AIM SWBAT define biodiversity Please Do Now define
AIM: SWBAT define biodiversity Please Do Now: define “diversity” in your own terms. Is it a good thing or a bad thing?
Agenda • • Do Now Announcements Introduction to biodiversity Finish Lab
Test 1 • Next Tuesday – Covering: Mating/Reproduction, Animal Behavior, Intro to Biodiversity
What is Biodiversity? • Variation of form and function in living systems • This variation can exist on a number of levels: – – Ecosystem diversity Species diversity Genetic Diversity Molecular Diversity
Species Diversity • Biologist are most commonly concerned with species diversity, since diversity at other levels is usually related to species diversity • As such, the terms are sometimes used interchangeably
What is Species diversity? • Humans have studied a shockingly small percentage of the life that exists in the world • Less than 1% of the species we know to exist have been studied, and we probably are aware of the existence of less than 5% of all species
Why should we care about conserving biodiversity? • Biodiversity is strongly related to ecosystem health. • The more species and the greater the complexity of interactions, the healthier the ecosystem. • Diverse ecosystems are better able to respond/adapt to environmental changes
Why should we care about healthy ecosystems? • Healthier ecosystems provide better ecosystem services for humanity • Ecosystem services are benefits from a multitude of resources and processes that are supplied by natural ecosystems
What are examples of Ecosystem services? • 4 categories – Supporting • Ex: nutrient dispersal – Provisioning • Ex: providing us with food – Regulating • Water and air purification, pest and disease control – Cultural • Ex: recreation
Big Picture • Ecosystems provide mankind with services that we cannot do by ourselves • The healthier the ecosystem the better the services • The more diverse the ecosystem, the healthier it is • CONSERVING BIODIVERSITY IS CONSERVING HUMANITY
During the lab today • Try and get the final two tests done: – Acid vs. base (change from neutral) • I will come around with the acid/base solutions when you are ready – Room temp vs. cold
- Slides: 13