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Presented by: Cherie Forbes (MSc, Plant Conservation Unit, Botany Department, UCT) Supervisor: Lindsey Gillson, Co- supervisor: Timm Hoffman Biodiversity and Food webs

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Overview: 1.Introduction 1.1. Where are we in the HP story? 1.2. What is biodiversity? Types genes, species, ecosystems 2.Food webs 2.1. What are they? 2.2. Why are they important for biodiversity? Ecological stability 3.Biodiversity conservation 3.1. Why is biodiversity NB? 3.2. Major threats 3.3. Two methods 3.4. In S.A. and/or Kenya? 3.5. What can we do?

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1.1. Where are we in the HP story?

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1.2. What is biodiversity? bio = LIFE diversity = VARIETY Biodiversity describes the variety of life (organisms) in an area (ecological communities) and it is made up of 3 types: varieties of organisms and complex ecological relationships that give the biosphere its unique, productive characteristics 2. Species diversity 3. Ecological/ecosystem diversity 1. Genetic diversity

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Type 1: Genetic diversity - measure of the variety of different versions of the same genes within individual species e.g. domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) = 1 species but different genes = breeds/races 1.2. What is biodiversity?

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Type 1: Genetic diversity -E.g. Humans (Homo sapiens) = 1 species, different genes = different races (breeds)but 1.2. What is biodiversity?

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Component 1: Genetic diversity Chihuahua Beagle Rottweilers 1.2. What is biodiversity? VS

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Type 1: Genetic diversity -E.g. Humans (Homo sapiens) = 1 species, different genes = different races (breeds)but more numerous interbreeding and mixing through migrations, invasions or colonization 1.2. What is biodiversity?

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Type 2: Species diversity - number of different kinds of organisms within individual communities or ecosystems Black Rhino (Diceros bicornis) Golden Skimmer dragonfly (Libellula auripennis) King Protea (Protea cynaroides) 1.2. What is biodiversity?

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Type 2: Species diversity e.g. 5 rhino species About 20 000 white rhino and 5 000 black rhino left in the wild 1.2. What is biodiversity?

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Type 2: Species diversity e.g. Protea (sugar bushes) About 112 species found in Africa but mainly in South Africa where there have been about 89 species recorded. King Protea (Protea cynaroides) Clanwilliam Sugarbush (Protea glabra) Protea longifolia Long-leaf Sugarbush (Protea longifolia) 1.2. What is biodiversity?

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Type 3: Ecological diversity - assesses the richness and variety of habitats, biological communities, including the number of niches, trophic levels, and ecological processes Savannah (Kruger National Park in SA) Forest (Mau Forest in Kenya) Fresh water ecosystem (Lake Naivasha in Kenya) 1.2. What is biodiversity?

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2. Species diversity 1. Genetic diversity 3. Ecological/ecosystem diversity

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2.1. Food webs: what are they? Each link in a food chain = a trophic level Feeding of one organism upon another in a sequence of food transfers = ENERGY transfers!

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2.1. Food webs: what are they? Energy from the sun It's a full circle of life and energy!!

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Food web = a series of overlapping food chains = Feeding connections in an ecological community = BIODIVERSITY (a variety of life forms) 2.1. Food webs: what are they?

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2.2. Food webs: why important? Ecological stability Resilience describes the ability of a system/community to return to its original state after perturbation/disturbance i.e. recover quickly. Resistance describes the ability of a community to avoid displacement in the first place, i.e. to remain essentially unchanged. Relationship between food webs and stability -Increase complexity, increase resilience to change = more stable

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3.1. Biodiversity Conservation: why NB? BIODIVERSITY = all the different plants, animals and micro- organisms, their genes, and the terrestrial, marine and freshwater ecosystems Why NB: Biodiversity has intrinsic value (something that has value in and of itself) and utilitarian value (goods, services, information) = FREE services!! ECOSYSTEM SERVICES PROVISIONING SERVICES (GOODS) Food, fibre & fuel Genetic resources Biochemicals Fresh water Habitat CULTURAL SERVICES Spiritual values Knowledge systems Education & inspiration Recreation & aesthetic values SUPPORTING SERVICES Primary production Provision of habitat Nutrient cycling Soil formation/retention Production of atmospheric oxygen Water cycling REGULATING SERVICES Invasion resistance Pollination Seed dispersal Climate regulation Pest & disease regulation Natural hazard protection Erosion regulation Water purification

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3.2. Biodiversity Conservation: Threats natural wealth & valuable ESS under extreme pressure due to human demands (economic development, agriculture,urbanisation. invasive alien species, wildlife trade) placed on environment Habitat loss, fragmentation & degradation Pollution Invasive alien species Over-exploitation Global Climate Change

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Should we be concerned about biodiversity in Africa (S.A. and Kenya)? Conservation = protection, preservation, management, or restoration of wildlife and natural resources - many species and habitats which are threatened can be ensured. 2 methods: In-situ = on-site conservation natural processes, interactions conserved (E.g. National parks, Nature reserves) Ex-situ = off-site conservation artificial habitat environments (E.g. Zoos, botanical gardens, seed banks, aquariums) 3.3. Biodiversity Conservation: how?

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3.4. Should we be concerned about biodiversity in S.A. and/or Kenya? Kenyas Laikipia plateau = dry savanna (grasses on well-drained soils) Fynbos biome of CFR -plants suited to Mediterranean climate and poor soils. SA >20 300 plant species, 2 000 threatened found in fynbos

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3.5. Biodiversity Conservation: What can we do? CARE!!!! Learn about biodiversity and food issues visit biodiversity websites, ask your teachers about farming and biodiversity, explore natural and farming areas, experience biodiversity and how it is integral to your life. Share your experiences with family, friends and community members. Use less! - Demands for goods and services place pressure on the environment. Make your voice heard - draw up a petition, contact local MP, write to Department of Environment Affairs, liaise with your newspaper. Support a conservation organisation.

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Concluding remarks What you shouldve learnt today: What biodiversity is (genes/species/ecosystems), variety of life forms and ecosystems form unique food webs are important for ecological stability (resilience, resistance). There are major threats to biodiversity but there are means and ways to conserve (in/ex-situ). Biodiversity makes the world habitable

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Concluding remarks Biodiversity = NB = makes the world habitable!

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References: Steenhuisen, S. L., Raguso, R. A., and Johnson, S. D. 2012. Floral scent in bird- and beetle-pollinated Protea species (Proteaceae): Chemistry, emission rates and function. Phytochemistry 84:7887. Vallina, S.M., Le Qur, C., 2011. Stability of complex food webs: resilience, resistance and the average interaction strength. Journal of Theoretical Biology 272, 160173. http://yiewyinfei.blogspot.com/2011/11/science-year-5-unit-3-food- chain-and.html http://yiewyinfei.blogspot.com/2011/11/science-year-5-unit-3-food- chain-and.html http://www.cabap.org/featured/producers-and-consumers-herbivores- carnivores-omnivores-and-decomposers-are-related-in-food-chains http://www.cabap.org/featured/producers-and-consumers-herbivores- carnivores-omnivores-and-decomposers-are-related-in-food-chains

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Acknowledgments Applied Centre for Climate and Earth System Science (ACCESS) Supervisors: A/Prof Lindsey Gillson and Prof Timm Hoffman Carl Palmer (HPW co-ordinator) and Neville Sweijd (ACCESS Operations Manager) THANK YOU

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a)Genetic diversity is one level of organisation in biodiversity b)Biodiversity is the variety of genes, species and ecosystems c)The variety that we see in domestic dogs is due to genetic diversity d)The variety that we see in domestic dogs is due to species diversity resulting in different breeds/races Q1: Which of the following are false about biodiversity?

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a)made up of links called trophic levels. b)overlapping food chains. c)less resilient if they are complex. d) a representation of biodiversity. Q2: Food webs are not...?

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a)Biodiversity conservation can only be achieved through protection of biodiversity in national parks and nature reserves. b)The sole reason to conserve biodiversity is because it has intrinsic value. c)Major threats to biodiversity include: Habitat loss, fragmentation & degradation; Pollution; and Invasive alien species. d)An important reason to conserve biodiversity is because it provides ecosystem services essential for the habitability of this planet. Q3: Which of the following are true about biodiversity conservation?

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EXTRA SLIDES IN CASE

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How to measure biodiversity? Biodiversity is the variety of life, including variation among genes, species and functional traits. It is often measured as: richness is a measure of the number of unique life forms; evenness is a measure of the equitability among life forms; and heterogeneity is the dissimilarity among life forms. A variety of measurement objectives in order to estimate biodiversity. Usually plotted as taxonomic richness of geographic area. measure species-level biodiversity.

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Estimates of biodiversity at species level. 3 components contribute to the estimation of species- level biodiversity, namely: Alpha diversity (-diversity): mean species diversity in a habitat at a more local scale Beta diversity (-diversity): differentiation among habitats. Gamma diversity (y-diversity): total species diversity in a landscape.

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What are ecosystems? Ecosystems: An ecosystem is a dynamic complex of plant, animal and microorganism communities and non-living (abiotic) elements, all interacting as a functional unit. An ecosystem's character changes as community members and physical contexts change, sometimes crossing a threshold of tolerance within the system that results in its inability to return to its previous form. For example, severe winter temperatures regulate the survival of mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae) larvae. 15 Without this controlling mechanism, the increase in larval survival over a period of years can result in a major shift in the character of interior pine forest ecosystems. Text box 16 (p. 105) describes the impact of the current mountain pine beetle epidemic on B.C. forest ecosystems.abiotic

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Forms of Stability Resilience describes the speed with which a community returns to its former state after perturbation Resistance describes the ability of a community to avoid displacement in the first place Alternative stable states!!! once a threshold is passed