What is Biodiversity? What is Biodiversity? Why is it important? Why is it important?

Mrs. NeistadtMrs. Neistadt

A B

Which do you like better?Which do you like better?

A B

Which do you like better?Which do you like better?

What do you think biodiversity What do you think biodiversity means?means?

Bio =

BioBiodiversitydiversity

What does “Bio” mean?

BioBiodiversitydiversity

Diversity = Variety

What does “Diversity” mean?

*Biodiversity*Biodiversity is the variety of life in an is the variety of life in an area that is determined by the number area that is determined by the number of different species in that area.of different species in that area.

*Biodiversity increases the stability of *Biodiversity increases the stability of an ecosystem and contributes to the an ecosystem and contributes to the health of the biosphere.health of the biosphere.

*There are 3 components of *There are 3 components of biodiversity: biodiversity:

1.1. *Genetic Diversity*Genetic Diversity- the variety of genes or - the variety of genes or inheritable characteristics present in a inheritable characteristics present in a populationpopulationChihuahuas, beagles, and Rottweiler's are all dogs—but they're Chihuahuas, beagles, and Rottweiler's are all dogs—but they're

not the same because their genes are different.not the same because their genes are different.

ChihuahuaChihuahua BeagleBeagle

RottweilersRottweilers

Genetic DiversityGenetic Diversity

2. *2. *Species DiversitySpecies Diversity- the number of - the number of different species and the relative different species and the relative abundance of each species in a abundance of each species in a biological community.biological community.

For example, monkeys, dragonflies, and meadow For example, monkeys, dragonflies, and meadow beauties are all different species in the same community.beauties are all different species in the same community.

Saki Monkey Golden Skimmer Meadow Beauty

Species DiversitySpecies Diversity

3. *3. *Ecosystem DiversityEcosystem Diversity- the variety of - the variety of ecosystems that are present in the biosphere.ecosystems that are present in the biosphere.

Prairies, Ponds, and tropical rain forests are all ecosystems. Prairies, Ponds, and tropical rain forests are all ecosystems. Each one is different, with its own set of species living in it.Each one is different, with its own set of species living in it.

Paines Prairie

Hoh Rain Forest

Florida Sand hill Pond

Ecosystem DiversityEcosystem Diversity

Which is more diverse?Which is more diverse?

A B

Which is more diverse?Which is more diverse?

A B

Which is more diverse?Which is more diverse?

A B

A B

Which is more diverse?Which is more diverse?

Which has more biodiversity?Which has more biodiversity?

A B

Which has more biodiversity?Which has more biodiversity?

A B

The Importance of Biodiversity*Aesthetic and Scientific Value: The value of beauty and scientific discovery cannot be measured, but are extremely important to life on Earth.

*Direct Economic Value: Maintaining biodiversity has a direct economic value to humans. Humans depend on plants and animals for food, clothing, energy, medicine and shelter.

The Importance of Biodiversity*Indirect Economic Value: a healthy biosphere provides many services to humans and other organisms that live on Earth.

Examples: •Green plants provide oxygen•Water cycle provides clean water

The Importance of BiodiversityYour Turn:Think of an environment you have been to, or live in. What different species of plants and animals have you seen? How do they depend on each other? What are some examples of genetic diversity and species diversity in that environment? Write a paragraph that answers these questions.

Should we be concerned about Should we be concerned about biodiversity?biodiversity?

What we know:What we know: The Earth is losing species at an alarming rateThe Earth is losing species at an alarming rate

In the past 500 years, we know of approximately 1,000 species that have gone extinct 

*Threats to biodiversity*Threats to biodiversity

*Overexploitation*Overexploitation

*Habitat Loss*Habitat Loss

*Habitat Fragmentation*Habitat Fragmentation

*Pollution*Pollution

*Introduced Species*Introduced Species

*Global Climate Change*Global Climate Change

Extinct SpeciesExtinct Species

Extinct speciesExtinct species- - are plants or animals that once are plants or animals that once lived on Earth that have completely lived on Earth that have completely disappeared. disappeared.

The dodo (Raphus cucullatus) was a flightless bird endemic to the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius. It stood about a metre (3.3 feet) tall, weighing about 20 kilograms (44 lb).The dodo was first mentioned by Dutch sailors in 1598. By 1681, all dodos had been killed by hungry sailors or their domesticated animals.The extinction of the bird, within 80 years of its discovery, made people realise for the first time that humans could induce the extinction of plants and animals.--- …http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dodo

Endangered SpeciesEndangered Species

An Endangered Species- An Endangered Species- is a plant or animal is a plant or animal that is in danger of becoming extinct.that is in danger of becoming extinct.

http://www.fws.gov/endangered/http://www.fws.gov/endangered/

List of endangered speciesList of endangered species A Threatened Species- plants or animals that A Threatened Species- plants or animals that

may become endangered in the near futuremay become endangered in the near future