Biodiversity: To defend or Not defend?

Biodiversity: To defend or Not defend? - By Henil

My species… Komodo island monitor or Komodo Dragon Picture from Toronto zoo

Species profile Name: Komodo island monitor, Komodo dragon, ora Scientific Name: Varanus komodoensis Kingdom :Animalia Phylum : Chordata Class: Reptilia Order : Squamata Suborder: Lacertilia Family : Varanidae Genus : Varanus Subgenus :V. (Varanus) Species :V. komodoensis

Species profile Geographic range and habitat of Komodo Dragon island of the Lesser Sunda Islands, Nusa Tenggara Timurprovinsi(province), Indonesia. The island, which has an area of approximately 200 square miles (520 square km), lies on the Sape Strait between Flores and Sumbawa islands. It is rather hilly, reaching a maximum elevation of 2,700 feet (825 meters).. The island is best known as the home of the giant monitor lizard, Varanuskomodoensis, often called the Komodo dragon.

Species profile Habitat and ecology of komodo dragon Type of system: terrestrial(A terrestrial ecosystem is an ecosystem found only on a landform. Four primary terrestrial ecosystems exist: tundra, taiga, temperate deciduous forest, and grassland )

Species profile Population of Komodo Dragon Wild Population: 3,000 to 5,000 Dragons scientists are concerned that only 350 of them are breeding females. According to ICUN the Komodo Dragon is consider decreasing in numbers. (Chart from ICUN red list)

Species profile References : • kasnoff, c. (n.d.). Endangered Species and Endangered Animals at Bagheera .Endangered Species and Endangered Animals at Bagheera. Retrieved October 19, 2011, from http://www.bagheera.com/about.htm • Trapping Komodo Dragons for Conservation. (n.d.). Daily Nature and Science News and Headlines | National Geographic News. Retrieved October 19, 2011, from http://news.nationalgeographic.com/ne • Varanus komodoensis (Komodo Monitor). (n.d.). iucnredlist. Retrieved November 19, 2011, from www.iucnredlist.org • Encyclopædia Britannica Online School Edition. (n.d.). Encyclopædia Britannica Online School Edition. Retrieved October 19, 2011, from http://school.eb.com/eb/article-9045977?

Major threats Three major threats to the komodo dragons losing natural habitat. illegal hunting. Increasing human population on island and human distribution.

Major threats losing natural habitat. According to data Komodo dragons have been living on Indonesian islands from 900000 years ago, although they originated in Australia. From past 10 years Indonesian population increased, so the Komodo dragons facing habitat loss again human settlements. They are losing their natural habitat which made difficult situation to new born dragons. Before 900000years ago they were all over the Indonesia but after human activities they only can found in parts of the western and northern part of islands.

Major threats (2) illegal hunting. The primary threats to the dragon's survival include illegal hunting and loss of habitat to human settlement. As was the case with most large, spectacular animals the world over, Komodo dragons were sought as trophies by big-game hunters. They also are killed for skins and feet to make novelties. Early in this century, many Komodo dragons were trapped for sale to zoos and private collectors.

Major threats 3) Increasing human population on island and human distribution. The current population of Komodo dragons seems relatively stable at about 5,000 animals. The dragon's limited distribution makes them highly susceptible to natural or human-caused events, such as storms, fire, or disease. On the northern coast, farmers employing slash and burn agriculture are destroying the dragons' forest habitat. Because of that destructions dragons are decreasing in numbers.

Major threats References: Trapping Komodo Dragons for Conservation. (n.d.). Daily Nature and Science News and Headlines | National Geographic News. Retrieved October 19, 2011, from http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/ Komodo Dragon an Endangered Species at Bagheera. (n.d.).Endangered Species and Endangered Animals at Bagheera. Retrieved October 19, 2011, from http://www.bagheera.com/inthewild/v

Food Web # Energy transfers down to up (11) (12) (10) (8) (7) (6) (5) (4) (9) (2) (3) (1)

Food Web Species detail from food web sun (not a species and main source of energy) a plant

Food Web References: • Varanus komodoensis (Komodo Monitor). (n.d.). iucnredlist. Retrieved November 19, 2011, from www.iucnredlist.org • Encyclopædia Britannica Online School Edition. (n.d.). Encyclopædia Britannica Online School Edition. Retrieved October 19, 2011, from http://school.eb.com/eb/article-9045977?

Classification map Komodo dragons’ phylum: Chordata Chordata: Chordates form a phylumof creatures that are based on a bilateral body plan, and is defined by having at some stage in their lives all of the following. Thephylum Chordata is separated into three subgroups (or subphyla). The invertebrate subphylum Tunicata consists of the marine tunicates, including the ascidians and salps. The invertebrate subphylum Cephalochordata includes the fishlike amphioxus (or lancelet). Amphioxus is a small marine animal that closely resembles the larva of the jawless fishes (class Agnatha). The subphylum Vertebrata is the largest chordate subgroup.

Classification map Komodo dragons’ phylum: Chordata Three organism from chordata: LION Black mamba blue whale Lion : - Kingdom: Animalia, Phylum: Chordata, Class: Mammalia , Order: Carnivora, Family: Felidae, Genus: PantheraSpecies: P. leo , and sci. name: Panthera leo - Thelion (Panthera leo) is one of the four big cats in the genus Pantheraand a member of the family Felidae. With some males exceeding 250 kg(550 lb) in weight, it is the second-largest living cat after the tiger. Wild lions currently exist in Sub-Saharan Africaand in Asia with an endangered remnant population in Gir Forest National Park in India, having disappeared from North Africa and Southwest Asia in historic times. Until the late Pleistocene, about 10,000 years ago, the lion was the most widespread large land mammal after humans. They were found in most of Africa, across Eurasia from western Europe to India.

Classification map • One of Three organism from chordata: • Black mamba : • Kingdom :Animalia, Phylum: Chordata, Subphylum: Vertebrata, Class: Reptilia, Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Elapidae, Genus: Dendroaspis, Species: D. polylepis, and sci. name: Dendroaspispolylepis • The black mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis) is the longest venomous snake in Africa, averaging around 2.5 meters (8.2 ft), and sometimes growing up to 4.3 meters (14 ft). Its name is derived from the black coloration inside the mouth rather than the actual color of the skin which varies from dull yellowish-green to a gun-metal grey. It is the fastest snake in the world, capable of moving at 4.32 to 5.4 meters per second (16–20 km/h, 10–12 mph). The snake has an average life span of 11 years in the wild.

Classification map • One of Three organism from chordata: • Blue whale: • Kingdom: Animalia, Phylum: Chordata, Class: Mammalia, Order: Cetacea, Suborder: Mysticeti, Family: Balaenopteridae, Genus: Balaenoptera, Species: B. musculus, and sci. name is Balaenoptera musculus • The blue whale has a long tapering body that appears stretched in comparison with the stockier build of other whales. The head is flat, U-shaped and has a prominent ridge running from the blowhole to the top of the upper lip.The front part of the mouth is thick with baleen plates; around 300 plates (each around one meters (3.2 ft) long) hang from the upper jaw, running 0.5 m (1.6 ft) back into the mouth. Between 60 and 90 grooves (called ventral pleats) run along the throat parallel to the body length. These pleats assist with evacuating water from the mouth after lunge feeding (see feeding below).

Classification map • References: • Encyclopædia Britannica Online School Edition. (n.d.). Encyclopædia Britannica Online School Edition. Retrieved October 19, 2011, from http://school.eb.com/eb/article-45501?query=phylum&ct=null • Endangered Species and Endangered Animals at Bagheera. (n.d.).Endangered Species and Endangered Animals at Bagheera. Retrieved October 19, 2011, from http://www.bagheera.com/about.htm • earthendeangered. Retrieved October 19, 2011, from http://www.earthsendangered.com/profile.asp?gr=R&view=c&ID=3&sp=270

Consequences There would be some serious economical and environmental problems in future if komodo dragon become extinct. In Indonesia komodo dragons are main and interested subject for tourists because komodo dragon is the world’s largest ground monitor and also shares ancestor with dinosaurs. According to a statistic Indonesia earns more than 30% of economy from tourism. In addition if komodo dragon extinct than the tourism business will be broke in Indonesia. At other side some body part of Komodo dragon use to make novelties, so in that case the novelty business also going to affect if komodo dragon become extinct, which going to directly affect human lives economically. Which means the standard of human lives in Indonesia will become low. On other side as a result of an environmental impact food web would be majorly effect if komodo dragon extinct. In food web every species is very important, so if one species extinct than whole food web and ecosystem will damaged. As a prediction If komodo dragon extinct than all the animals who were food source of komodo dragon will be increase in population, which going to extinct the other species which are the food source of over populated animals. And if it’s continues than it will cause to serious damaged to environment and eco-system. Human cannot live without his habitat so if the human’s habitat(ecosystem ) damaged than it could bring many difficulties for human lives.

Consequences • References: • Encyclopædia Britannica Online School Edition. (n.d.). Encyclopædia Britannica Online School Edition. Retrieved October 19, 2011, from http://school.eb.com/eb/article-45501?query=phylum&ct=null

Personal Response Biodiversity important or not? Biodiversity is very important for survive any specie on earth. In fact Earth is an great example of biodiversity. Biodiversity means all different living things on earth, which relay on each other to survive. Biodiversity is important for survival because it source of food and Medication, evolution and living atmosphere to a human. Firstly, biodiversity provides food to all species. Human is a omnivore animal which means humans relay on both vegetables and plant. If we think about biodiversity around us(human), we will come up with animals, plant and other living things which most we use for eating as a food, without that biodiversity we will not able to obtain food. in other side if we talk about medication that it also come from biodiversity. There is many organisms other than human which have totally different genes and antibodies than human. Some of them is used by human in past to defend various kind of disease. As an example penicillin fungi is used in many medication in modern days which is also a part of biodiversity. In modern time human uses many organisms to research and find medication. In short biodiversity is a very important factor for species. Secondly, biodiversity was an important factor to cause evolution. Because of biodiversity species face conflicts and to avoid that conflict a species struggle with the situation and be successful to develop an abilities to defend that certain situation and once again species face a new conflict. This cycle helps them to evaluate(upgrade) their abilities. As an example humans were came from apes(according to scientists), in fact apes were hydrophobic. As time goes humans have to face certain kind of conflicts in past, so they built abilities to swim in water. - To be continued to the next slide ……….

Lastly, biodiversity is also provides living atmosphere to species. All the species of kingdom plantea perform important role in ecosystem. Most species who lives on grounds need oxygen to survive. As a fact s species named algae provides 2/3 oxygen of world. There is many tiny species out in atmosphere which provides positive conditions to live. Conclusively biodiversity is very important factor for ecosystem. • References: • Encyclopædia Britannica Online School Edition. (n.d.). Encyclopædia Britannica Online School Edition. Retrieved October 19, 2011, from http://school.eb.com/eb/article-45501?query=phylum&ct=null

Action plan • Komodo Dragons were introduced to ZSL London Zoo as part of the European Conservation Breeding Program. • Action that could taken to promote this program • Encourage people to adopt a komodo dragon.(to adopt means they dragons will not be removed from their natural habitat but dragon named after the person who adopt it.) By this action we could rise fund for future plans and breeding program. • organize marathon in addition to increase fund and aware people about extinct of species. • organize street drama and choreographic dance based on awareness. • Put pressure on government to make strict law against hunting of komodo island monitor. • Presenting facts about komodo dragons • making t-shirts, clothes that make awareness for dragons.

Concert for Komodo The world’s beautiful wonder Wasaga beach village July 2nd 2012 6.00pm onward Awareness for the wonderful creature on earth No any charge! Free concert

Action plan References : Komodo dragon conservation in Indonesia . (n.d.). Animal Conservation | UK Zoos Zoological Society of London - ZSL . Retrieved October 19, 2011, from http://www.zsl.org/conservation/regions/asia/komodo-dragon-indonesia/

Interesting Fact The world’s greatest monitor, komodo island monitor use poison to kill animals Researchers have discovered that the bite of the world's largest lizard, the Komodo dragon, is venomous. The carnivorous beasts are unusual because they release their prey after biting them, apparently leaving the animals to bleed to death before eating them. But many experts have claimed the victims die after being infected with bacteria that cover the lizards' serrated teeth. Komodo dragons live on several Indonesian islands and typically grow to 3m long and weigh around 50kg. They lie in wait for prey and ambush them by charging forwards with their jaws open. The lizards can spend hours in one spot, waiting for wild boar, deer, goats and other large mammals to pass by. Scientists at the University of Melbourne used computer models to investigate the strength of the lizards' bite and found it was weak compared with other predators, such as the Australian saltwater crocodile. But magnetic resonance imaging scans revealed complex venom glands in the dragons' mouths that had never been documented before.

The End - By Henil

Biodiversity: To defend or Not defend?