Sustainability & BiodiversitySustainability & Biodiversity

SustainabilitySustainability

• Sustain:Sustain:– survive over timesurvive over time

• Ability: Ability: – able to do somethingable to do something

• Sustainability:Sustainability:– The ability for an The ability for an ecosystem to survive and ecosystem to survive and

function over time function over time – The sustainable ecosystem is one that can The sustainable ecosystem is one that can

meet the needs of present and future meet the needs of present and future generations using its own resources.generations using its own resources.

SustainabilitySustainability

• A sustainable ecosystem is a A sustainable ecosystem is a stable stable ecosystemecosystem because it is in because it is in balancebalance – that is, all of its factors (both abiotic that is, all of its factors (both abiotic

and biotic) and biotic) play their roleplay their role in the in the ecosystem (they fulfill their niche). ecosystem (they fulfill their niche).

– since all organisms play their role, they since all organisms play their role, they are able to are able to maintainmaintain the balance in the the balance in the ecosystem so it is able to survive and ecosystem so it is able to survive and thrive.thrive.

SustainabilitySustainability

• There is growing concern that the Earth There is growing concern that the Earth is becoming an unstable system. This is is becoming an unstable system. This is cause for alarm – because if the earth cause for alarm – because if the earth becomes an unstable system we (as in becomes an unstable system we (as in human beings) may soon be out of a human beings) may soon be out of a place to live! In order to avoid this place to live! In order to avoid this instability, it is important that we instability, it is important that we understand how the world is becoming understand how the world is becoming unstable…unstable…

Methods of Maintaining the Methods of Maintaining the Earth as a Stable EcosystemEarth as a Stable Ecosystem

• Limit greenhouse gas emissions so Limit greenhouse gas emissions so that we can use the sun’s energythat we can use the sun’s energy

• Find new, cleaner sources of energy Find new, cleaner sources of energy to power our demanding lifestyleto power our demanding lifestyle

• Recycle what we currently have to Recycle what we currently have to make new, useful productsmake new, useful products

• Any other suggestions?Any other suggestions?

Methods of Maintaining the Methods of Maintaining the Earth as a Stable EcosystemEarth as a Stable Ecosystem

• Remember, we all have to play our part – Remember, we all have to play our part – since humans have introduced so much since humans have introduced so much new technology, it is our role to ensure new technology, it is our role to ensure this technology is used wisely, and can be this technology is used wisely, and can be reintegrated into the ecosystem so that it reintegrated into the ecosystem so that it does not simply pile up as waste!does not simply pile up as waste!

A stable ecosystem is able to sustain A stable ecosystem is able to sustain itself!itself!

BiodiversityBiodiversity

• Biodiversity:Biodiversity:– The The number of different speciesnumber of different species in an in an

ecosystemecosystem– HighHigh

•Biodiversity is high if there is a Biodiversity is high if there is a large number large number of different speciesof different species in the ecosystem in the ecosystem

– LowLow•Biodiversity is low if there is a Biodiversity is low if there is a small number small number

of different speciesof different species in the ecosystem in the ecosystem

How is Biodiversity How is Biodiversity Measured?Measured?• Biodiversity is measured by Biodiversity is measured by the the

success of an ecosystemsuccess of an ecosystem::– Ecosystems are Ecosystems are most successfulmost successful when when

the biodiversity is the biodiversity is highhigh. More species . More species allow the ecosystem to run allow the ecosystem to run smoothly; smoothly; predators can keep the population of predators can keep the population of prey in check & prey and producers can prey in check & prey and producers can provide a source of food.provide a source of food.

– Ecosystems with low biodiversity tend to Ecosystems with low biodiversity tend to be be less successfulless successful