Biodiversity: Biodiversity:

Who cares?Who cares?

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 the is the variety of lifevariety of life on on Earth and the Earth and the essential essential

interdependence of all living thingsinterdependence 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.

There are 3 components of There are 3 components of biodiversity biodiversity

1.1. Diversity of genesDiversity of genesChihuahuas, beagles, and rottweilers are all dogs—but Chihuahuas, beagles, and rottweilers are all dogs—but

they're not the same because their genes are different.they're not the same because their genes are different.

ChihuahuaChihuahua BeagleBeagle

RottweilersRottweilers

Diversity of speciesDiversity of speciesFor example, monkeys, dragonflies, and For example, monkeys, dragonflies, and meadow beauties are all different species. meadow beauties are all different species.

Saki Monkey Golden Skimmer Meadow Beauty

There are 3 components of There are 3 components of biodiversity biodiversity

Variety of ecosystemsVariety of ecosystemsPrairies, Ponds, and tropical rain forests are all Prairies, Ponds, and tropical rain forests are all ecosystems. Each one is different, with its own set of ecosystems. Each one is different, with its own set of species living in it.species living in it.

Paines Prairie

Hoh Rain Forest

Florida Sand hill Pond

There are 3 components of There are 3 components of biodiversity biodiversity

Which has more biodiversity?Which has more biodiversity?

A B

Which has more biodiversity?Which has more biodiversity?

A B

Biodiversity has Intrinsic Value

Intrinsic Value = Something that has value in and of itself

Why Biodiversity is ImportantWhy Biodiversity is Important

Protects the AtmosphereProtects the Atmosphere Greenhouse effect and amounts of O2 and CO2 in Greenhouse effect and amounts of O2 and CO2 in

the atmosphere are regulated by the diversity of the atmosphere are regulated by the diversity of plant life.plant life.

Agricultural ProductionAgricultural Production Need the many different species of insects and Need the many different species of insects and

birds to pollinate crops.birds to pollinate crops.

Why Biodiversity is ImportantWhy Biodiversity is Important

Stable EcosystemsStable Ecosystems Life processes on earth are intricately connected; Life processes on earth are intricately connected;

damage to one could mean damage to another. damage to one could mean damage to another. Some species are codependent on each other.Some species are codependent on each other.

Ex. 20 different species of fig trees in Panama have a Ex. 20 different species of fig trees in Panama have a different wasp to pollinate each one.different wasp to pollinate each one.

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

OxygenOxygen

FoodFood

Clean WaterClean Water

MedicineMedicine

AestheticsAesthetics

IdeasIdeas

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

each year.each 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. .

How Biodiversity is LostHow Biodiversity is Lost

Destruction of EcosystemsDestruction of Ecosystems DeforestationDeforestation

-loss in living space and culture for certain -loss in living space and culture for certain aboriginal groupsaboriginal groups

-increase global warming-increase global warming

-flooding, landslides, soil erosion, wildfires-flooding, landslides, soil erosion, wildfires DesertificationDesertification

over-cultivation, overgrazing, deforestation, and over-cultivation, overgrazing, deforestation, and inappropriate irrigation techniquesinappropriate irrigation techniques

How Biodiversity is LostHow Biodiversity is Lost

Introduction of New SpeciesIntroduction of New Species Ex. 1960’s elm trees rapidly died in North Ex. 1960’s elm trees rapidly died in North

America as a result of a fungus disease that was America as a result of a fungus disease that was brought here by beetles on a load of European brought here by beetles on a load of European lumber.lumber.

Other Threats to BiodiversityOther Threats to Biodiversity

Habitat destructionHabitat destruction

PollutionPollution

Species IntroductionsSpecies Introductions

Global Climate ChangeGlobal Climate Change

ExploitationExploitation