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Loss of Animal Biodiversity Why Is It Important and What Can We Do About It? Katie Gankos February 23 rd , 2009

Loss of Animal Biodiversity Why Is It Important and What Can We Do About It? Katie Gankos February 23 rd , 2009. Will. In Other Words…. ?. End Up Like. What is Biodiversity, Anyway?. Biodiversity is defined as:

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Loss of Animal Biodiversity Why Is It Important and What Can We Do About It? Katie Gankos February 23 rd , 2009

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  1. Loss of Animal Biodiversity Why Is It Important and What Can We Do About It? Katie Gankos February 23rd, 2009

  2. Will In Other Words… ? End Up Like

  3. What is Biodiversity, Anyway? Biodiversity is defined as: The number and variety of organisms found within a specified geographic region

  4. Why Are We Losing It? Reason #1: Climate Change The levels of CO2 in the atmosphere are increasing, causing global temperatures to rise – 0.6° C since 1970 Increasing temperatures then cause: -Rising sea levels -Melting of the Arctic ice and glaciers By 2100, temperatures are expected to have risen by 6° C

  5. Why Are We Losing It? Reason #2: Overpopulation The human population has been rising steadily, and in many areas of the world, continues to do so. Does the Earth have a carrying capacity?

  6. Why Is Biodiversity Important? All of Earth’s ecosystems are intricately linked, and the diversity of organisms contributes to their ability to function. In addition, many possess KEYSTONE species: A species whose presence contributes to a diversity of life and whose extinction would lead to the extinction of many other animals

  7. Proof of Climate Change Quelccya Ice Cap, Peru Alaska The presence of “hotspots”, spots rich in biological diversity, have decreased. 20 years ago = 16% of Earth’s surface Now = < 3% of Earth’s surface

  8. One Big Example: Polar Bears According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the polar bear population is stable However, they were placed on the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in May 2008 Well….WHY? Polar bears are a great example of a keystone species, and their habitat is changing rapidly

  9. Changes in the Arctic Since 1970, there has been a 3% decrease in the extent of sea ice per decade Some scientists believe ALL of the summer arctic sea ice could disappear by 2013!! So why is this important to the polar bears? Earlier breakup of sea ice = shorter hunting season A 2 week shorter hunting season = 8% weight loss

  10. Another Example: Leatherback Sea Turtles Populations are drastically effected by increased temperature: -Rising sea levels are shrinking beaches -Rising sea temperatures are killing the reefs -Eggs are very sensitive to sand temperature Considered critically endangered, with only 3,000 left in the wild

  11. Endangered Species Act Passed in 1966 Serves to protect all threatened or endangered species and their habitats Currently, there are 1,215 vertebrates and invertebrates listed Classified as either Threatened or Endangered

  12. How Does the Endangered Species Act Relate to Us? Currently, there are 17 species native to Maryland on the ESA

  13. Global Solutions Increase the number and size of reserves Decrease the amount of CO2 we release into the atmosphere Education Stricter laws enforcing habitat conservation

  14. Local Solutions Implement education programs in local elementary schools Reduce our everyday carbon footprint by: -Changing our light bulbs -Eat less meat -Fly less -Reuse -Carpooling

  15. Works Cited • Brown, Lester R. Plan B 4.0: Mobilizing to Save Civilization. 4th ed. N.p.: W W Norton & Compant, 2009. Earth Policy Institute. Web. 23 Feb. 2010. <http://www.earth-policy.org/images/uploads/ book_files/pb4book.pdf>. • Climate Change and Biodiversity. IPCC. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Apr. 2002. Web. 23 Feb. 2010. <http://www.coastman.net.co/publicaciones/cc/(0065).pdf>. • "Current State and Trends Assesment." Millenium Ecosystem Assessment. Millenium Ecosystem Assessment, 2005. Web. 23 Feb. 2010. <http://www.millenniumassessment.org/en/ Condition.aspx>. • Dunn, Collin. "Reduce Your Carbon Footprint In Half in 3 Steps." Planet Green. N.p., 8 July 2009. Web. 23 Feb. 2010. <http://planetgreen.discovery.com/home-garden/ reduce-carbon-footprint-threesteps.html>. • "Ecosystems and Biodiversity: Animals." Climate Change - Health and Environmental Effects. Unites States Environmental Protection Agency, 15 Oct. 2009. Web. 23 Feb. 2010. <http://www.epa.gov/ climatechange/effects/eco_animals.html>. • "IPCC Reports." IPCC. International Governmental Panel on Climate Change, n.d. Web. 23 Feb. 2010. <http://www.ipcc.ch/ipccreports/ar4-wg2.htm>. • "Polar Bears at Risk." World Wildlife Fund. World Wildlife Fund, May 2002. Web. 23 Feb. 2010. <http://www.worldwildlife.org/climate/Publications/WWFBinaryitem4927.pdf>. • "Population Growth Over Human History." Global Change. University of Michigan, n.d. Web. 23 Feb. 2010. <http://www.globalchange.umich.edu/globalchange2/current/lectures/human_pop/ human_pop.html>. • "Species Reports." Environmental Conservation Online System. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services, 23 Feb. 2010. Web. 23 Feb. 2010. < http://ecos.fws.gov/tess_public/>. • http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/biodiversity • Pictures: • http://www.whyy.org/cms/radiotimes/files/2009/12/polar-bear1.jpg • http://pioneermindset.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/creek-crossing-bengal-tiger.jpg • http://aylluinitiative.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/world-population-growth-to-20501.jpg

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