Biodiversity

Which do you like better?

A B

Which do you like better?

A B

Which do you like better?

A B

A B

Which do you like better?

A B

Which do you like better?

A B

Which do you like better?

What do you think

biodiversity means?

Bio =

Biodiversity

What does “Bio” mean?

Biodiversity

Diversity = Variety

What does “Diversity” mean?

Biodiversity is the variety of life on Earth and the essential interdependence of all living things

• Scientists have identified more than 2 million species. Tens of millions -- remain unknown

• The tremendous variety of life on Earth is made possible by complex interactions among all living things including microscopic species like algae and mites.

Why is biodiversity important?

• Biodiversity boosts ecosystem productivity where each species, no matter how small, all have an important role to play

• Greater species diversity ensures natural sustainability for all life forms

• Healthy ecosystems can better withstand and recover from a variety of disasters and environmental change.

Information obtained from: http://www.globalissues.org/article/170/why-is-biodiversity-important-who-cares#WhyisBiodiversityImportant

Why is biodiversity important?

• To prevent the well known and well documented problems of genetic defects caused by in-breeding, species need a variety of genes to ensure successful survival of fittest. Without this, the chances of extinction increases.1

• The greater the diversity that exists within a family or species of an organism, the more likely it is to survive environmental change. However, ecosystems are being destroyed, animals and plants becoming extinct, and biodiversity is being lost due to increased human activity.2

1 Information obtained from: http://www.globalissues.org/article/170/why-is-biodiversity-important-who-cares#WhyisBiodiversityImportant

2 Information obtained from: http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/exchange/node/1692

Why is biodiversity important?• Although environments would be shifting and evolving regardless of human influence, it is necessary to understand that humans are causing the rate of change to become particularly dangerous.

• Environmental conditions are changing so quickly that individual species as well as entire ecosystems are struggling, and often failing, to adapt.

• For these reasons, it is very important that we protect biodiversity and the natural environment.

Information on this slide was adapted from: http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/exchange/node/1692

Examples of Biodiversity

Chihuahua

Beagle

Rottweilers

Examples of Biodiversity

Image from: http://healingfeast.com/images/Biodiversity.jpg

Which is more diverse?

A B

Which is more diverse?

A B

A B

Which is more diverse?

Which has more biodiversity?

A B

Which has more biodiversity?

A B

Should we be concerned about biodiversity?

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

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

extinctions occur each year. When species of plants and animals go extinct,

many other species are affected (remember how energy is transferred in food chains and food webs).

Some Threats to biodiversity

Habitat destruction

Pollution

Species Introductions

Global Climate Change

Exploitation

An adaptation of this PowerPoint can be retrieved online from: www.spice.centers.ufl.edu