Biodiversity Learning Target BIODIVERSITY What is biodiversity The

Biodiversity Learning Target

BIODIVERSITY What is biodiversity? The variety of life on earth Focus of Biodiversity 1. 2. 3. Different species of plants & animals Diversity of genes (genetics) Different ecosystems on the planet

BIODIVERSITY Why is biodiversity important? 1. 2. 3. Ecosystem survival Human society Continue evolution

1. Ecosystem Survival Which is more diverse? Which is more stable?

1. Ecosystem Survival Why is biodiversity important to ecosystems? Strengthens the food web!! Resist disturbances Rebound from natural disasters & human interactions

2. Human Society We are the smartest species on Earth But we are the most dependent! How does biodiversity help human society? ü ü ü Food – ex: bacteria help our food grow Economy - $$ Medicines – plants & bacteria Wood products Pollution break down Research

3. Continued Evolution Why do things evolve? So they can survive & adapt! The rate of evolution has slowed dramatically The amount of biodiversity has decreased Without biodiversity, many more animals will go extinct Diversity helps organisms evolve to fight disease & survive in their surroundings

SPECIES EXTINCTION Threatened = Species that are still abundant in their natural range, but are declining in numbers and are likely to become endangered Examples in Pennsylvania: Osprey, Sedge Wren, Yellowbellied Flycatcher

SPECIES EXTINCTION Endangered = Species that have few individual survivors and therefore could soon become extinct over most or all of the species’ natural range Examples from Pennsylvania: Bald Eagle, Short-eared Owl

SPECIES EXTINCTION Extinct = Species that have completely disappeared from the Earth. Example from Pennsylvania: Passenger Pigeon

Species Extinction Extinct – Giant Short Face Bear Endgangered Orangutan Threatened – King Cobra

SPECIES EXTINCTION and DESTRUCTION OF BIODIVERSITY 1. Human Population Growth A. 1000 B. C. = 50 million people B. 2012 = 7 BILLION people C. The more our population grows 1) Need more resources 2) Produce more pollution 2. Resource Use A. Natural resources = anything in the environment used by people B. Renewable (trees, sunlight) & nonrenewable (coal, oil)

SPECIES EXTINCTION and DESTRUCTION OF BIODIVERSITY 3. Pollution A. Soil < Water < Air 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) Chemicals Waste Noise Heat Light

SPECIES EXTINCTION and DESTRUCTION OF BIODIVERSITY 4. Habitat Destruction A. Deforestation – cutting down the forest B. Habitat fragmentation – ex: building a highway or road through a forest C. Plowing Grasslands 5. Poaching – illegal hunting or removal of wildlife 6. Overfishing

SPECIES EXTINCTION and DESTRUCTION OF BIODIVERSITY 7. Native vs. Exotic/Invasive Species A. Species that is introduced by humans and is not native to that habitat B. Introduction by accident or on purpose C. Throws off ecosystem & food web 1) How does this happen? 2) Take over habitat, food sources, no natural predators D. Ex: Kudzu vine

LIMITING FACTORS Limiting factors = environmental factor that causes a population to decrease 1. Food & water Example: A giraffe needs 10 kilograms of leaves a day. The trees can only produce 100 kilograms of leaves What is the carrying capacity?

LIMITING FACTORS 2. Space A. B. C. Nesting space Territory Trees need enough room to get light, nutrients, etc 3. Weather A. Temperature B. Rainfall

How can we protect biodiversity? 1. Captive breeding A. Mating animals in zoos, etc. B. Release into the wild 2. Laws & treaties A. Endangered Species Act – protects endangered species from hunting & trade B. CITES – international treaty - not mandatory! 3. Habitat preservation A. 1872 – Yellowstone National Park B. 7, 000 preservation parks today

Symbiosis Mutualism – both species benefit (+/+) Parasitism – parasite feeds off the host (+/-) Commensalism – one species benefits and the other is neither helped nor harmed (+/o) Predation – one species eats another (+/-) Competition – one species is the better competitor (+/-)

Species Interactions from Nature – PBS