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CURRENT TOPICSMs. Burakiewicz
Conservation
Vocabulary
AquaticBiodiversityConservationCoral ReefEcosystemExtinctionEndangeredForest
Genetic variation (Gene)
HabitatInvasive speciesNatural selectionSpeciesTerrestrialWetland
What is Conservation Biology?
Science focused on how to protect and restore biodiversity
Three key questions How is the diversity of life distributed around
the planet? What threats does diversity face? What can people do to reduce or eliminate
these threats and, when possible, restore biological diversity to ecosystem health?
What is Biodiversity?All levels of organization
Includes the individual organisms AND their genetic material (conservation genetics – later)
Involves groups of similar organisms, populations, AND groups of species in communities or ecosystems
All forms of life Bacteria, fungus, protist, plant, and animal
All interactions Biodiversity is more than just the parts of a living
system, such as genes, individuals and species -- biodiversity also includes the ways the various parts interact with each other, including competition, predation, and symbiosis.
Genetic Diversity
Genetic information varies within a speciesIndividuals are uniqueVariation within a species allows the species
adaptability within an environment A loss of genetic variation makes a species
more prone to extinction
Species Diversity
A species is a group of organisms that have the ability to reproduce in nature Geographic or reproductive isolation
Different species exist in various ecosystems
The more species in an ecosystem, the more stable the ecosystem
Ecosystem Diversity
It is important to have stable terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems because of their various properties Wetlands help to purify water Forests help to cycle carbon dioxide
It is important to protect large scale processes that biodiversity depends on
What is a biodiversity crisis?
Rapid loss of biodiversity Current rate of extinction = 100-1,000x
faster than the natural rate >1,000 species have gone extinct in the
last 400 years Thousands of species are currently
considered endangered
Why is biodiversity valuable?
Benefits humans directly by providing Food Medicine (cancer meds) Industrial products (oils)
Benefits ecosystem stability Water purification Erosion control Climate control Decomposition and nutrient cycling
How is Biodiversity Measured?
Biodiversity is measured by taking a sample and estimating the total population in a given area Random sampling Average density of a species in a given
area Average number of species in a given area
↑ Diversity Index = ↑ Species and even distribution
Endangered vs Extinction
Endangered species are those that are “in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range” – Endangered Species Act 1973
Extinction is when a species no longer exists
The status of a species (unlisted, threatened, or endangered) can change
http://www.earthsendangered.com/
Protection of Species
Keystone species are those that an ecosystem depends on
If a keystone species is removed, many other species within that ecosystem will be effected Beavers make dams that provide pond
networks – provides habitats, improves water quality, prevents erosion
Hot Spots
Hot spots are areas where biodiversity is high and species are unique to the region
25 global biodiversity hotspots Rainforests – Amazon Basin, Caribbean
Islands Coral reefs
Major Threats
Habitat loss Development, clearing land, water
diversionHabitat degradation
Disturbing habitat – erosion, toxins (pollution)
Introduced speciesOver harvesting
Hunting, fishing
Conservation
DON’T Destroy habitat Pollute Over harvest Introduce species
Reverse damageYou can…
Adjust your behavior Educate yourself and others Support conservation efforts