Transcript Biodiversity of Life

Biodiversity of Life
Chapter 6
What is Biodiversity?
The variety of life
in a given
location.
The best
biodiversity is
found: near the
equator
Hotspots for Biodiversity…
Tropical
rain forests
Coral Reefs
Tropical
lakes
Why is Biodiversity so Important?
1. Life depends on life.
2. Animals could not exist without
plants to eat.
3. Many plants could not exist
w/out animals to pollinate for
them and carry their seeds.
What about on Islands?
The larger
the island,
the greater
the diversity
of life will
be found
there.
Who cares?!?
The number of species in an
ecosystem are comparable to the
rivets in an airplane. If 1 or 2 fall out,
no big deal. BUT, if they keep falling
out, eventually, the plane (i.e. the
ecosystem) will fall apart (die out).
Loss of Biodiversity…
Extinction- A
permanent
disappearance
of a species
because the
last one dies
out.
Loss of Biodiversity…
Threatened
Species- When
the population of
an organism is
declining rapidly.
Loss of Biodiversity…
Endangered
speciesWhen the
number of
organisms
becomes so
low that
extinction is
possible.
What Threatens Biodiversity?
Habitat LossWhen an
organism’s
habitat is
destroyed.
Largest threat to
biodiversity
What Threatens Biodiversity?
Habitat
fragmentation Separation from
one wilderness
area to another
Causes problems
for migrating
animals and those
that gather food.
What Threatens Biodiversity?
Habitat
Degradation –
Damage to a
habitat by
pollution of air,
land, and/or
water.
Habitat Degradation…
Acid Rain/ Fog/
SmogDeteriorates
forests and lakes
by removing K
from the soil and
lowering the pH
of water sheds
Habitat Degradation…
Water PollutionAbandoned nets,
chemicals clog fish
gills, detergents
can cause sickness
and death
Habitat Degradation…
Land pollutionThe average
American
produces 1.8 kg
of solid waste
every day (657
kg/year * 7
billion)
Conservation Biology
Most extinction is caused by …
PEOPLE, US, YOU, ME
Conservation studies methods
and implements plans to protect
biodiversity.
Legal Protection of Biodiversity
In 1973, Richard Nixon passed
the U.S. Endangered Species Act
It illegalized the killing or harming
of any endangered organisms.
It protected at the time: bald
eagles, American alligators,
brown pelican
Habitat Preservation
Sustainable UseA way of living so
that people learn to
use the
environment in a
way that does not
damage an
ecosystem.
Habitat Preservation
Habitat
corridorsNatural strips that
allow the
migration of
organisms from
one area to
another.
Habitat Preservation
Reintroductio
n programsReleasing of
organisms into
an area where
their species
once lived.