversity is monitored and explain current biodiversity trends. List the major causes of biodiversity loss. Describe how biodiversity is monitored and explain current biodiversity trends. List the major causes of biodiversity loss. Slide 17 Natural Biodiversity Loss Background extinctions: Naturally occurring extinctions, occurring one species at a time Mass extinctions: Events when extinction rates far exceed the normal background rate There have been five mass extinctions in Earths history. Each time, more than 1/5 of all families and 1/2 of all species have gone extinct. Background extinctions: Naturally occurring extinctions, occurring one species at a time Mass extinctions: Events when extinction rates far exceed the normal background rate There have been five mass extinctions in Earths history. Each time, more than 1/5 of all families and 1/2 of all species have gone extinct. Lesson 7.2 Extinction and Biodiversity Loss Dinosaur extinctions were part of a mass extinction. Slide 18 Biodiversity at Risk The current extinction rate is 100 to 1000 times greater than the natural background rate. In 2009, 1321 species in the U.S. were classified as endangered or threatened. Endangered: At serious risk of extinction Threatened: Likely to become endangered soon through all or part of its range Living Planet Index: Summarizes global population trends for certain terrestrial, freshwater, and marine species The current extinction rate is 100 to 1000 times greater than the natural background rate. In 2009, 1321 species in the U.S. were classified as endangered or threatened. Endangered: At serious risk of extinction Threatened: Likely to become endangered soon through all or part of its range Living Planet Index: Summarizes global population trends for certain terrestrial, freshwater, and marine species Lesson 7.2 Extinction and Biodiversity Loss Giant panda, an endangered species Did You Know? The Living Planet Index fell nearly 30% between 1970 and 2005. Slide 19 Lesson 7.2 Extinction and Biodiversity Loss Habitat change and loss Invasive species Pollution Overharvesting Climate Habitat change and loss Invasive species Pollution Overharvesting Climate Siberian tiger Causes of Biodiversity Loss Slide 20 Habitat 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. Slide 21 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. Slide 22 Climate 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 1.52.5 C global temperature increase could put 2030% of plant and animal species at increased risk of extinction. Slide 23 Name That Cause! There are more than 1.5 million crashes involving deer per year Native fish have become extinct in the Illinois River since the Asian carp has been introduced 3 of 5 species of sea turtles in the Gulf of Mexico are endangered due to oil spills In 1999, a warming event in the northwest Mediterranean caused massive mortality rates of 16 species that lived along the shores There are more than 1.5 million crashes involving deer per year Native fish have become extinct in the Illinois River since the Asian carp has been introduced 3 of 5 species of sea turtles in the Gulf of Mexico are endangered due to oil spills In 1999, a warming event in the northwest Mediterranean caused massive mortality rates of 16 species that lived along the shores Slide 24 Lesson 7.3 Protecting Biodiversity Just 2.3% of the planets land surface is home to 50% of the worlds plant species and 42% of its vertebrate animal species. Slide 25 Objectives Explain legal action nations can take to protect biodiversity. Explain the goal of species survival plans. Describe the three strategies for managing who ecosystems and habitats. Explain legal action nations can take to protect biodiversity. Explain the goal of species survival plans. Describe the three strategies for managing who ecosystems and habitats. Slide 26 The Endangered Species Act Lesson 7.3 Protecting Biodiversity U.S. law that protects biodiversity, passed in 1973 Has three major parts: Forbids governments and citizens from harming listed species and habitats Forbids trade in products made from listed species Requires U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to maintain official list of endangered and threatened species, and to develop recovery plan for each listed species Did You Know? In part because of the Endangered Species Act, 40% of populations that were once declining in the U.S. are now stable. Slide 27 Local ESA Lake Wallenpaupack closes island to protect mating bald eagles. Lake Wallenpaupack closes island to protect mating bald eagles. Benefits Costs Lake Wallenpaupack closes island to protect mating bald eagles. Lake Wallenpaupack closes island to protect mating bald eagles. Benefits Costs Slide 28 International Cooperation Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES, 1975): Bans international trade in body parts of endangered species. Convention on Biological Diversity (1992): International treaty to conserve biodiversity and ensure its responsible use and distribution Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES, 1975): Bans international trade in body parts of endangered species. Convention on Biological Diversity (1992): International treaty to conserve biodiversity and ensure its responsible use and distribution Lesson 7.3 Protecting Biodiversity Ivory products, made from elephant tusks Slide 29 Single-Species Approaches to Conservation Captive breeding programs: Raising and breeding organisms in controlled conditions, such as zoos or aquariums Species Survival Plan: Program to save individual species, includes captive breeding, education, and research Cloning: Inserting DNA from an endangered species into a cultured egg cell; process involves implanting eggs into mothers of closely related species Captive breeding programs: Raising and breeding organisms in controlled conditions, such as zoos or aquariums Species Survival Plan: Program to save individual species, includes captive breeding, education, and research Cloning: Inserting DNA from an endangered species into a cultured egg cell; process involves implanting eggs into mothers of closely related species Lesson 7.3 Protecting Biodiversity Did You Know? The Species Survival Plan for the golden lion tamarin started with only 91 individuals. As of 2007, there were nearly 500 tamarins in zoos, and 150 reintroduced into the wild. Majete Wildlife Reserve, Malawi Slide 30 Biodiversity 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 Earths 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 Earths plant species and 42% of terrestrial vertebrate species. Lesson 7.3 Protecting Biodiversity Northern Pintail ducks, Honshu, Japan Japan is one of the worlds biodiversity hotspots. Slide 31 Economic Approaches to Conservation Many conservation efforts today attempt to balance protection of land and wildlife with the economic interests of local people: Debt-for-nature swap: Conservation organizations raise money to pay off a nations debt in return for improved conservation measures. Conservation concession: Conservation organizations buy the rights to conserve resources, instead of harvesting them. Many conservation efforts today attempt to balance protection of land and wildlife with the economic interests of local people: Debt-for-nature swap: Conservation organizations raise money to pay off a nations debt in return for improved conservation measures. Conservation concession: Conservation organizations buy the rights to conserve resources, instead of harvesting them. Lesson 7.3 Protecting Biodiversity Slide 32 Fracing Fracing is a controversial process by which natural gas is mined. It is becoming more and more popular in certain parts of the United States and is making many people rich in the process. Suppose the U.S. decided they wanted to take a stance against fracing. To do this, they decide to pay landowners to NOT let companies drill on their land. What economic approach to conservation is this an example of? Fracing is a controversial process by which natural gas is mined. It is becoming more and more popular in certain parts of the United States and is making many people rich in the process. Suppose the U.S. decided they wanted to take a stance against fracing. To do this, they decide to pay landowners to NOT let companies drill on their land. What economic approach to conservation is this an example of? Slide 33 Wildlife Corridors Connect habitat fragments enabling once-isolated populations to interbreed Interbreeding increases genetic diversity. Conservation biologists hope that a planned 250-km long corridor in Australia will enable the endangered southern cassowary to recover from population declines. Connect habitat fragments enabling once-isolated populations to interbreed Interbreeding increases genetic diversity. Conservation biologists hope that a planned 250-km long corridor in Australia will enable the endangered southern cassowary to recover from population declines. Lesson 7.3 Protecting Biodiversity