Title: Biodiversity Notes
1Biodiversity Notes
- Short for Biological Diversity
- What does this mean?
Biological Living organisms (plants and
animals) Diversity variety
2Species 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.
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etation_Cuba.jpg
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gt/pine_plantation2.jpg
Higher Species Diversity
Lower Species Diversity
3Genetic diversity
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- 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
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746.jpg
4Ecosystem 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.
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ookout_meadow_vs_forest.jpg
Coniferous Forest meeting a meadow
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1/living_color/beach.jpg
Ocean meeting a beach
5Importance 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
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rest/Edit560s6/www/images/plants/fngcone1.jpg
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ako20National20Park20-20Tropical20rainforest2
201_b.jpg
http//www.pondsaway.com/images/wetlands1.jpg
6Importance 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
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1/22568175.jpg
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02.jpg
75 Threats of Biodiversity
- Habitat destruction/fragmentation
- Invasive species
- Population growth
- Pollution
- Overconsumption
8Habitat Destruction
- Changing a habitat to suit human needsfor
housing, farming, etc.
- This displaces animals/plants. As the human
population grows, so does habitat destruction!
9Fragmentation
- 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.
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tes/illinois/images/ozark_frag.jpg
10Invasive 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
11Population 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
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/2222903/2/istockphoto_2222903_crowded_city.jpg
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es/pollution_sm.jpg
12Population expected to reach 8 billion by 2020
13Pollution
- 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.
14Overconsumption
- 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!
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