Transcript What is biodiversity?

The Futurability of Biodiversity Chapter 1
What is biodiversity?
Various organisms used in Sarawak, Borneo, Malaysia
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Today’s Topics
1. What is biodiversity?
What does the term ‘biodiversity’ concretely mean?
2. Why should we conserve biodiversity?
What roles does biodiversity play in nature?
3. How can we conserve and utilize biodiversity?
What problems must we consider in the conservation and
utilization of biodiversity?
What are the purposes and basic contents of the Convention
on Biological Diversity?
Copyright 2010 Research Institute for Humanity and Nature. All Rights Reserved.
1. What is biodiversity?
 What does the term ‘biodiversity’ concretely mean?
1) Diversity of species
2) Diversity of interspecific interactions
3) Diversity of ecosystems
4) Diversity of genetic traits
Copyright 2010 Research Institute for Humanity and Nature. All Rights Reserved.
1. What is biodiversity?
1) Diversity of species
There are various kinds of species in the world.
Primary forest
Temperate trees
Tropical trees
Plantation forest
approx. 20 species
approx. 200 species
1 species
1 species
(per ha）
Animals and fungi are also more diverse in primary forests than in plantation forests.
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1. What is biodiversity？ 2) Diversity of interspecific interactions
No species can survive without
interacting with other species.
For conservation of biodiversity, we must conserve the web of
interactions among various organisms in a community.
seed disperser
predator
prey
seed predator
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pollinator
seeds
mycorrhizal fungi
1. What is biodiversity?
3) Diversity of ecosystems
Some species need a variety of
ecosystems for their survival.
Nesting in forests
Mating in ponds
Foraging in
paddy fields
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Photo: Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture
1. What is biodiversity?
4) Diversity of genetic traits
No individual can reproduce alone.
Organisms reproduce through exchanging their genes with
others of the same species.
Some lineages are vulnerable to particular diseases or enemies.
Inbreeding leads to reduction of genetic variation, resulting
in accumulation of harmful genes.
Outbreak of diseases likely to happen.
Danger of extinction increases.
Various genetic traits are needed for
conservation of organisms.
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Summary
1. What is biodiversity?
Definition in the Convention on Biological Diversity
“Biological diversity (= biodiversity) means the variability
among living organisms from all sources including, inter alia,
terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the
ecological complexes of which they are part; this includes
diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems.”
In this presentation series, biodiversity also includes the
variability of interactions between organisms and environments,
or interactions among species and ecosystem functions.
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2. Why should we conserve biodiversity?
 What roles does biodiversity play in nature?
1) Fundamental concepts
2) What is ecosystem service?
3) Examples of ecosystem services
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2. Why should we conserve biodiversity?
1) Fundamental concepts
Biodiversity has been rapidly decreasing
all over the world.
• The number of endangered species in the world
Animals: 8811 species Plants: 8504 species
(as of July 27, 2010)
• It is estimated that tens of thousands of species might
become extinct every year in the world.
• The main causes of extinction are considered to be human
activities.
Copyright 2010 Research Institute for Humanity and Nature. All Rights Reserved.
http://www.iucnredlist.org/species-of-the-day
(See Chapter 3)
2. Why should we conserve biodiversity?
1) Fundamental concepts
Human life is supported by biodiversity.
• We utilize a wide variety of organisms in our lives.
– indispensable in our daily lives
– necessary for human well-being
• Greater biodiversity makes ecosystem well-balanced.
– Well-balanced ecosystem provides us with
various benefits.
– Disturbing ecosystem damages human life.
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2. Why should we conserve biodiversity? 2) What is ecosystem service?
Ecosystem function and Ecosystem service
• Ecosystem function
– necessary for the development and sustainment of
ecosystems
• Plants grow by photosynthesis.
• Microbes form soils.
• Food web (prey-predator interactions)
• Cycling of nutrients and water through interactions among
organisms.
• Ecosystem service
– ecosystem functions which are available for human
activities or which provide human welfare
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2. Why should we conserve biodiversity? 2) What is ecosystem service?
Ecosystem service
- benefits that humans can obtain from ecosystem
Categorization by Millennium Ecosystem Assessment
Provisioning services Regulating services
Food
Climatic regulation
Fresh water
Cultural services
Aesthetic
Spiritual
Disease regulation
Fuel
Educational
Fiber
Flood regulation
Recreational
Chemicals
Water purification
Imaginational
Genetic Resources
Symbolic
Supporting service
(supporting the above ecosystem services)
Nutrient cycling
Soil formation
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Primary production
(Millennium Ecosystem Assessment)
2. Why should we conserve biodiversity? 3) Examples of ecosystem services
Provisioning service
plants: 25 spp.
Dinner in a Japanese guesthouse
animals: 13 spp.
Hot Pot cooked at the table
snow crab, Chinese cabbage, mizuna*,
velvet shank, leek, soybean, wheat
fungi: at least 3 spp.
total: more than 41 spp.
Fry
shrimp, black bryony,
sweet pepper, lemon
Simple relish
chicken, tomato, white radish,
parsley, saradana*
Soup
pilchard, leek,
black bryony,
shiitake*,
ginger
Vinegared
food
cow, paddy,
white radish
Food boiled
and
seasoned
butter bean,
chicken, taro,
cabbage,
bonito
Pickles
Chinese
cabbage,
nozawana*
sea tangle,
carrot,
cucumber
Dessert
White
radish,
blueberry,
mint
Rice dish
paddy, salmon,
shrimp, ginger
Appetizer
sea pear, sea tangle,
shimeji*, walleye pollack
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Aperitif
ume*
Sashimi
albacore, sea bream,
shrimp, scallop,
perilla, white radish
Soup
wheat,
shimeji*,
soybean,
bonito,
wild chervil
*Japanese name
2. Why should we conserve biodiversity? 3) Examples of ecosystem services
Provisioning service
Medicinal plants in Japan
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2. Why should we conserve biodiversity? 3) Examples of ecosystem services
Regulating service
Standing crop (g m-2）
The more diverse a plant community is, the higher its primary production.
The number of plant species initially planted
Relationships between plant diversity and standing crop. Various numbers of plant
species were planted in a grassland, and their standing crops were measured at the
end of growth periods. Figures in the graph indicate the experimental years.
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(Tilman et al. 2002)
2. Why should we conserve biodiversity? 3) Examples of ecosystem services
Regulating service
Seed crop of invasive plant species
Ecosystems with higher biodiversity are more tolerant to biological invasion.
The number of plant species initially planted
Various numbers of plant species were initially planted, then a certain plant was made to invade.
The number of seeds that the invasive plant produced at the end of the experiment was less
abundant in the field with the higher number of initially-planted species.
Pg.123, fig 10.5(a) from “Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning. Synthesis and Perspectives"
by Loreau M, Naeem S and Inchausti P (2002) Free permission
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2. Why should we conserve biodiversity? 3) Examples of ecosystem services
Regulating service
Greater genetic variation in cultivated plants secures higher production.
Genetic variation in rice and resistance to rust disease
Experiments in Chinese paddy field.
-Disease-susceptible rice varieties
planted in mixtures with resistant
varieties had 89% greater yield and
blast was 94% less severe than
when they were grown in
monoculture.
Photo:Diversitas
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(Zhu et al. 2000)
2. Why should we conserve biodiversity? 3) Examples of ecosystem services
Cultural service
Rituals in local communities are strongly associated with
the endemic biodiversity.
Ceremony to sanctify a newly-built house in an ethnic group in Borneo, Malaysia.
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2. Why should we conserve biodiversity? 3) Examples of ecosystem services
Cultural service
The local biodiversity creates designs peculiar to the local community.
Decoration pattern of Kenya
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Japanese armorials
Photo: Museum Sarawak
2. Why should we conserve biodiversity? 3) Examples of ecosystem services
Cultural service
Many Japanese traditional colors are named after tree and animal species
which are sources of the dyes or have organs of similar colors.
Trees
83/225
Plants
120/225
Organisms
146/225
(Nagasaki 2001. Japanese Traditional Colors –Their Names and Texture- Seigensha)
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2. Why should we conserve biodiversity? 3) Examples of ecosystem services
Cultural service
Biodiversity affects modern culture.
Emblem of
Japan Football Association
Emblems of football (soccer) teams in Japan
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Informant: Japan Football Association / J. League
Summary 2. Why should we conserve biodiversity?
 Biodiversity enriches human life. Since long ago, people have been
utilizing biodiversity for provisioning, regulating, cultural and supporting
services from ecosystems.
 The benefits that we can receive from ecosystem services are greater
in areas with higher biodiversity than in those with lower biodiversity.
 The benefits from ecosystem services are not only economic but also
spiritual and cultural.
 Biodiversity affects the characteristics of both traditional and modern
cultures, especially for regional and local ones.
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3. How can we conserve and utilize
biodiversity?
 What problems must we consider in the conservation and
utilization of biodiversity?
1) Most people tend to disregard the value of biodiversity when it
does not give us any apparent economical benefit.
2) Biodiversity is often damaged by overuse and overexploitation.
3) Imbalances exist between developed and developing countries
in the costs and benefits of conservation and utilization of
biodiversity.
 What are the purposes and contents of the Convention on
Biological Diversity?
Copyright 2010 Research Institute for Humanity and Nature. All Rights Reserved.
3. How to conserve and utilize biodiversity? 1) Problems
Most people tend to disregard the values of biodiversity
when it does not give us any apparent economical benefit.
Tropical montane forests have
been changed to fields of highland
vegetables.
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Japanese beech forests have
been changed to cedar
plantation forests.
3. How to conserve and utilize biodiversity? 1) Problems
Biodiversity is often damaged by overuse and overexploitation.
An endangered species of alpine
herb, Ranzania japonica
Tiger bones have been utilized
as medicine.
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3. How to conserve and utilize biodiversity? 1) Problems
Imbalances exist between developed and developing
countries in the costs and benefits of conservation and
utilization of biodiversity.
Fungus in tropical rainforest
Tree in tropical rainforest
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3. How to conserve and utilize biodiversity? 2) International convention
The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
・Established at the United Nations Conference on
Environment and Development (UNCED) held in Rio de
Janeiro in 1992.
・Three main purposes:
-Conservation of biodiversity
-Sustainable use of biodiversity
-Equitable distribution of benefits of biodiversity
・Roles of contracting nations:
-Formulation of the National Biodiversity Strategy and
Action Plan (NBSAP)
-Attendance of the Conference of the Parties (COP)
(every two years)
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3. How to conserve and utilize biodiversity? 2) International convention
The National Biodiversity Strategies of Japan
• Assessment of actual state and problems of biodiversity
– the dangers to vulnerable ecosystems
– the dangers to ecosystem in ‘Satoyama’, which has coexisted
with humans
– the dangers brought by invasive species
• Conservation of biodiversity and idea of sustainable use
– basis for human survival
– foundation of safety and efficiency in ecosystems over
generations
– Potential usefulness of resources
– the root of diverse cultures
– Precautious principle and adaptive management
Copyright 2010 Research Institute for Humanity and Nature. All Rights Reserved.
3. How to conserve and utilize biodiversity? 2) International convention
The 2010 Biodiversity Target – Focal Areas
Contracting nations commit themselves to significantly reduce the
current rate of biodiversity loss at the global, regional and national levels.
(a) Reducing the rate of loss of the components of biodiversity, including
(1) biomes, habitats and ecosystems, (2) species and populations, and
(3) genetic variations
(b) Promoting sustainable use of biodiversity
(c) Addressing the major threats to biodiversity, including those arising
from invasive species, climate change, pollution and habitat change
(d) Maintaining ecosystem services
(e) Recognizing and protecting traditional knowledge and practices
(f) Ensuring the fair and equitable sharing of benefits from biodiversity
(g) Mobilizing financial and technical resources, especially for developing
countries
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http://www.biodiv.org/2010-target/default.shtml
Summary 3. How can we conserve and utilize
biodiversity?
 Problems in conservation:
People tend to pay little attention to conservation of organisms with little
economic value.
Organisms with high economic values are often exposed to the risk of
overuse or overexploitation.
 Problems in utilization:
Imbalances between developing and developed countries in economic
benefits obtained from biodiversity.
 For the conservation of biodiversity, the sustainable use of
biodiversity, and the equitable distribution of benefits obtained
from biodiversity, CBD was established in 1992.
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Summary of Today’s Topics
What is biodiversity?
1. Biodiversity consists of four levels of diversities: species,
biological interactions, ecosystems and genetic traits.
2. Biodiversity greatly affects ecosystem services, including
provisioning, regulating, cultural and supporting services.
3. For the sustainable use and conservation of biodiversity,
we must solve various critical problems. For overcoming
the problems, CBD was established.
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Exercises
Let’s do the exercises below:
1) List all the organisms you have eaten today and
count the number.
2) Give an example of imbalanced utilization of
biodiversity between developed and developing
countries.
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Glossary (1/2)
Fair trade
An international social movement that aims to help producers of goods in
developing countries and to promote environmental and social sustainability.
Fair prices are paid for labor and well as products.
Population
The number of individuals in a species in its whole or a part of distribution areas.
Primary forest
Natural forest which has rarely been affected by human activities.
Primary production
Plants’ vital activities which make carbohydrates through photosynthesis, or the
amount of the carbohydrates.
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Glossary (2/2)
Red list
Lists of endangered species which are made in each area or country.
Endangered species are categorized at several levels according to the degree of
the danger of extinction.
Secondary forest
Natural forest which has recovered from primary forest which was destroyed by
human activities.
Sustainable use
Utilization method whose benefits are obtained not only temporarily but also
continuously. The definition varied according to the situation.
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References (1/2)
Levine J. M. Naeem S. and Kennedy T. (2002)
Neighborhood scale effects of species diversity on biological invasions and their
relationship to community patterns. In Loreau, M. Naeem S. and Inchausti P. eds.,
“Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning. Synthesis and Perspectives,” pp. 114124 Oxford University Press, Oxford.
Museum Sarawak (1997)
Tusau Padan, a Retrospective Exhibition. Society Ateller Sarawak
Tilman D., Reich P. B., Knops J., Wedin D., Mielke T. and Lehman C. (2002)
Diversity and Productivity in a Long-Term Grassland Experiment. Science 294:843845
Zhu Y., Chen H., Fan J., Wang Y., Li Y., Chen J., Fan J., Yang S., Hu L., Leung H.,
Mew T. W., Teng P. S., Wang Z. and Mundt C. C.(2000)
Genetic diversity and disease control in rice. Nature 406:718–722
Copyright 2010 Research Institute for Humanity and Nature. All Rights Reserved.
References (2/2) - Japanese
Japan Football Association
JFA emblem
Japan League
J1/J2 team emblem
Nagasaki M. (2001)
Japanese Traditional Colors –Their Names and Texture-. Tougensha
Copyright 2010 Research Institute for Humanity and Nature. All Rights Reserved.
Cited Websites
The IUCN Red List of threatened species
http://www.iucnredlist.org/species-of-the-day
Convention on Biological Diversity
http://www.biodiv.org/2010-target/default.shtml
Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (ed)
Ecosystems and Human Well-being. -A Framework for Assessmenthttp://pdf.wri.org/ecosystems_human_wellbeing.pdf#search='ecosystems and
human wellbeing'
Copyright 2010 Research Institute for Humanity and Nature. All Rights Reserved.
Authors & Credits
The Futurability of Biodiversity Chapter 1
What is biodiversity?
Authors
Tohru Nakashizuka
Shin’ichiro Aiba
Aya Hatada
Stewart Wachs
Martin Piddington
Applications
CutPRO3 Real tough. Animal and Insect version (Design Office Kyowa)
Microsoft PowerPoint®
Sugoneta illustration package. Animal encyclopedia (Grapac Japan)
Illustration & design
Be4°TECH
Koubou Yecoruka
Photos
Aya Hatada
Biodiversity Photos
Diversitas
Masahiro Aiba
Tohru Nakashizuka
Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture
Copyright 2010 Research Institute for Humanity and Nature. All Rights Reserved.