Biodiversity: Biodiversity:

A B

Which do you like better?Which do you like better?

A B

Which do you like better?Which do you like better?

What do you think biodiversity What do you think biodiversity means?means?

Bio =

BioBiodiversitydiversity

What does “Bio” mean?

BioBiodiversitydiversity

Diversity = Variety

What does “Diversity” mean?

BiodiversityBiodiversity is… is… The variety of life on Earth The variety of life on Earth the product of millions of years of evolutionthe product of millions of years of evolution Scientists have identified about 2 million species. Tens of Scientists have identified about 2 million species. Tens of millions -- remain unknown millions -- remain unknown it allows systems to adapt to changing circumstances over it allows systems to adapt to changing circumstances over time. time. is used to gauge the health of biological systems.is used to gauge the health of biological systems.

Components of Biodiversity Components of Biodiversity

1. Genetic Diversity1. Genetic Diversity The sum of all the different forms of genes in a particular species.The sum of all the different forms of genes in a particular species. The species below are all dogs—but they're not the same The species below are all dogs—but they're not the same

because their genes are different. because their genes are different. This allows populations to adapt to environmental changesThis allows populations to adapt to environmental changes

ChihuahuaChihuahua BeagleBeagleRottweilersRottweilers

2. Diversity of Species2. Diversity of Species• Refers to the variety of species and relative abundance of species in a Refers to the variety of species and relative abundance of species in a

given area.given area.• For example, monkeys, dragonflies, and meadow beauties are all For example, monkeys, dragonflies, and meadow beauties are all

different species. different species.

Saki Monkey Golden Skimmer Meadow Beauty

Components of Biodiversity Components of Biodiversity

3. Ecosystem Diversity3. Ecosystem Diversity• refers to a diverse range of habitats, the various organisms that live in refers to a diverse range of habitats, the various organisms that live in the habitats and the relationships that connect them.the habitats and the relationships that connect them.Prairies, Ponds, and tropical rain forests are all ecosystems. Each one is Prairies, Ponds, and tropical rain forests are all ecosystems. Each one is different, with its own set of species living in it.different, with its own set of species living in it.

Prairie

Rain Forest

Pond

Components of Biodiversity Components of Biodiversity

Which has more biodiversity?Which has more biodiversity?

A B

Which has more biodiversity?Which has more biodiversity?

A B

Biodiversity is Valuable!

What do we get from biodiversity?What do we get from biodiversity?

OxygenOxygen FoodFoodClean WaterClean Water MedicineMedicine

BeautyBeauty IdeasIdeas

Benefits of BiodiversityBenefits of Biodiversity

More than 20,000 species have been used More than 20,000 species have been used for medicinal purposesfor medicinal purposes

41% of prescription drugs in the USA have 41% of prescription drugs in the USA have their active ingredients derived from living their active ingredients derived from living organisms (25% from plants, 13% from organisms (25% from plants, 13% from microorganisms, 3% from animals)microorganisms, 3% from animals)

Over 70% of promising anti-cancer drugs Over 70% of promising anti-cancer drugs come from plants in the rainforestcome from plants in the rainforest

Should we be concerned about Should we be concerned about biodiversity?biodiversity?

What we know:What we know: The Earth is losing species at an alarming rateThe Earth is losing species at an alarming rate

Some scientists estimate that as many as 3 species per Some scientists estimate that as many as 3 species per hour are going extinct and 20,000 extinctions occur each hour are going extinct and 20,000 extinctions occur each

year.year. when species of plants and animals go extinct, many when species of plants and animals go extinct, many

other species are affectedother species are affected. .

Threats to BiodiversityThreats to Biodiversity

Habitat destructionHabitat destruction

PollutionPollution

Species IntroductionsSpecies Introductions

Global Climate ChangeGlobal Climate Change

ExploitationExploitation

Species at RiskSpecies at Risk

Species do not have to be driven to extinction Species do not have to be driven to extinction for there to be ecological consequences.for there to be ecological consequences.

When a population’s size declines below a When a population’s size declines below a critical level, the species will no longer be able critical level, the species will no longer be able to fill its ecological niche. to fill its ecological niche.

The status of species is monitored by the Committee on the Status of The status of species is monitored by the Committee on the Status of

Endangered Wildlife in CanadaEndangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) (COSEWIC)

ClassificationClassification Number of Canadian Species Number of Canadian Species (2008)(2008) ExamplesExamples

ExtinctExtinct 1313Great aukGreat aukPassenger pigeonPassenger pigeonSea minkSea mink

ExtirpatedExtirpated 2323Paddlefish Paddlefish Atlantic walrusAtlantic walrus

EndangeredEndangered 238238Barn owlBarn owlSwift foxSwift foxNorthern cricket frogNorthern cricket frog

ThreatenedThreatened 146146Humpback whaleHumpback whaleWood bisonWood bisonKentucky coffee treeKentucky coffee tree

Special ConcernSpecial Concern 157157Polar bearPolar bearRed-headed woodpeckerRed-headed woodpeckerAtlantic codAtlantic cod

The following are threats to The following are threats to Biodiversity:Biodiversity:

1) Habitat Loss – 1) Habitat Loss – Farmland, human Farmland, human settlements and settlements and highways have replaced highways have replaced much of southern much of southern Ontario’s, temperate Ontario’s, temperate forest ecosystem. forest ecosystem.

2) Fragmentation2) Fragmentation the transformation of a relatively the transformation of a relatively

homogenous area into smaller homogenous area into smaller homogenous areas that homogenous areas that are interspersed with disturbed are interspersed with disturbed areas.  Disturbances are either areas.  Disturbances are either natural (e.g. fire, insects, wind) or natural (e.g. fire, insects, wind) or human-caused (e.g. logging). human-caused (e.g. logging). 

agriculture, urbanization and agriculture, urbanization and forestry disturb the greatest forestry disturb the greatest amount of natural area and are amount of natural area and are considered to be the main sources considered to be the main sources of human-caused fragmentation of human-caused fragmentation worldwide. worldwide.

3) Loss of Wetlands and Aquatic 3) Loss of Wetlands and Aquatic EcosystemsEcosystems

– – human activities along shorelines damage human activities along shorelines damage neighbouring aquatic ecosystems. neighbouring aquatic ecosystems.

AS CITIZENS OF A WEALTHY COUNTRY, AS CITIZENS OF A WEALTHY COUNTRY, OUR USE OF EARTH’S RESOURCES HAS OUR USE OF EARTH’S RESOURCES HAS

FAR-REACHING IMPACTS.FAR-REACHING IMPACTS.