Biodiversity Notes

1
Biodiversity Notes

• Short for Biological Diversity
• What does this mean?

Biological Living organisms (plants and
animals) Diversity variety
2
Species diversity

• number of species in a given area.
• An island with 2 bird species and 1 lizard
  species is more diverse than an island with 3
  bird species.
• Its numbers of species as well as categories of
  organisms.

http//www.ipgri.cgiar.org/themes/human/images/Veg
etation_Cuba.jpg
http//www.al.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/photo/for/mn
gt/pine_plantation2.jpg
Higher Species Diversity
Lower Species Diversity
3
Genetic diversity
http//www.sagarprabhu.com/gif/rice5.gif

• Variations of genes within a species.
• Lots of distinct populations within a species
  (lots of varieties of rice in India--all from
  same species)
• Genetic Variation within the population as a
  whole (high in Indian rhinos, low in cheetahs)

A few of the hundreds of rice varieties found in
India.
Some genetic diversity in potatoes
http//www.potatoperspective.org/about_files/DSCN7
746.jpg
4
Ecosystem diversity

• Variety of ecosystems within an area.
• Wisconsin has about 9 different ecosystems, other
  states only have about 3, some gt14, etc.
• Very hard to measure due to overlapping boundary
  areas also called ecotones.

http//cropandsoil.oregonstate.edu/HJA_mo/images/L
ookout_meadow_vs_forest.jpg
Coniferous Forest meeting a meadow
http//www.naturalhomemagazine.com/backissues/02-0
1/living_color/beach.jpg
Ocean meeting a beach
5
Importance of Biodiversity

• Maintains soil quality healthy bacteria, algae,
  fungi, mites, millipedes and worms help cycle
  nutrients
• Maintains air quality plants purify the air and
  filter harmful particles out of the air
• Maintains water quality variety of vegetation
  reduces erosion and purifies water by removing
  (using or absorbing) nutrients and pollution

http//www.srl.caltech.edu/personnel/krubal/rainfo
rest/Edit560s6/www/images/plants/fngcone1.jpg
http//www.tropicalisland.de/KCH20Sarawak20-20B
ako20National20Park20-20Tropical20rainforest2
201_b.jpg
http//www.pondsaway.com/images/wetlands1.jpg
6
Importance Continued
Intercropping cocoa plants with coconut trees.

• Pest control most crop pests can be controlled
  by other organisms for a longer period of time
  helpful because many pests become resistant to
  synthetic pesticides
• Pollination and crop production More than 1/3
  of worlds crops rely on healthy pollinators
• (Potential) Medicines many current and possible
  future medications found in areas with high
  biodiversity

http//images.jupiterimages.com/common/detail/75/8
1/22568175.jpg
http//www.bugwise.net.au/images/250/pollination_0
02.jpg
7
5 Threats of Biodiversity

• Habitat destruction/fragmentation
• Invasive species
• Population growth
• Pollution
• Overconsumption

8
Habitat Destruction

• Changing a habitat to suit human needsfor
  housing, farming, etc.

• This displaces animals/plants. As the human
  population grows, so does habitat destruction!

9
Fragmentation

• Breaking up large habitats into smaller habitats.
  
• Creates an edge habitat where inner habitat
  used to be. Some plants and animals cannot adapt
  to these changes.

http//www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/sta
tes/illinois/images/ozark_frag.jpg
10
Invasive Species

• Any organism that has been relocated somewhere
  other than its original habitat.

Oftentimes, invasive species out-compete native
species resulting in disruption of the ecosystem
and food chain. Many native organisms are
becoming endangered by this!
Synonyms include Introduced species, non-native
species, exotic species and alien species
Zebra Mussel
Asian Beetle
11
Population growth of Humans

• Increasing population means greater demand for
  food, shelter, fuel and water.
• This often leads to habitat loss, pollution,
  resource scarcity and overconsumption (in areas
  with enough money)
• Humans are coming into greater (more frequent)
  contact with previously wild areas with high
  biodiversity

http//www1.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve
/2222903/2/istockphoto_2222903_crowded_city.jpg
http//www.chbr.noaa.gov/categories/stressors/imag
es/pollution_sm.jpg
12
Population expected to reach 8 billion by 2020
13
Pollution

• Pollution can alter the habitat to the point
  where some plants and animals will not be able to
  adapt.
• Global Climate Change--many species are
  intolerant to changes in temperature--affects
  feeding relationships and breeding patterns.
• Acid rain/Air pollution-these types of issues do
  not respect borders. US acid rain fell in Canada
  destroying sugar maple forests which upset the
  amount/quality of maple syrup produced.

14
Overconsumption

• Individuals consuming way more resources than
  needed to survive sometimes more than is needed
  for a high standard of life
• Industrialized nations make up 25 of the worlds
  population, but use 75 of its resources.
• US makes up only 5 of worlds pop--causes 33 of
  worlds pollution!

15
(No Transcript)