Biodiversity Bioaccumulation Bioaccumulation Pesticides chemicals designed to kill

Biodiversity & Bioaccumulation

Bioaccumulation • Pesticides – chemicals designed to kill insects. • Bioaccumulation – the multiplying affects that toxins have in our ecosystem. – Multiplies for each level up the toxin moves up the trophic pyramid. • Ex. DDT (illegal pesticide) moves up the food chain • Aka biological magnification

Bioaccumulation • Pesticides can be stored in the fats of animals. • Causes the top predators in an ecosystem to accumulate chemicals within their bodies. • Can cause death if concentrations get too high.

Biodiversity • Biodiversity: Different forms of life on Earth or in an ecosystem. • Reduction in biodiversity is called Biodiversity loss. • How is biodiversity lost? ? ? HUMAN ACTIVITES • Deforestation, farming, Open pastures, industrial development, draining wetlands

• Effects of biodiversity loss: – Endangerment or extinction of plants and animals – Loss of valuable food or medicinal plants

Conservation • How can one reduce biodiversity loss? • Solution: Conservation – Protect the habitat of endangered species – Don’t purchase products made from endangered species • Ex. Ivory, tropical woods – Don’t use pesticides

Critical Questions • Name 3 reasons that we are losing biodiversity? • Who wrote Silent Spring and warned the world about the dangers of pesticide use? • What does “conservation” mean?