Biological DiversityBiological Diversity
BiodiversityBiodiversity
The variety of species in a specific area.The variety of species in a specific area. Easily measured by counting the number of Easily measured by counting the number of
species living in an area.species living in an area.
Increases closer to the equator.Increases closer to the equator.
Why is biodiversity Why is biodiversity important?important? Organisms are interdependent.Organisms are interdependent.
Populations have adapted to live together Populations have adapted to live together in communities.in communities.
Brings stability to ecosystems.Brings stability to ecosystems. Humans depend on other species for Humans depend on other species for
food, respiration, medicine, and raw food, respiration, medicine, and raw materials.materials.
ExtinctionExtinction The disappearance of a species when The disappearance of a species when
the last of its members dies.the last of its members dies. Natural process, resulting in both mass Natural process, resulting in both mass
extinction and background extinction extinction and background extinction (Loss of one species per million species (Loss of one species per million species per year).per year). The current rate of extinction is much higher The current rate of extinction is much higher
than this.than this.
Endangered SpeciesEndangered Species
A species is considered to be A species is considered to be endangered when its numbers become endangered when its numbers become so low that extinction is possible.so low that extinction is possible.
Threatened SpeciesThreatened Species
The population of a species is said to be The population of a species is said to be threatened when it is likely to become threatened when it is likely to become endangered.endangered.
Exotic SpeciesExotic Species New species introduced into an ecosystem, New species introduced into an ecosystem,
either intentionally or unintentionally.either intentionally or unintentionally. When introduced, exotic species are not as When introduced, exotic species are not as
vulnerable to competition and predation as vulnerable to competition and predation as other species and can grow at a very quick other species and can grow at a very quick rate.rate.
Exotic species often severely decrease the Exotic species often severely decrease the population size of species already present.population size of species already present.
Habitat LossHabitat Loss
One of the biggest reasons for decline in One of the biggest reasons for decline in biodiversity.biodiversity. Examples: Rainforests and Coral ReefsExamples: Rainforests and Coral Reefs
Habitat FragmentationHabitat Fragmentation Separation of wilderness areas form other Separation of wilderness areas form other
wilderness areas.wilderness areas. Contributes to:Contributes to:
Increased extinction of local species.Increased extinction of local species. Disruption of ecological processes.Disruption of ecological processes. Increased risk of fire.Increased risk of fire. Changes in local climate.Changes in local climate. New opportunities for invasions by introduced or New opportunities for invasions by introduced or
exotic species.exotic species.
Habitat FragmentationHabitat Fragmentation
The smaller the fragment is the less The smaller the fragment is the less biodiversity it has.biodiversity it has.
Geographic isolation can lead to genetic Geographic isolation can lead to genetic isolation.isolation.
Edge EffectEdge Effect
The edge of a habitat or ecosystem is The edge of a habitat or ecosystem is where one habitat or ecosystem meets where one habitat or ecosystem meets another.another.
The differing conditions which exists The differing conditions which exists along the boundaries of a habitat or along the boundaries of a habitat or ecosystem are called edge effects.ecosystem are called edge effects.
Edge EffectEdge Effect Edges tend to have greater biodiversity Edges tend to have greater biodiversity
because different habitats with different because different habitats with different species are brought together, along with species are brought together, along with two different sets of abiotic factors.two different sets of abiotic factors.
When an edge changes, animals might When an edge changes, animals might migrate from their current area to the new migrate from their current area to the new edge, bringing different species into edge, bringing different species into contact with one another.contact with one another.
Habitat DegradationHabitat Degradation
The damage of a habitat by pollution.The damage of a habitat by pollution. Three types of pollution:Three types of pollution:
AirAir WaterWater LandLand
Air PollutionAir Pollution
Pollutants can enter the atmosphere in Pollutants can enter the atmosphere in many ways, including volcanic eruptions, many ways, including volcanic eruptions, forest fires, and burning fossil fuels.forest fires, and burning fossil fuels.
Air PollutionAir Pollution
Acid PrecipitationAcid Precipitation Rain, snow, sleet, and fog with low pH values.Rain, snow, sleet, and fog with low pH values. Has been linked to the deterioration of some Has been linked to the deterioration of some
forests and lakes.forests and lakes.
Air PollutionAir Pollution Acid PrecipitationAcid Precipitation
Sulfur dioxide from coal burning and nitrogen oxides Sulfur dioxide from coal burning and nitrogen oxides from auto exhaust combine with the water vapor in from auto exhaust combine with the water vapor in the air to form acidic droplets of water vapor.the air to form acidic droplets of water vapor.
This precipitation leaches calcium, potassium, and This precipitation leaches calcium, potassium, and other nutrients form the soil leading to the damage other nutrients form the soil leading to the damage and death of plants and trees.and death of plants and trees.
When added to the water cycle, acid rain also When added to the water cycle, acid rain also degrades lake ecosystems.degrades lake ecosystems.
Air PollutionAir Pollution OzoneOzone
Compound consisting of three oxygen Compound consisting of three oxygen atoms.atoms.
Found in the atmosphere between 15 and Found in the atmosphere between 15 and 35 km altitude.35 km altitude.
This layer of ozone absorbs ultraviolet This layer of ozone absorbs ultraviolet waves from the sun, reducing the amount of waves from the sun, reducing the amount of radiation received by organisms on the radiation received by organisms on the surface.surface.
Air PollutionAir Pollution OzoneOzone
The Antarctic ozone hole is a reduction of up The Antarctic ozone hole is a reduction of up to 60% in the ozone layer over some parts of to 60% in the ozone layer over some parts of Antarctica during the spring. (The ozone Antarctica during the spring. (The ozone then increases over the summer.)then increases over the summer.)
This hole is caused by human-produced This hole is caused by human-produced chemicals, such as chlorofluorocarbons.chemicals, such as chlorofluorocarbons.
Smaller, seasonal reductions are seen over Smaller, seasonal reductions are seen over the Artic.the Artic.
Water PollutionWater Pollution Degrades aquatic habitats in streams, Degrades aquatic habitats in streams,
rivers, lakes, and oceans.rivers, lakes, and oceans. Examples:Examples:
Excess fertilizers and animal wastes can be Excess fertilizers and animal wastes can be carried to waterways by rain. The increase carried to waterways by rain. The increase in nutrients cause algal blooms (excessive in nutrients cause algal blooms (excessive growth of algae). As the algae die, they sink growth of algae). As the algae die, they sink and decay, removing needed oxygen form and decay, removing needed oxygen form the water.the water.
Water PollutionWater Pollution
Examples:Examples: Silt from eroded soils can clog the gills of Silt from eroded soils can clog the gills of
fish.fish. Detergents, heavy metals, and industrial Detergents, heavy metals, and industrial
chemicals can cause death in aquatic chemicals can cause death in aquatic organisms.organisms.
Land PollutionLand Pollution Examples:Examples:
The average American produces 1.8 kg of The average American produces 1.8 kg of waste daily. Although some of this waste waste daily. Although some of this waste may decompose quickly, most trash may decompose quickly, most trash becomes buried in landfills. Strict controls becomes buried in landfills. Strict controls on landfills are designed to lessen on landfills are designed to lessen contamination of groundwater.contamination of groundwater.
Use of chemicals, such as DDT can both Use of chemicals, such as DDT can both harm organisms and lead to habitat harm organisms and lead to habitat degradation.degradation.
Natural ResourcesNatural Resources
Parts of the environment that are useful Parts of the environment that are useful or necessary for living organisms.or necessary for living organisms. Include sunlight, water, air, and plant or Include sunlight, water, air, and plant or
animal resources.animal resources.
Conservation BiologyConservation Biology
Study and implementation of methods to Study and implementation of methods to protect biodiversity.protect biodiversity. Based on principles of ecology.Based on principles of ecology.
U.S. Endangered Species U.S. Endangered Species ActAct
Became law in 1973.Became law in 1973. Illegal to harm any species on the Illegal to harm any species on the
endangered or threatened species list.endangered or threatened species list. Illegal for federal agencies to fund any Illegal for federal agencies to fund any
project that would harm any organisms project that would harm any organisms on these lists.on these lists. This includes changing an ecosystem where This includes changing an ecosystem where
endangered or threatened species live.endangered or threatened species live.
Convention on International Convention on International Trade in Endangered Trade in Endangered
Species (CITES)Species (CITES) Established lists of species for which Established lists of species for which
international trade is prohibited or international trade is prohibited or controlled.controlled.
Has been endorsed by more than 120 Has been endorsed by more than 120 countries.countries.
CaptivityCaptivity
Small numbers of organisms are Small numbers of organisms are maintained by humans.maintained by humans. Run into issues of space and money and the Run into issues of space and money and the
possibility of the loss of the ability to survive possibility of the loss of the ability to survive in the wild by the organism.in the wild by the organism.
Reintroduction ProgramsReintroduction Programs
Release of organisms into an area where Release of organisms into an area where the same species once lived.the same species once lived.
Preserving HabitatsPreserving Habitats
Creation of natural preserves and parks Creation of natural preserves and parks to protect unique environments and to protect unique environments and provide habitats for many organisms.provide habitats for many organisms. Has been an effective way to maintain high Has been an effective way to maintain high
levels of biodiversity in small areas.levels of biodiversity in small areas.
U.S. established its first national park, U.S. established its first national park, Yellowstone National Park, in 1872.Yellowstone National Park, in 1872.
Habitat CorridorsHabitat Corridors
Protected strips of land that allow the Protected strips of land that allow the migration of organisms from one small migration of organisms from one small protected area to another.protected area to another. Help avoid genetic isolation.Help avoid genetic isolation.
Sustainable UseSustainable Use
Use of natural resources in ways that will Use of natural resources in ways that will benefit humans and still maintain the benefit humans and still maintain the ecosystem.ecosystem.
