Biodiversity

1. Biodiversity

3. Biodiversity • It is an expression of the energy and richness of an ecosystem. • Note on the previous map, the ecosystem with the most biodiversity lie around the equator, where you find the greatest concentration of sunlight.

4. Biodiversity • Biodiversity is the result of millions of years of evolution – new species are born as species adapt to their environment and are modified over time by natural selection. • Adaptation leads to, over time, speciation, which means one species splits into two (becoming reproductively isolated) or more new species. • Biodiversity – bio means life and diversity means variety. Literally it means the diversity of life.

5. Speciation • Allopatric (Geographic) Speciation • Division of a single population by geographic barrier, such as a mountain range, layers in a rainforest, a glacier, or some other physical barrier. • Habitat destruction and fragmentation are also barriers. • Creates islands of habitat that may or may not be large enough to support a certain species.

6. Allopatric Speciation

7. Habitat Fragmentation

8. Wild Canine Adaptations and Diversity And these are just a few

9. Other Examples • Oak trees (an unbelievably impress radiation) • Ants • Beetles • Sharks • And innumerable others

10. Speciation • Sympatric Speciation • Is a speciation that occurs without geographic separation of the individuals that become members of the new species.

11. Speciation • Sympatric Speciation continued • Con occur via several mechanisms including: • Polyploidy – It is when the number of chromosomes of a species suddenly increases due to some environmental factor (usually 2 or 4). When polyploidy takes place, the polyploid individuals cannot interbreed with their nonpolyploid relatives. • It has occurred in such animals as gold fish, salmon, and many species of salamanders. • It is quite common in wheat, ferns, and many flowering plants (we have made wheat polyploid).

12. Each Species is Unique • Every species represents a unique way of surviving. • Therefore, each species genes code for characteristics that are very unique • We have barely begun to catalog that uniqueness and the treasures that it holds. • The negative part is the minimum rate of extinction is 3 species per hour.

13. Biodiversity Hotspots • Areas needing immediate conservation due to their singular biodiversity – and there rapid pace of destruction. • Example: Centinela

14. Centinela – a Case in Point • In the Andean foothills of Ecuador, there is a ridge called Centinela. • It is a symbol of the silent destruction of biodiversity. • When the forest on Centinela was cut, many rare species, only recently discovered by botanists, were reduced from healthy populations to extinction. • Unfortunately, this is too common and dangerous for us – our world loses its living buffer.

15. Centinela • Centinela burning

16. Good News • The number of protected areas around the world has exploded. • Protected areas nominally cover an area of land equivalent to China and India. • That is the good news; however, we always need to remember the reality (see next slide).

17. Reality

18. Some Identified Hotspots • Usambara Mountain Forest – Tanazania • San Bruno Mountain, California • Oasis of the Dead Sea Depression • Madagascar • Uplands of Western Amazonia • Atlantic coast of Brazil • Tallgrass Prairie of North America • Western Ecuador • Southwestern Australia • Lower Slopes of the Himalayas • Northwestern Borneo • Among others

19. Assignment • In groups • Pick a hotspot • Tell us: • where it is. • What makes it special (biological and ecological characteristics). • What are the species, animal and plant, that you find there. • What is happening to it (why is it threatened). • Find at least 3 sources (split up the work finding them)