Biodiversity Loss Presented by Jim Jackson Debbie Lynch

Biodiversity Loss Presented by Jim Jackson Debbie Lynch

Biodiversity Loss CAUSES ETHICS SOLUTIONS Yes, that is the Carolina Parakeet.

Biodiversity Defined Population Diversity Size of overall population Size and Numbers of local populations Distribution Genetic makeup Better for analyzing biodiversity loss Species Diversity Differences between species Most often used to quantify biodiversity loss More studies completed in this area Presentation focus Rosy Periwinkle.

What is Natural? Compared to… n n Average Species lives for 4 million years One mammal per 1000 years n n One bird per 500 years n n 80 mammals in 400 years 115 birds in 400 years One reptile or amphibian every 400 years n 123 fish in 100 years (in America alone)

Biodiversity Loss • Overexploitaion CAUSES • Invasive Species • Habitat Loss

Biodiversity Loss CAUSES Overexploitation l. Death rate > Birth rate l. Steller’s Seacow –Hunted for profit/food l. Passenger Pigeon –Hunted as a pest

Biodiversity Loss CAUSES Invasive Species ØAffects 49% of threatened or endangered species in America Ø 10% rule: 10% of introduced species take, 10% of species that take become invasive ØMc. Donaldization

Biodiversity Loss CAUSES Invasive Species ØLinear relationship between diversity of species and landmass If the earth was a single landmass, we would lose 66% of mammal diversity & 48% bird diversity l

Biodiversity Loss CAUSES Invasive Species ØPredation ØEx: Cats vs. New Zealand ground birds

Biodiversity Loss CAUSES Invasive Species ØCompetition & Habitat Alteration ØEx: Knapweed!

Biodiversity Loss CAUSES Invasive Species ØHybridization ØEx. Native Mediterranean White Duck vs. more numerous Ruddy Duck + =

Biodiversity Loss CAUSES Invasive Species ØDisease Vectors ØColonization of the Americas

Biodiversity Loss CAUSES Habitat Loss n. Affects 85% of threatened or endagered species in America n. Area the size of South America is planted with crops n 175 billion pounds of nitrogen & tons of pesticide applied annually

Biodiversity Loss CAUSES Habitat Loss n. Logging forests n. Overharvesting => habitat loss n. Water manipulation n. Damns, irrigation

Biodiversity Loss • Life is Sacred • Economics Costs/Benefit • $30 trillion worth of services • Costs US $137 billion to fight invasive species annually • Future Benefits • Medicines • It’s Cool ETHICS

Biodiversity Loss Every Species Has Its Natural Environment Species that are capable of living SOLUTIONS in a variety of environments are Species that live in a specific area are ENDEMICS. GENERALISTS. Endemics are more likely to be affected by change.

Biodiversity Loss SOLUTIONS Protecting Biodiversity Priorities Econimically • It is economically advantageous to protect biodiversity Ecologically • By protecting biodiversity, it will prevent ecological problems Secondary Emotional Attachment • By protecting nature for nature’s sake provides intrinsic value to biodiversity

Biodiversity Loss SOLUTIONS Economical In Costa Rica, a preserve was established to preserve biodiversity for economic reasons • Ecotourism • Pharmaceuticals

Biodiversity Loss SOLUTIONS Ecological Keystone species are species that are crucial to the structure of the entire ecosystem. Without keystone species, ecosystems could not function well.

Biodiversity Loss SOLUTIONS Intrinsic Value First Lady Laura Bush has begun to restore their Crawford Texas ranch with native species of grasses. By restoring the native vegetation, Laura hopes to restore the natural habitat of a variety of species.

Biodiversity Loss SOLUTIONS Methods of Preservation In Situ Habitat Conservation Regulation of Land Use Protecting Species Ex Situ Captive Breeding Zoological Parks Botanical Gardens

Biodiversity Loss SOLUTIONS Irian Jaya’s Reserve System In designing the Irian Jaya reserves, the Indonesian government considers • Habitat • Biogeography • Area

Biodiversity Loss SOLUTIONS The Black Footed Ferret With an extremely small population, these ferrets were captured in order to reestablish a viable population.

Biodiversity Loss SOLUTIONS Cost/Benefits of Protecting Biodiversity • Opportunity Costs

Biodiversity Loss SOLUTIONS Opportunity Costs • • Management Maintenance Future Benefits Economic Value