Introduction To Biodiversity What is Biodiversity Biological diversity

Introduction To Biodiversity

What is Biodiversity? ? ? Biological diversity v Simply means the diversity, or variety, of plants and animals and other living things in a particular area or region v v Also means the number, or abundance of different species living within a particular region

Okay, So Why Is It Important? v Everything that lives in an ecosystem is part of the web of life, including humans v Each species of vegetation and each creature has a place on the earth and plays a vital role in the circle of life v Plant, animal, and insect species interact and depend upon one another for what each offers, such as food, shelter, oxygen, and soil enrichment v "It is reckless to suppose that biodiversity can be diminished indefinitely without threatening humanity itself. " -Edward O. Wilson (Father of Biodiversity)

Early Classification v v v To study the diversity of life, biologists use a classification system to name organisms and group them in a logical manner. The field of Biology that deals with classifying organisms is called Taxonomy. Carolus Linnaeus is the father of Modern Taxonomy (1700’s) • Linnaeus is considered the founder of the binomial system of nomenclature and the originator of modern scientific classification of plants and animals

Linneaus’ Findings: v Millions of animals and plants v How did we keep them in order? v Binomial Nomenclature

Hierarchy

Binomial Nomenclature Identifying organisms by their genus and species’ names v 2 words v First letter of FIRST word is capital, First letter of SECOND word is lowercase. v The word needs to be in italic or underlined v Latin Form of the word. v Ex: Homo sapiens, Acer rubrum, Canus lupus v Humans, Red Maple, Wolf v

Binomial Nomenclature Used because the common name can sometimes be misleading. v Common names can be different in various parts of the world (for example the British, North American and Australian “Robins”) v Latin is a universal “dead” language v

How do Scientist Classify organisms? v v v You will probably need to add this slide to your notes Characteristics that appear in recent parts of a lineage but not in its older members are called derived characters. Derived Characters can be used to construct a Cladogram, a diagram that shows the evolutionary relationship among a group of organism This concept was derived from Darwin. http: //ccl. northwestern. edu/simevolution/obonu/cladograms/Ope n-This-File. swf

How do Scientist Classify organisms? Early systems of classification grouped organisms together bases on visible similarities. v That can quickly lead to troubles…. v Biologist now group organisms into categories that represent lines of evolutionary descent, or phylogeny, not just physical similarities. v Characteristics that appear in recent parts of a lineage but not in its older members are called derived characters. v This concept was derived from Darwin. v

How do Scientist Classify organisms? Similarities at the DNA level in the genes of organisms can be used to help determine classification. v Comparisons of DNA can also be used to mark the passage of evolutionary time. A model known as a molecular clock uses DNA comparisons to estimate the length of time that two species have been evolving independently. v

A dichotomous key is a series of yes/no questions that state the rules for placing items into categories within a system of classification v Ex: Plants, Insects, Trees, People (We could make one for our class!!) v

Now, it’s your turn to Practice We will work in groups of 2 v Pick someone that is dressed most like you today v Move beside them QUIETLY v I will hand out lab materials and questions and go over the lab v You will have 15 minutes to work on this lab and to finish the questions v Go back to your seats and begin on System of Classification Notes v

1. Eubacteria- (Bacteria) v 2. Archaebacteria(Bacteria) v 2. Protists- (Amoeba) v 3. Fungi- (Mushrooms) v 4. Plants- (Trees) v 5. Animal- (Mammals) v

2 Kingdoms or 1? v v v Our book lists 6 kingdoms, Eubacteria and Archaebacteria Prior to 1990 most books listed only 5 kingdoms, Eubacteria and Archaebacteria were grouped together Monera Either is correct. . (I still refer to Monera on my quizzes and test. )

The Three-Domain System v Molecular analyses have given rise to a new taxonomic category that is now recognized by many scientist. v The domain is more inclusive category than any other—larger than a kingdom. v Bacteria, Archaea and Eukarya.

Assignment v Copy the chart on page 459 in its entirety. v Plain white paper v Due the day of the test!

Eubacteria v v v v Single Celled, Prokaryotic, Autotrophic and Hetrotrophic Most bacteria are in the EUBACTERIA kingdom. Cell walls with peptidoglycan. Some produce vitamins and foods like yogurt. Ex: Streptococcus, Escherichia coli Bacteria…ecological diverse Free living soil organisms to deadly parasites Some need oxygen some do not need oxygen.

Archaebacteria v v v v Single Celled Prokaryotic Autotrophic and Heterotrophic Cell walls do NOT contain peptidogllycan Ex: Methanogens, halophiles These bacteria live in volcanic hot springs, brine pools, and black organic mud. Most survive in the absence of oxygen

Protists v v v Mostly unicellular Eukaryotic Autotrophic/Heterotrophic Members have great variety Ex: Amoeba (bottom) and Paramecium (top) You need to be familiar with BOTH of these little guys…they will be on your quiz/test.

Fungi v v v Mostly multicellular but some unicellular. Has a cell wall but does NOT make its own food. Heterotrophic Change dead organic matter into usable nutrients… Decomposers Ex: Bread mold, mildew, yeast, and mushrooms.

Plant Kingdom Green- contain chlorophyll v Make food by photosynthesis v Ex: Algae. Moss, Vascular Plants, Trees, Flower, Etc v

Animal Kingdom Multi-Cellular v Cannot make their own food v Most animals move (sponge is sessile) v Vertebrates: (Backbone) Ex: Fish, Frogs, Birds, Snakes, and US!! v Invertebrates: (No backbone) Ex: Sponges, Jellyfish, Earthworm v

A Mysterious Organism-Virus Not sure which classification to put viruses under v No cell parts v Chromosomelike structures v Do not grow as living things v

A Mysterious Organism-Virus 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. A virus is an infectious organism that reproduces within the cells of an infected host. A virus is not alive until it enters the cells of a living plant or animal. A virus contains genetic information wrapped in a protein coat. Viruses can be useful as well as harmful. A virus that mutates ensures its own survival by making itself unrecognizable to immune systems and vaccines. Even viruses engineered for useful purposes can be harmful if unchecked

Body Symmetry- The arrangement of body parts. v Radial Symmetry- Has body parts radiating from a central point. Ex: Starfish, Hydra v Bilateral Symmetry- An animal with body parts arranged in pairs on either sides of a central axis. Ex: Humans v Asymmetry- Irregular body shape v Body Symmetry

Body Symmetry

Parts of the Body Dorsal- Top of animal (Back Surface) v Ventral- Bottom of animal (Belly) v Anterior- Front of animal v Posterior- End of animal v

Metamorphosis v A series of changes during which young insects develop into adults

Complete Metamorphosis Egg, Larva, Pupa, Adult v The larva looks completely different than the adult v Ex: Butterflies, Beetles, Flies v

Incomplete Metamorphosis Egg, Nymph, Adult v A nymph is like a much smaller version of the adult v Ex: Grasshopper, Cockroaches v

Biomes Large areas (ecosystems) with the same type of climax community v Biomes located on land are called terrestrial v Those located in oceans, lakes, streams, or ponds are called aquatic v

Biomes Terrestrial biomes include (out of your book) Tundra, Taiga, Desert, Grassland, Deciduous Forest, and Tropical Rain Forest v Other Biomes Savannah, Chaparral, Mountain Zones, etc v

Biomes v Aquatic Biomes include …. v Marine, estuary, and freshwater.

Biomes

Tundra Treeless land. v Short soggy summers; long, cold, dark winters v Strong winds v Temperature never rises above freezing for long. v

Tundra Permafrost- Permanently frozen subsoil v Only topmost layer of soil thaws during the summer v Poorly developed soil v Grasses, shallow-rooted plants v

Tundra v Mosses, lichens, sedges, bearberry, and short grasses v Waterfowl, musk ox, arctic foxes, caribou, lemmings

Tundra

Tundra Bearberry is a common plant that can be found in the Tundra. v This is in the warm season. v

Taiga Circles the North Pole v Land of mixed pine, fir, hemlock, and spruce trees v Warmer and wetter than Tundra v v Bears, elk, deer, beavers, owls, bobcats

Taiga v Mild temperatures v Abundant precipitation during fall winter and spring v Relatively cool dry summer v Rocky v Acidic soils

Taiga

Desert v v v Arid region with sparse plant life Occupy about 1/5 of the Earth’s surface. Little and unpredictable rainfall. . usually 50 cm of rain or less annually Cold and hot deserts exist Ex: Desert Tortoise, Diamondback Rattlesnake, Cactus, Aloe

Desert v Deserts may be found throughout the world…Sahara of North Africa, southwestern U. S. , Mexico, and Australia as well as in the basin and range area of Utah and Nevada and in parts of western Asia.

Desert

Temperate Grasslands Between 25 and 75 cm of precipitation annually v Large communities covered with grasses and similar small plants v Occupies more area than any other biome v Ex: v

Temperate Grasslands v Warm to hot summers’ and cold winters v Moderate seasonal precipitation v Fertile soils v Dominant plants: perennial grasses and herbs and sunflowers, oats, rye, wheat v Dominant wildlife: coyotes badgers, deer, and rabbits

Temperate Grasslands

Temperate Grassland

Savanna Grassland with scattered trees. v Frequent fires, large mammals. v Many small animals are dormant during dry period. v

Savanna v 3 distinct seasons: v cool and dry v hot and dry v warm and wet. v Soils are poor.

Savanna

Chaparral v Scrubland, regions of dense shrubs along coasts. v Between 30 and 40 degrees latitude.

Chaparral v Rainy winters, long dry summers. v Maintained by periodic fires. v Deer, birds, rodents, snakes, etc.

Temperate Deciduous Forest Precipitation ranges from 70 to 150 cm annually; v Rains year round v Cold to moderate winters with hot summers v Fertile soils v

Temperate Deciduous Forest Broad-leaved hardwood trees that loose their foliage v Ex: Deer, Bears, Oaks, Maples, Salamanders v

Temperate Deciduous Forest

Tropical Rain Forests Most biologically diverse v Found near the equator v Warm, wet weather dominated by lush plant growth v Receives at least 200 cm of precipitation annually v Dense, tangled vegetation v

Tropical Rain Forest v Competition for light. v Soil is usually poor due to rapid nutrient recycling. v Animals are often tree dwellers. v Ex. Sloths, Monkeys, Bamboo

Tropical Rain Forest

AQUATIC BIOMES v 75% of Earth is covered in water. v Divided into two categories freshwater and marine v Marine Biomes: The water is salt water. Oceans, sea, and some inland lakes contain salt water. v Freshwater is confined to rivers, streams, ponds and most lakes.

Marine Oceans contain the largest amount of biomass, or living material, of any biome on earth. v Many living organisms are small they cannot even be seen. v Ecologist study marine biomes by separating them into different zones. v

Freshwater Ponds, lake, rivers, etc are also full of life but more so around the shoreline and in shallow areas. v Water temperature and sunlight penetration are factors that limits life in freshwater biomes. v

Freshwater In the shallow waters you will find plants such as cattails and sedges. v These plants serve as food and homes for tadpoles, aquatic insects, worms, crayfish, dragonflies v Minnows, bluegill, and carp also live here. v

Estuary An estuary is a coastal body of water, partially surrounded by land, in which freshwater and saltwater mix. v It may extend many miles inland. v

Estuary v Wide range of organisms live here.