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Biodiversity

Biodiversity. The Big Picture. There are six floral kingdoms on earth. The Big Picture. The Cape Floral Kingdom is the smallest, but also has the highest density of plant species Cape Town situated in the heart of the Cape Floral Kingdom and is a biodiversity “ hotspot ”

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Biodiversity

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  1. Biodiversity

  2. The Big Picture There are six floral kingdoms on earth

  3. The Big Picture • The Cape Floral Kingdom is the smallest, but also has the highest density of plant species • Cape Town situated in the heart of the Cape Floral Kingdom and is a biodiversity “hotspot” • Many species around found only here and nowhere else on earth – “endemic” • High number of species are threatened with extinction and on “red data list”

  4. BiodiversityVariety • Species diversity – number, type and distribution of species within an ecosystem • Genetic diversity – variation in genes enables organisms to evolve and adapt to new conditions • Ecosystem diversity – the variety of habitats and communities of different species that interact in a complex way • Aquatic (ponds, wetlands, coral reef) • Terrestrial (forests, deserts, mountains)

  5. BiodiversityVariation Biodiversity may not appear to have a direct impact on our lives, but we share the planet with: • 4 600 mammals • 4 700 birds • 4 700 bacteria • 5 000 viruses • 21 700 fishes • 40 000 algae • 1 170 000 invertebrates

  6. BiodiversityLocal is lekker • The term biodiversity does not distinguish between plants and animals that occur naturally or other otherwise • Indigenous plants and animals are naturally occurring in a specific area • Exotic or alien plants or animals have been brought in by humans on purpose or accidentally • Invasive alien species grow vigorously and replace indigenous species

  7. Biodiversity = Natural wealth

  8. BiodiversityValue • Biodiversity is extremely valuable: • It cleans our water and air • It holds our soil in place, preventing floods • The complex genetic pool provides us with food and medicine • In Cape Town it is a large contributor to tourism • Experience nature and open space for recreation, beauty and tranquility • Valuable in and of itself, just like any person

  9. Biodiversity in our CityIngeniously indigenous

  10. Biodiversity in our CityNatures Reserves We have many nature reserves in our city

  11. Biodiversity in our CityEnvironmental Education

  12. Biodiversity in our Homes Water wise Gardening Planting indigenous and water efficient trees and shrubs

  13. Biodiversity in our City

  14. Food for Thought SA has the second highest number of plant extinctions in the world

  15. Food for Thought 70% of the Cape Floral Kingdom’s 9600 plants species are found nowhere else on earth. About 20% of these are Red Data listed

  16. Food for Thought 10 000 species becoming extinct per year through human destruction of natural habitats.

  17. Food for Thought Cape Town is home to over 2500 indigenous plant species; 160 endemic and over 292 considered threatened.

  18. Food for Thought 41 mammal species remain in Cape Town, three Red Data listed and six recently extinct

  19. Biodiversity in our CityCome out of your shell Intro picture needed here…

  20. WASTE ENERGY WATER BIODIVERSITY WASTE ENERGY WATER BIODIVERSITY The challenge: What are you going to do differently?

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