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Biodiversity

Explore the importance of biodiversity, the management of natural resources, and the threats and protection methods for preserving Earth's unique life. Learn about the economic, environmental, and cultural benefits of biodiversity.

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Biodiversity

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  1. Biodiversity

  2. Biodiversity • The variety of living things. • Ecological diversity • different habitats, niches, species interactions • Species diversity • different kinds of organisms, relationships among species • Genetic diversity • different genes & combinations of genes within populations

  3. Natural Resources • Vital economic natural resources • Renewable • Forests (plants and wildlife) • Soils • Fresh water (lakes, rivers, coasts) • Wildlife and fisheries • Nonrenewable • Minerals • Fossil Fuels

  4. Natural Resources • Management of natural resources • Protection • Conservation • Ensure availability of resources for the future

  5. Benefits of Biodiversity • Ecosystem services • Cleaning water, • Cleaning air, • Habitat & breeding areas for wildlife. • Aesthetic and cultural benefits

  6. Benefits of Biodiversity • Environmental • Maintaining food webs • Organic waste disposal • Soil formation • Crop and herd genetics • Biological pest control • Plant pollination

  7. Benefits of Biodiversity • Economic • Food sources (animals – crops – maple syrup) • Pharmaceutical (aspirin – marijuana) • Employment • Tourism • Exports

  8. Medicines

  9. Biodiversity • How much biodiversity? • 1.7—2.0 million species

  10. Biodiversity • Where is the biodiversity? • Everywhere • Every continent and habitat has unique life • Concentrated in the tropics • Panama: > 500 species of breeding birds • Arctic: 50-100 species • Dense concentrations

  11. Australia!

  12. Threats to Biodiversity • Extinction • Non–sustainable hunting, harvesting, farming • Habitat destruction • Climate change • Invasive species

  13. Protecting Biodiversity • How can we protect biodiversity • Stop overharvesting • Sustainable yield • Hunting & fishing laws • Protect habitats • Refuges, parks, preserves • Endangered Species Act

  14. Protecting Biodiversity • Endangered Species Act (1973) • Goal to “recover” species so they no longer need protection under ESA • Implements U.S. participation in CITES • “Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species” • Prohibits trade in listed species • whole organisms • parts: skins, bones, teeth, flowers, leaves, etc. • Other laws: • Marine Mammal Protection Act • Migratory Bird Treaty Act • Anadromous Fish Conservation Act

  15. Protecting Biodiversity • Biodiversity “hotspots” • Protection of habitat is crucial in these areas…

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