Biodiversity in a Changing World

1
Biodiversity in a Changing World
Maria Grace, Education Outreach Manager
2
What is Biodiversity?
The variety of life at all its levels, from genes
to species to natural communities and the
ecological and evolutionary processes that
sustain it.
3
Biodiversity

• The variety of life on earth
• Includes both common rare
• Three levels of biodiversity
• Genetic
• Species
• Ecosystem

Biodiversity surrounds us
4
Species DiversityAn Extraordinary Number!
Approximately 1.75 million species described Most
estimates of the total number of species range
between 13-20 million
Scientific American. 2001. Vol. 285. Issue 5, p.
44
5
New Jerseys Biodiversity
6
A biological crossroads
Northerners at their limit

• Northern goshawk
• Blue spotted salamander

Southerners at their limit

• Allegheny woodrat
• Pine Barrens treefrog
• Eastern tiger salamander
• Southern grey treefrog
• Arogos skipper

7
300 plus BIRDS
Breed Migrate Live
Raptors Passerines Shorebirds Beach-nesters
8
Reptiles and Amphibians
Over 70 Species
9
Mammals
Over 90 Species
Over 70 Species
10
Invertebrates
11
A diversity of habitat
The Pinelands
The Highlands
Our Forests
Our Beaches
12
ENDANGERED
ALSO endangered in NJ Henslows Sparrow Sedge
Wren Red-shouldered Hawk Bog Turtle Bobcat Mitchel
ls Satyr Appalachian Grizzled Skipper
13
THREATENED
ALSO threatened in NJ Black Rail Pine Barrens
treefrog Red Knot Corn Snake Long-tailed
salamander Red-headed woodpecker
14
How does this happen?
How do species become threatened and endangered?
15
...habitat loss...
16
Mainly...land use...
17
...sprawling development...
18
...and human disturbances
19
Other Threats to Biodiversity

• Poaching Illegal Collecting
• Global Warming Climate Change
• Pollution
• Light pollution
• Noise Pollution

20
So...What do WE do?

• Research
• Recovery plans
• Restoration efforts
• Species management

21
RESEARCHCase Study Red Knot
22
RESEARCHCase Study Red Knot
23
Case Study Red Knot
24
Case Study Red Knot
25
HABITAT RESTORATIONCase Study bog turtle
26
Case Study bog turtle
27
Case Study bog turtle
28
The value of biodiversity

• Direct Use
• Food
• Fiber
• Fuel
• Medicine
• Ecosystem Functions
• Inherent Value

29
Environmental Indicators
30
Potential Scientific Breakthroughs
31
Wildlife Legacy
32
Recreation Quality of Life
33
Ecotourism and Economic Impacts
34
Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ www.
ConserveWildlifeNJ.org