Ecosystem Diversity 1 What is biodiversity 2 Where

Ecosystem Diversity 1. What is biodiversity? 2. Where did all these species come from? 3. Can new species form? 4. How do humans effect biodiversity? 5. How do we prevent extinction? 6. Why is it important to have so many different species? (in other words, what roles do they play in an ecosystem?

Tuesday 1. What is biodiversity? (p 78 -80) 2. Where did all these species come from? (p 80 -83) 3. Can new species form? (p 86 -87)

What is biodiversity? • Biodiversity is the variety of the earth’s species, the genes they contain, the ecosystems in which they live and the ecosystem processes such as energy flow that sustain all life. • Its super important, really its vital. • Just for grins: ID: 1. 8 million but think there is 4100 million out there. • How we look at biodiversity – – Species diversity Ecosystem diversity Functional diversity Genetic diversity (allows to adapt)

Where did all these species come from? • Biological Evolution: change over time. (in populations not individuals) • Darwin’s theory: – Common ancestor – Natural selection: most fit organism survives to reproduce. – Allows organisms to adapt to their environment. – What causes the changes in individuals = mutations Mutation= individuals are selected=populations evolve that are better adapted to the changing environment.

Can new species form? • Speciation: forming of a new species. • Mechanisms for speciation: reproductive isolation or geographic isolation.

Wednesday 1. How do humans effect biodiversity? (pg. 8789) 2. How do we prevent extinction? 3. Why is it important to have so many different species? (in other words, what roles do they play in an ecosystem?

What are the effects humans cause in a species? 1. Extinction vs. Endemic -mass extinction: amphibians? 2. Invasive species

How do we prevent extinction? 1. Conservation (protected areas) 2. Insure species diversity: (species richness vs species evenness). species richness: lots of different organisms species evenness: relative abundance of each species. Species richness = sustainability

Roles • Ecological niche: the role of a species • Generalist: can live in many different places and eat many different foods? (raccoons, deer, beetles, rats, mice) • Specialist: occupy a narrow niche (panda, tiger salamanders) • Native species vs. invasive (nonnative, alien, exotic) • Indicator species: species that provide early warning signs. • Keystone species: have a larger effect on an ecosystem than their numbers would suggest. (alligator or prairie dogs) • Foundation species or ecological engineers: plays a major role in shaping communitites by creating and enhancing their habitats.

Now that we have looked back over our notes… • Speciation: Of Ligers & Men - Crash Course Biology #15 – You. Tube • Words you may want to add that are not in your book. ( I don’t have to tell your book is not the best ) • Allopatric speciation • Sympatric speciation

Lets get ready for POPULATION ECOLOGY!!! Population Ecology Characteristics Factors Growth Models Estimating Populations Measuring Diversity