Transcript What makes your garden grow? - Life Sciences Outreach Program

Summer 2010 Workshop
in Biology and
Multimedia
for High School Teachers
BIODIVERSITY
An introduction to biodiversity.
Contents
 Overview of Biodiversity
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Definition
How to measure
Importance
Factors affecting it
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Promoting
Threats
o Conserving Biodiversity
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Fungi_of_Saskatchewan.JPG
Harvard University Life Sciences - HHMI Outreach Summer 2010 Workshop for Biology Teachers
Biodiversity
 Definitions
o Basic:
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Variation of life in an area
o Global: from the UN Convention on
Biological Diversity
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“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.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Blue_Linckia_Starfish.JPG
Harvard University Life Sciences - HHMI Outreach Summer 2010 Workshop for Biology Teachers
Biodiversity
 Definitions
o Let’s make our own definition:
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The variation of living things either
within a population, between
populations or within an
ecosystem(s).
o Biodiversity takes into account the
variation of
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Forest_fruits_from_Barro_Colorado.png
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Species diversity
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Ecosystem diversity
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Genetic diversity
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Molecular diversity
Harvard University Life Sciences - HHMI Outreach Summer 2010 Workshop for Biology Teachers
Measurement
 Any measurement of biodiversity needs to take into
account:
o Species Richness
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The number of species in a given area
o Species Evenness
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The amount of individuals within each of those species
 A high biodiversity measurement = Good
Ecosystem health
Harvard University Life Sciences - HHMI Outreach Summer 2010 Workshop for Biology Teachers
Measurement Example
 Simpson Index
o Simple Index to use
o Compares the # of species of a population to the total
populations
Diversity=
(number of one species/total number of species)2
OR
D=(n/N)2
Harvard University Life Sciences - HHMI Outreach Summer 2010 Workshop for Biology Teachers
Importance-Ecological
 A healthy ecosystem:
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Recycles nutrients
Purifies water
Habitat for organisms
Recover and withstands disasters
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From disease or climate
Harvard University Life Sciences - HHMI Outreach Summer 2010 Workshop for Biology Teachers
Importance-Humans
 A healthy ecosystem provides:
o Agriculture
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A greater variety of crops allow for a
system-wide recovery when attacked and
help to slow the spread of pathogens
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Julieagroecosystem.jpg
oMedicine
•50%of drugs in the US are
derived from biological resources
•80% of medicine worldwide is
from biological sources
Rosy Periwinkle
Fights Cancer
From:Chivian E. & Bernstein A. (eds), 2008.
Sustaining Life: How Human Health Depends on Biodiversity
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Rosy_periwinkle.jpg
Harvard University Life Sciences - HHMI Outreach Summer 2010 Workshop for Biology Teachers
Importance-Humans
 A healthy ecosystem
provides:
o Industry
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Building materials
Fibers
Oils
Dyes
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Karachi_-_Pakistan-market.jpg
o Leisure
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Outdoor activities
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:River_Teign,_kayaker_in_the_distance.jpg
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Skovarbejder.jpg
Harvard University Life Sciences - HHMI Outreach Summer 2010 Workshop for Biology Teachers
Biodiversity Distribution
Softleaf Indian Paintbrush
 Biodiversity depends on:
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Climate
Altitude
Soil
Other species
The Chocolate Lily is endemic to California
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Castillejamollis.JPG
Biodiversity Hot Spots
oTropical Forest
oHigh level of endemic species
oSpecialized habitats
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fritillaria_biflora2353293201.jpg
Harvard University Life Sciences - HHMI Outreach Summer 2010 Workshop for Biology Teachers
Biodiversity Distribution
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Biodiversity_Hotspots.svg
Myers, N., et al. (2000) "Biodiversity hotspots for conservation priorities." Nature 403:853–858
Species numbers
Olm
 1.9 million species found to date
 Difficult to measure total numbers of
species because:
o Only know a portion already
o Little understanding of our world
o Wiping out species at an
unprecedented rate
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:P_anguinus-head.jpg
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2005/sep/25/taxonomy.conservationanden
dangeredspecies
o Extinct species not found
o Habitats not accessible
Cave Bacteria
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Snottite.jpg
Harvard University Life Sciences - HHMI Outreach Summer 2010 Workshop for Biology Teachers
Current species discovered vs. those yet to be discovered
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Undiscovered_species_chart.png
http://www.lemonde.fr/archives/article/2006/06/27/protection-de-la-biodiversite-un-inventaire-difficile_788741_0.htm
Harvard University Life Sciences - HHMI Outreach Summer 2010 Workshop for Biology Teachers
Threats
 Means of decreasing biodiversity
 Major threats are:
o Habitat destruction
o Invasive species
o Pollution
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Environment
Genetic
o Overuse of natural resources
o Climate change
Harvard University Life Sciences - HHMI Outreach Summer 2010 Workshop for Biology Teachers
Loss of biodiversity
Great Aletsch Glacier in Switzerland showing a retreat of the ice
1979
1991
2002
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Gletscherschmelze.jpg
Harvard University Life Sciences - HHMI Outreach Summer 2010 Workshop for Biology Teachers
Loss of biodiversity
Old Growth
Second Growth
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Old_Growth_vs_Second_Growth.jpg
Harvard University Life Sciences - HHMI Outreach Summer 2010 Workshop for Biology Teachers
Loss of biodiversity
Golden Toad
Pyrenean Ibex
Extinct 1989
Extinct 2000
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bufo_periglenes1.jpg
Baiji Dolphin
Extinct 2006
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Spanish_ibex.jpg
http://species.wikimedia.org/wiki/Lipotes_vexillifer
Harvard University Life Sciences - HHMI Outreach Summer 2010 Workshop for Biology Teachers
Conservation
Ideas to save biodiversity
What’s your plan?
Harvard University Life Sciences - HHMI Outreach Summer 2010 Workshop for Biology Teachers