Biodiversity the variety of life in an area

Biodiversity: the variety of life in an area. Importance: A species loss may have consequences for other species Animals need plants need pollinators Trees need decomposers to restore nutrients Humans depend on other organisms Oxygen is supplied and Co 2 is removed by plants and algae Diverse diets Clothing, furniture, and building materials Manufacture Drugs that improve health

Loss of Biodiversity Extinction: the disappearance of a species Passenger pigeons Woodland caribou Leopard frog

Threatened Species Threatened species: a rapid decline of a population of species Elephants Logger-head Turtles Sea Otters

Endangered Species Endangered species: when a species numbers become low enough to become extinct Florida manatees California condor Black Rhinoceros

Threats to Biodiversity Human population growth and development Habitat Loss - cutting down rain forests Habitat fragmentation - highways that separate Habitat degradation - damage by pollution Acid rain: low p. H from coal-burning factories & nitrogen oxides from auto exhausts combine with water vapor. Ozone Layer (O 3): Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) break down ozone layer that protects Zebra mussels Earth from UV rays. Water Pollution - Excess fertilizers and wastes Land Pollution - solid wastes Exotic Species Introduced - Take over original population

Conservation of Biodiversity • Legal Protections of species • Preserving habitats • Reintroduction programs The Gray Wolf

The End Black-footed Ferret