BIODIVERSITY

1. BIODIVERSITY Ch 10

3. Importance • Indicator of healthy ecosystem • Interconnectedness • Weakness in one species weakens entire ecosystem • Weakness in multiple ecosystems weakens biospere • Where is the tipping point? (JENGA analogy) • Uses by humans for food, medicine and more • Intrinsic, aesthetic value • People appreciate this with ecotourism – and industry that revolves around people who visit to enjoy nature and scenery

4. TED Talk on biodiversity and industry • Sustainable biodiversity – 20 minutes. • 6/2010 • Talk by leader of WWF • http://www.ted.com/talks/jason_clay_how_big_brands_can_save_biodiversity.html • focuses on the way big businesses produces… moving toward less resources to produce more efficiently.

5. 3 Types of Biodiversity • Genetic • Variations within one species • i.e. some cardinals redder (more attractive to females), more fluffy feathers (better adapted to cold), etc. • Genetic bottleneck: leads to a weaker species, as even when more members are bred, the variety was already narrowed • This makes the species less flexible to withstand various changes in the environment • Ecosystem • Ie. Woodlands, prairies, wetlands, deserts, tropical forests, etc. • Species • Most common reference • Multiple endemic species living in one ecosystem Opposite of biodiversity is… Monoculture – one single species in an area

6. Keystone Species • More important to ecosystems than most other species • Their loss would precipitate the collapse of the ecosystem • Characteristics that can make a species a keystone species: • Structure builders (dams, burrows, etc (not nests, so much) that other organisms use for habitat • Apex predators • Specialty feeders (ex: otters) • Unique producers (provide food and habitat)

7. Gopher Tortoise – Keystone Species

8. Threats • #1 threat (causes 70% of species extinction) is… • Habitat fragmentation and loss • Fragmentation: • Interrupt river flow with dams • Interrupt migration resting areas (bird migration game) • Break up hunting areas • Build roads or fences

9. Threats • Exotic / invasive species • Take over niche of endemic species, upsetting balance • No natural predators • Organisms in an new area have not evolved defenses against invasive species • Examples : • Cane Toads • Kudzu • Kudzu bugs • Burmese pythons • Snake head fish (Chesapeake Bay) • Zebra mussels

10. Threats • Animal Trafficking • Poaching • Hunting

11. Animal Trafficking “It’s just to have a pet no one else has.  That’s what’s driving this market, “ said Thomas Brady, Federal Prosecutor on the case for the Japanese informant that complied with authorities to bring down the previously-mentioned Japanese smuggling ring. http://bushwarriors.wordpress.com/2011/02/15/busted-wildlife-smugglers%E2%80%99-arrests-prove-%E2%80%98snakes-on-a-plane%E2%80%99-isn%E2%80%99t-just-a-bad-movie/

12. poaching

13. poaching

14. poaching According to National Geographic, over 25,000 elephants were killed last year, alone. The ivory from their tusks is an illegal trade.

15. Threats • Pollution • Pesticides, cleaning agents, drugs and other chemicals are making their way into food webs around the world • Solid waste • Fertilizers – in aquatic ecosystems…leads to Mutated frogs, due to chemicals in their water Frogs are indicator species, They absorb chemicals through their thin skin

16. Most vulnerable species • Limited resources • Ex: panda eats only bamboo. If bamboo availability decreases, so does Panda population • Needs wide range • Ex: Florida Panther’s hunting range is large • Development (housing, agriculture and infrastructure) has fragmented range • Migrating species • Rely on multiple habitats • Exploited by humans • Over hunting, over fishing, poaching, etc.

17. Biodiversity hotspots • 34 identified areas with high endemic (native, from the area) biodiversity, over 70% reduced

18. Saving Species • Captive breeding • Genetic Bottleneck problem • Preserving genetic material • Seeds, sperm, eggs or DNA • Zoos, aquariums, parks and gardens • Local examples include Atlanta Zoo, Georgia Aquarium, Butterfly Gardens in __, and Atlanta Botanical Gardens The above methods do not solve habitat destruction problem, so when organisms are released back into wild, they will face the same pressures.

19. Saving Species – Preserving Habitats • Because of interconnectedness, large ranges must be preserved • impractical • Solutions: • Focus on biodiversity hotspots • ID areas of native habitat that can be preserved or linked (bear bridges, tunnels for water passage in everglades, etc.) • Promote products that have been harvested with sustainable practices • Ex: shade grown coffee

20. Legal Protection - USA • Endangered Species Act • 1973 • Four provisions • Compile a list USFWS (US Fish and Wildlife Service) • As of 2005, 1272 species listed • Endangered or threatened species may not be: • Caught or Killed • Uprooted from federal land • Sold or traded (including body parts) • Feds may not carry out projects that jeopardize endangered species • Species recovery plan for each • Often proposes protecting or restoring species habitat

21. controversies • Northern Spotted Owl • Forestry vs. endangered species

22. controversies • Tellico Dam on Little Tennessee River • Dam vs. endangered little fish: snail darter • Dam won • Snail darter population transported to nearby rivers

23. controversies • Tipron Kangaroo Rat vs. farmer in Bakersfield, CA • Farmer not allowed to plow his field

24. Legal Protections - International • IUCN – International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural resources • Over 200 gov’t agencies and 700 private conservation organizations • Redlists of endangered species worldwide • Sponsors conservation projects • Produces CITES (Convention on International Trade and Endangered Species) • Worldwide ban on ivory trade

25. Legal Protections - International • Biodiversity Treaty • Created at Earth Summit, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 1992 • US objected to ratification – didn’t want to take species biodiversity into account when making economic and trade decisions

26. Private Conservation • WWF – World Wildlife Fund • Wildlife protection • Encourages sustainable resource use • Nature Conservancy • Buys up land for conservation • (Hyde Farm on Lower Roswell Road) • Conservation International – • biodiversity hotspots and ecosystem conservation • Greenpeace • Direct action • Controversial confrontations

27. Take-Away • Balance human needs with conservation • Ultimate win-win