Biodiversity, Conservation, Biodiversity, Conservation, and Human Impact on the and Human Impact on the

EnvironmentEnvironment

Biodiversity defined…Biodiversity defined…

• DEF: the variety of life in an DEF: the variety of life in an area.area.

• The greater the variety of The greater the variety of species within it, the more species within it, the more robust an ecosystem will be.robust an ecosystem will be.

Figure 50.25a Tropical forestsFigure 50.25a Tropical forests

Figure 50.25c DesertsFigure 50.25c Deserts

Importance of BiodiversityImportance of Biodiversity

• BeautyBeauty – aesthetic standpoint– aesthetic standpoint

• NatureNature – – Orgs are adapted to live together in communities; Orgs are adapted to live together in communities;

not always clear how orgs are related, so taking away not always clear how orgs are related, so taking away one species can have a BROAD RANGE OF EFFECTS.one species can have a BROAD RANGE OF EFFECTS.

The variety of lifeforms on Earth, all inter-connected to The variety of lifeforms on Earth, all inter-connected to each other through each other through food websfood webs, makes our survival possible -- , makes our survival possible -- autotrophs, heterotrophs, decomposers all need one anotherautotrophs, heterotrophs, decomposers all need one another

Biodiversity provides crucial "Biodiversity provides crucial "ecosystem ecosystem servicesservices"— Ex. clean water, breathable atmosphere, and "— Ex. clean water, breathable atmosphere, and natural climate control, upon which all species depend.natural climate control, upon which all species depend.

• The extermination of plant populations The extermination of plant populations changes climates locally and has changes climates locally and has severe regional effects through severe regional effects through disturbance of the water cycle.disturbance of the water cycle.

(Remember – (Remember – transpirationtranspiration releases 90% of all water taken in by a releases 90% of all water taken in by a plant, and the water has been filtered plant, and the water has been filtered as it passes through the plant itself…)as it passes through the plant itself…)

• Destruction of habitat severely limits Destruction of habitat severely limits the animal populations that can live the animal populations that can live in an area. in an area. (Threatened, (Threatened, Endangered, Extinction of Endangered, Extinction of species)species)

Figure 55.2 A hundred heartbeats from extinction: Philippine eagle (left), Chinese Figure 55.2 A hundred heartbeats from extinction: Philippine eagle (left), Chinese river dolphin (right)river dolphin (right)

PeoplePeople – – Food, medicine, clothing and shelter are Food, medicine, clothing and shelter are

all derived from the abundant organic resources of all derived from the abundant organic resources of the Earth. the Earth.

Ex. Beef, chicken, pork, fish, shellfishEx. Beef, chicken, pork, fish, shellfish

Ex. Penicillin came from moldEx. Penicillin came from mold

Ex. Quinine (malaria treatment) came Ex. Quinine (malaria treatment) came from bark of cinchona treefrom bark of cinchona tree

Ex. Cotton from plant, wool from Ex. Cotton from plant, wool from sheep, silk sheep, silk from wormsfrom worms

Ex. Wood from treesEx. Wood from trees

Threats to BiodiversityThreats to Biodiversity

• Habitat lossHabitat loss

• Habitat Fragmentation (Biotic and Habitat Fragmentation (Biotic and Abiotic Abiotic issues)issues)

• Habitat degradation caused by Habitat degradation caused by

air pollution, water pollution, air pollution, water pollution,

land pollutionland pollution

• Introduction of Exotic SpeciesIntroduction of Exotic Species

Habitat loss…Habitat loss…

• Biggest threat to biodiversityBiggest threat to biodiversity

• When area to live is gone, orgs dieWhen area to live is gone, orgs die

Ex. deforestationEx. deforestation

Figure 55.0 Deforestation of tropical forestsFigure 55.0 Deforestation of tropical forests

Figure 55.00x Deforestation in the United StatesFigure 55.00x Deforestation in the United States

Habitat FragmentationHabitat Fragmentation

• Separation of wilderness areas from Separation of wilderness areas from other wilderness areasother wilderness areas

• Fragmented areas are like islands; Fragmented areas are like islands; the smaller the fragment, the less the smaller the fragment, the less biodiversity it will supportbiodiversity it will support

Figure 55.5 Fragmentation of a forest ecosystemFigure 55.5 Fragmentation of a forest ecosystem

Figure 55.6 The history of habitat reduction and fragmentation in a Wisconsin forestFigure 55.6 The history of habitat reduction and fragmentation in a Wisconsin forest

Biotic and Abiotic Issues of Biotic and Abiotic Issues of FragmentationFragmentation

Biotic:Biotic:

-some organisms need -some organisms need large areas to gather large areas to gather foodfood

Ex. LionsEx. Lions

Ex. ZebraEx. Zebra

-no migratory routes to re--no migratory routes to re-establish populations establish populations lost due to natural lost due to natural disastersdisasters

Abiotic:Abiotic:

-climate can change-climate can change

-can cause EDGE EFFECT-can cause EDGE EFFECT

(different conditions (different conditions along the boundaries along the boundaries of an ecosystem)of an ecosystem)

Habitat DegradationHabitat Degradation

• Damage to habitat by pollutionDamage to habitat by pollution

• Three types of pollution: air, water, Three types of pollution: air, water, landland

Air pollutionAir pollution

• breathing problemsbreathing problems

• irritation of membranesirritation of membranes

• Burning of fossil fuels is biggest sourceBurning of fossil fuels is biggest source

• Ozone layerOzone layer is being broken down by is being broken down by CFC’s (carbofluorocarbons) – found in CFC’s (carbofluorocarbons) – found in refrigerators and air conditioners as refrigerators and air conditioners as coolants; coolants; this allows radiation to reach this allows radiation to reach earth, causing genetic defects and earth, causing genetic defects and cancercancer

Figure 54.27a Erosion of Earth’s ozone shield: The ozone hole over the AntarcticFigure 54.27a Erosion of Earth’s ozone shield: The ozone hole over the Antarctic

Water PollutionWater Pollution• Degrades aquatic habitats in streams, lakes, and Degrades aquatic habitats in streams, lakes, and

oceansoceans• Excess fertilizers and animal waste get into streams Excess fertilizers and animal waste get into streams

and cause algal bloomsand cause algal blooms• Coral reefs are destroyed when silt covers the living Coral reefs are destroyed when silt covers the living

coral and they can’t photosynthesize or get to foodcoral and they can’t photosynthesize or get to food• Detergents, heavy metals, and industrial chemicals Detergents, heavy metals, and industrial chemicals

in runoff cause sickness and death in aquatic orgsin runoff cause sickness and death in aquatic orgs• Abandoned drift nets trap dolphins, whales, fish, sea Abandoned drift nets trap dolphins, whales, fish, sea

turtlesturtles• Acid precipitationAcid precipitation is responsible for deterioration is responsible for deterioration

of forests and lakes, also damages plant tissues and of forests and lakes, also damages plant tissues and interferes with plant growth. interferes with plant growth. (sulfur dioxide from coal-burning factories and (sulfur dioxide from coal-burning factories and nitrogen oxides from exhausts combine with water nitrogen oxides from exhausts combine with water vapor to form acid droplets of water vapor)vapor to form acid droplets of water vapor)

• Use of pesticides such as DDT – gets into waterUse of pesticides such as DDT – gets into water

Figure 54.25 Biological magnification of DDT in a food chainFigure 54.25 Biological magnification of DDT in a food chain

Figure 50.3 Rachel CarsonFigure 50.3 Rachel Carson

Silent Spring

"The more clearly we can focus our attention on the wonders and realities of the universe about us,the less taste we shall have for destruction."

-- Rachel Carson © 1954

Biologist, Writer, Ecologist

Land PollutionLand Pollution

• Trash – solid wasteTrash – solid waste

• Made up of cans, bottles, paper, Made up of cans, bottles, paper, plastic, metals, dirt, spoiled food, etc.plastic, metals, dirt, spoiled food, etc.

• Average American produces 1.8 kg of Average American produces 1.8 kg of waste dailywaste daily

• Landfills take up spaceLandfills take up space

Introduction of Exotic Introduction of Exotic SpeciesSpecies• New orgs introduced into an New orgs introduced into an

ecosystem; do not have any natural ecosystem; do not have any natural predators and is little competition with predators and is little competition with other orgs, so native species are at riskother orgs, so native species are at risk

• Exotics may take over niches of native Exotics may take over niches of native species and eventually replace the species and eventually replace the native species completelynative species completely

Greenhouse Effect and Global Greenhouse Effect and Global WarmingWarming

• In 1996, the United States was responsible In 1996, the United States was responsible for 23% of the world’s carbon dioxide for 23% of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions -- more than any other country.emissions -- more than any other country.

• Carbon dioxide is the primary greenhouse Carbon dioxide is the primary greenhouse gas, responsible for 60 % of global warming gas, responsible for 60 % of global warming

• http://www.epa.gov/globalwarming/kids/greenhouse.htmlgreenhouse.html

Extinction RatesExtinction Rates• Extinction has usually progressed at what scientists Extinction has usually progressed at what scientists

call a natural or background rate. Today the tempo is call a natural or background rate. Today the tempo is far far fasterfaster. .

• Many scientists believe this is the sixth great wave - Many scientists believe this is the sixth great wave - the sixth mass extinction to affect life on Earth. the sixth mass extinction to affect life on Earth.

• We (humans) have more than doubled our numbers in We (humans) have more than doubled our numbers in half a century, and that is the most obvious reason half a century, and that is the most obvious reason why there is less room for any other species. why there is less room for any other species.

We are taking their living room to grow our food, We are taking their living room to grow our food, their food to feed ourselves. their food to feed ourselves.

We are exploiting them, trading in them, We are exploiting them, trading in them, squeezing them to the margins of existence - and squeezing them to the margins of existence - and beyond. beyond.

•

Conservation efforts:Conservation efforts:

• Conservation BiologyConservation Biology: studies : studies methods and implements plans methods and implements plans to protect biodiversityto protect biodiversity

*legal protection of species*legal protection of species*habitat preservation*habitat preservation

(sustainable use, (sustainable use, habitat corridors)habitat corridors)

*reintroduction programs*reintroduction programs

How can we prevent biodiversity How can we prevent biodiversity loss?loss?

•Research Research

•Legislation Legislation

•Education/Awareness Education/Awareness

•Sustainable use of Sustainable use of habitats and fisheries habitats and fisheries

•Integration/Co-ordinationIntegration/Co-ordination

What can you do?What can you do?

Be aware…Be aware…

• Reuse and recycleReuse and recycle

• Turn off water and lightsTurn off water and lights

• CarpoolCarpool

• Vote responsiblyVote responsibly

• VolunteerVolunteer

• Be the teacher!Be the teacher!