Transcript Biodiversity

Bio-diversity
• Bio refers to things
that are living.
• Diversity refers to
variety.
• Biodiversity refers to
the variety of life in an
ecosystem
Which of these would have
greater biodiversity?
Biodiversity By Location
• The closer a location is to the equator, the
greater the biodiversity.
Q:Why?
• A: Because the higher the temperature,
the faster chemical reactions occur.
Therefore, the more life there will be.
• Tropical regions contain 2/3 (66 %) of all
of Earth’s land species.
How Does Biodiversity
Affect You?
• Variety in our diets help to keep us healthy.
• Biodiversity helps to improve food crops.
• Biodiversity provides many useful materials
such as building supplies, fibers (cotton,
wool), and medicines. In fact, most
medicines used today originally came from
wild plants. Can you think of any?
Biodiversity = Variety
Medicinal Plants
What reduces
biodiversity?
• The number one
cause of biodiversity
reduction is
extinction.
• An extinct species is
one that was once
living on Earth but
has died out.
• Can you name one
extinct organism?
Contributing Factors to Biodiversity
Loss
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Loss of species.
Loss of habitat.
Divided habitats.
Introduced species.
Pollution of land, air,
and soil.
• Global warming.
• Ozone depletion.
Human Effects on Biodiversity
• From 1980-2000, close to 40 species of
plants and animals disappeared forever.
• It’s projected that 25% of species on Earth
today will be extinct by 2050 mainly
because of human activity.
Endangered Species
• A species in danger of
becoming extinct is
classified as
endangered.
• This is intended to
provide protection
from extinction.
• Does it work?
Threatened Species
• If a species is likely
to become
endangered in the
near future, it is
classified as
threatened.
• This is intended to
protect habitat as
well as the organism
itself.
Threatened and Endangered Species in
Alabama
Habitat Loss
• One of the main reasons that organisms
become threatened, endangered, or extinct.
• When forests are clear cut, many organisms
lose their home/hunting grounds.
• When waters are polluted, aquatic
organisms lose their home/hunting grounds.
• When habitats are divided, large predators
lose their hunting grounds often leading to
attacks on humans.
Habitat Loss
• In many parts of the
world it’s common
practice to cut down
forests without any
regard for the animals
living there.
• Habitat loss = DEATH
Division of Habitat
• When a forest, lake, or
large preserve has a
road, damn, or
settlement built across
a plant or animal’s
territory the animals
lose part of their
habitat.
Introduced Species
• Species from another part
of the world that are
brought into an ecosystem
by human actions.
• They have no competitors
or predators in the new
area, so their populations
grow rapidly.
• They can crowd out or
consume native species.
Other Introduced Species…
Pollution
• Land, water, and air pollution affect
biodiversity.
• Soil contaminated with oil, chemicals, or
other pollutants can harm plants and limit
growth.
• Any reduction in plant growth can limit
biodiversity because of lost habitat, food
sources.
Water Pollution
• Aquatic organisms are
extra sensitive to
pollutants.
• Pollutants come from
factories, ships, or
runoff from farms,
golf courses, lawns,
and parking lots.
Air Pollution
• Pollution from cars and factories can damage and
weaken trees thus destroying the habitats of many
animals.
Global Warming
• CO2 gas is released
when fuels are burned.
• CO2 absorbs heat,
raising temperatures.
• Polar ice caps can
melt, raising sea level
and flooding coastal
areas.
Ozone Depletion
• Ozone (O3) layer is about
15-30 km above the Earth.
• Caused by
choloroflourocarbons
(CFCs) from burning
fossil fuels; aerosols.
• Ozone layer absorbs UV
rays from the sun; UV
harms organisms on Earth,
especially us, resulting in
an increase of skin cancer
cases.
Summary
• Biodiversity is the number of species present in
an ecosystem.
• Biodiversity is greater in warm, moist climates
than in cold, dry climates.
• Extinction occurs when the last member of a
species dies.
• Habitat loss, pollution, overhunting, and
introduced species can cause a species to
become threatened or endangered.
• You are the future stewards of this planet.
What are YOU going to do to save it?