Transcript Slide 1

Loss of Animal Biodiversity
Why Is It Important and What Can We Do About It?
Katie Gankos
February 23rd, 2009
In Other Words…
Will
End Up Like
?
What is Biodiversity, Anyway?
Biodiversity is defined as:
The number and variety of organisms found
within a specified geographic region
Why Are We Losing It?
Reason #1: Climate Change
The levels of CO2 in the atmosphere are increasing, causing global
temperatures to rise – 0.6° C since 1970
Increasing temperatures then cause:
-Rising sea levels
-Melting of the Arctic ice and glaciers
By 2100, temperatures are expected to have risen by 6° C
Why Are We Losing It?
Reason #2: Overpopulation
The human population has been rising steadily, and in many
areas of the world, continues to do so.
Does the Earth have a carrying capacity?
Why Is Biodiversity Important?
All of Earth’s ecosystems are intricately linked, and the
diversity of organisms contributes to their ability to
function.
In addition, many possess KEYSTONE species:
A species whose presence contributes to a diversity of life and
whose extinction would lead to the extinction of many other
animals
Proof of Climate Change
Quelccya Ice Cap, Peru
Alaska
The presence of “hotspots”, spots rich in biological diversity, have decreased.
20 years ago = 16% of Earth’s surface
Now = < 3% of Earth’s surface
One Big Example: Polar Bears
According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the polar bear
population is stable
However, they were placed on the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in
May 2008
Well….WHY?
Polar bears are a great example of a keystone species, and their
habitat is changing rapidly
Changes in the Arctic
Since 1970, there has been a 3% decrease in the extent of sea ice
per decade
Some scientists believe ALL of the summer arctic sea ice could
disappear by 2013!!
So why is this important to the polar bears?
Earlier breakup of sea ice = shorter hunting season
A 2 week shorter hunting season = 8% weight loss
Another Example: Leatherback Sea
Turtles
Populations are drastically effected by increased temperature:
-Rising sea levels are shrinking beaches
-Rising sea temperatures are killing the reefs
-Eggs are very sensitive to sand temperature
Considered critically endangered,
with only 3,000 left in the wild
Endangered Species Act
Passed in 1966
Serves to protect all threatened or endangered species and their
habitats
Currently, there are 1,215 vertebrates and invertebrates listed
Classified as either Threatened or Endangered
How Does the Endangered Species
Act Relate to Us?
Currently, there are 17 species native to Maryland on the ESA
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Bat, Indiana
Darter, Maryland
Plover, piping
Sea turtle, green
Sea turtle, hawksbill
Sea turtle, Kemp's ridley
Sea turtle, leatherback
Sea turtle, loggerhead
Squirell, Demarva Peninsula fox
Sturgeon, shortnose
Tiger Beetle, northeastern beach
Tiger Beetle, Puritan
Turtle, bog northern
Wedgemussel, dwarf
Whale, finback
Whale, humpback
Whale, right
Global Solutions
Increase the number and size of reserves
Decrease the amount of CO2 we release into the atmosphere
Education
Stricter laws enforcing habitat conservation
Local Solutions
Implement education programs in local elementary schools
Reduce our everyday carbon footprint by:
-Changing our light bulbs
-Eat less meat
-Fly less
-Reuse
-Carpooling
Works Cited
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Brown, Lester R. Plan B 4.0: Mobilizing to Save Civilization. 4th ed. N.p.: W W Norton & Compant, 2009. Earth Policy Institute. Web. 23
Feb. 2010. <http://www.earth-policy.org/images/uploads/ book_files/pb4book.pdf>.
Climate Change and Biodiversity. IPCC. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Apr. 2002. Web. 23 Feb. 2010.
<http://www.coastman.net.co/publicaciones/cc/(0065).pdf>.
"Current State and Trends Assesment." Millenium Ecosystem Assessment. Millenium Ecosystem Assessment, 2005. Web. 23 Feb. 2010.
<http://www.millenniumassessment.org/en/ Condition.aspx>.
Dunn, Collin. "Reduce Your Carbon Footprint In Half in 3 Steps." Planet Green. N.p., 8 July 2009. Web. 23 Feb. 2010.
<http://planetgreen.discovery.com/home-garden/ reduce-carbon-footprint-threesteps.html>.
"Ecosystems and Biodiversity: Animals." Climate Change - Health and Environmental Effects. Unites States Environmental Protection
Agency, 15 Oct. 2009. Web. 23 Feb. 2010. <http://www.epa.gov/ climatechange/effects/eco_animals.html>.
"IPCC Reports." IPCC. International Governmental Panel on Climate Change, n.d. Web. 23 Feb. 2010.
<http://www.ipcc.ch/ipccreports/ar4-wg2.htm>.
"Polar Bears at Risk." World Wildlife Fund. World Wildlife Fund, May 2002. Web. 23 Feb. 2010.
<http://www.worldwildlife.org/climate/Publications/WWFBinaryitem4927.pdf>.
"Population Growth Over Human History." Global Change. University of Michigan, n.d. Web. 23 Feb. 2010.
<http://www.globalchange.umich.edu/globalchange2/current/lectures/human_pop/ human_pop.html>.
"Species Reports." Environmental Conservation Online System. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services, 23 Feb. 2010. Web. 23 Feb. 2010. <
http://ecos.fws.gov/tess_public/>.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/biodiversity
Pictures:
http://www.whyy.org/cms/radiotimes/files/2009/12/polar-bear1.jpg
http://pioneermindset.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/creek-crossing-bengal-tiger.jpg
http://aylluinitiative.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/world-population-growth-to-20501.jpg