Transcript Biodiversity

Biodiversity
“At least 40% of the world’s economy and 80% of the
needs of the poor are derived from biological resources.
In addition, the richer the diversity of life, the greater the
opportunity for medical discoveries, economic
development, and adaptive responses to such new
challenges as climate change.”
What is Biodiversity?
• Short for biological diversity.
• Refers to the number and variety of
species in a given area. (think beyond just
animals!)
• Certain areas (biomes) such as tropical
rainforests have a greater variety of
species than others.
• Biodiversity takes into account diversity of
species, their genes, their populations, and
their communities.
3 Levels of Biodiversity
Species Diversity
Ecosystem Diversity
Genetic Diversity
The differences
in DNA content
among
individuals
within species
and populations.
The number and
variety of species in
the world or in a
particular area.
The number
and variety of
ecosystems or
habitats within
a given region.
ie: rainforest vs.
cornfield.
Biodiversity Distribution
• Species are NOT evenly distributed.
– Certain regions and biomes have more species than
others.
• Species diversity is dependent upon habitat diversity.
– There are more of certain types of species than others.
For example, there are more insects than any other
type of species.
• Measuring Biodiversity.
– It is challenging so scientists use tools
to estimate.
– Terry Erwin Tree Fogging Story
– Terry Erwin found 1200 species of beetle
living in19 trees of the same species.
How Many Are There?
• There are 1.7-2 million known species on
Earth…most of those species are insects.
• Scientists estimate that we actually have more
than 10 million species.
• Why don’t we know exactly?
– Unexplored areas of Earth
– Species size – the itty bitties are hard to see!
– Identification is difficult when the species are so similar.
Benefits of Biodiversity
• Biodiversity increases the stability of ecosystems.
• Biodiversity increases resilience of ecosystems
providing them with more strength to
recover/bounce back after something happens.
• Biodiversity benefits agriculture. More food = more
options for growing food and providing for our
growing population.
• Biodiversity provides an environment rich with
medicines and related products.
• Biodiversity benefits the economy by
generating money through tourism and
recreation.
Why Preserve Biodiversity?
• Ethics – Some people believe that we
should preserve species because they
have a right to exist.
• Aesthetics – Some appreciate the beauty
that certain species offer.
• Recreation –Species should be preserved
so people can see them and enjoy them.
• Practical Use – Foods, medicines, and
other useful products can be obtained
from a variety of species. Many believe
that we should preserve based on the
need for humans to use the species on
this planet to help us to survive.
The More the Merrier!
• More species and variety of species can ensure the
survival of many.
• Fewer species, fewer genes in the gene pool, and
species can fall easier to disease and other
problems.
• An incredible number of species have already
provided humans with medicines, food, clothing,
and other items. How many more are able to do
so that haven’t been discovered? Will they be lost
before we know?
Biodiversity At Risk
• Scientists are warning that we are in the midst of
a mass extinction.
• Earth has experienced 5 major extinction events.
Although the extinction event occurring now is
similar to others, it is different for 2 main reasons:
1. Humans are causing it.
2. Humans will suffer as a result of it.
• Paleontologists estimate
that roughly 99% of all
species that ever lived are
extinct.
How Do Humans Cause
Endangerment and Extinction?
• Habitat Change, Destruction, and Fragmentation
– breaking up the landscape, i.e.: rather than having one large forest,
having lots of little forests
• Invasive and Exotic Species
– Introducing species to places that they don’t belong…and then they
take over an area and kick out other species.
• Overharvesting, Hunting, Poaching
– Certain animals should not be hunted or poached like protected
gorillas in Africa, but they are…this threatens their survival as a
species.
• Pollution (Including Global Climate Change)
– Water, air, and land pollution are making it difficult for sensitive
species to survive.
What can we change? Any? All? None?
Who is Vulnerable?
• Not cockroaches or rats! But why?
– They are “generalists” – found everywhere,
reproduce very quickly.
• Who is vulnerable? What makes them
vulnerable?
– Those species that are not found
everywhere are the most vulnerable –
“specialists” that are found in very specific
places.
Critical Biodiversity Areas
• Certain areas contain a greater diversity of
species.
• Species richness increases as you move
toward the equator.
• Species diversity tends to increase as
habitat diversity within an ecosystem
increases.
• Tropical Rain Forests, Coral Reefs, Coastal
Ecosystems, and Islands.
Biodiversity Hotspots
• The most threatened areas on Earth.
• Scientists have identified 25 specific spots.
• Most have 70% of their original natural vegetation.
• Many are threatened by human activity.
• In the United States…Northern California floristic
province.
• Identifying hotspots is a way to prioritize those
areas that are critical to protect.
• A hotspot generally contains a
great number of species that are
endemic to the area, or found no
where else in the world.
Keystone Species
• Ecologists have found that in
communities some species exert
greater influence than do others.
• Keystone species: a species that
has a strong or wide reaching
impact on a community.
• If a Keystone species is removed,
the ecosystem will be altered in a
major way.
• Examples: Sea otter, wolves
Umbrella and Flagship Species
• Umbrella Species
– Siberian tigers require large habitats.
– Meeting the habitat needs of the tigers
also meets the needs of thousands of
other species found within that
ecosystem.
• Flagship Species
– The panda is considered a flagship
species.
– A flagship species is often a large,
charismatic, recognizable individual
that draws attention to a cause.
– The panda is used within the World
Wildlife Fund’s logo.
Endangered vs. Threatened
• Endangered Species – likely to become extinct if
protective measures are not taken immediately.
• Threatened Species - one that has a declining
population and is likely to become endangered if
not protected.
• Extinction – occurs when the last member of a
species dies and the species ceases to exist.
• Extirpation – disappearance of a particular
population from a given area, but not from the
entire planet.
Saving Species One At A Time
• Captive Breeding
– The process of breeding and reintroducing species
that are in danger.
– The California Condor (1996)
that
• Preserving Genetic Material
– Germplasm – any form of genetic material saved for future use.
• Zoos, Aquariums, Parks, Gardens
– Originally used to display exotic animals and now they are more like
museums used to highlight species in danger and to protect them.
• Wildlife Corridors
– Areas that connect fragmented habitats. They enable isolated
populations to breed once again.
– Panthera Foundation (tigers in Southeast Asia), Operation Big Bird
(birds in Australia)
Preserving Habitats and
Ecosystems
• Many argue that the most effective
way to protect species is to protect
their habitat.
• Current conservation strategies
focus on the entire ecosystem not a
single species.
• Protection of the Northern Spotted
Owl vs. Logging in Washington
and Oregon.
Legal Protection for Species
• 1973 – Endangered Species Act (ESA)
– Administered by USFWS and NOAA
– Designed to protect plant and animal species in danger of
extinction.
• Major Provisions of the Act
– A list must be kept
– They may not be killed, caught, uprooted, sold, or traded.
– The federal government must not carry out any project
that jeopardizes endangered species.
– The USFWS must prepare a species recovery plan for each
species listed, including habitat protection.
• Benefits and Cost of the ESA
– Success Stories: Peregrine falcon, Brown pelican, Bald
eagle
– North Americans like the ESA, but feel that it can be costly.
At one point it interfered with logging jobs in the
northwest as the act protected northern spotted owl.
International Cooperation
• IUCN – International Union for the Conservation of
Nature/Natural Resources.
– 200 government agencies and 700 private conservation organizations.
– It produces “Red Lists” including species in danger around the world.
• CITES – Convention on International Trade in Endangered
Species
– Helped stop the slaughtering of African Elephants with 1989 ban on ivor
trading.
• Biodiversity Treaty
– Took place at the 1st “Earth Summit” in Brazil.
– Goal of the treaty was to create a situation where trade and economic
agreements should take into account impacts on biodiversity.
– Led to subsequent gatherings such as Kyoto and Copenhagen.
Private Organizations
• World Wildlife Fund
– One of the largest conservation organizations working to
protect natural resources, endangered species, and
supporting sustainable practices worldwide.
• Nature Conservancy
• Conservation International
• Center for Biological Diversity