Transcript Unit 2 Chapter 5 Biological Diversity and Conservation

Unit 2
Chapter 5
Biological Diversity
and Conservation
Biodiversity
 The
variety of
species in a
specific area
 Ecosystems are
stable if their
biodiversity is
maintained
Loss of biodiversity
 Extinction
 The
disappearance
of a species
when the last of
its species dies
Loss of biodiversity
 Endangered
species
 When numbers become so low that
extinction is possible
Threats to Biodiversity
Habitat
destruction
 Loss of a habitat
that cannot be
reestablished
easily, causing
certain organisms
to become
vulnerable to
extinction

Threats to Biodiversity
 Ozone
layer
 Absorbs some of
the ultraviolet
waves, reducing
the ultraviolet
radiation reaching
Earth’s surface
Threats to Biodiversity
 Acid
 Any
Rain
precipitation
with low pH,
linked to the
destruction
of forests
& lakes
Threats to Biodiversity
 Pollution
 Degradation
of
water, land or air
environments,
due to use of
pesticides, algal
blooms, etc
Conservation Biology

The study and
implementation of
methods to protect
biodiversity
Preserving
habitats
 Ex: creation
of parks &
preserves

Zilker Park, Austin,
Conservation Biology
Natural
resources
 The parts of the
environment that
are useful and
necessary for living
organisms
 Ex: sunlight, water,
air, etc

Conservation Biology
 Sustainable

use
Enabling people to use natural resources
in ways that will benefit them and
maintain the ecosystem
Conservation Biology
Reintroduction programs
 When organisms are taken from an area
in the wild and transported to an new
suitable habitat

Reintroducing Otters into the wild
Layers of the atmosphere
Click on image to play video.