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Biodiversity Notes

Biodiversity Notes. Short for Biological Diversity What does this mean?. Biological = Living organisms (plants and animals) Diversity = variety. Species diversity. number of species in a given area.

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Biodiversity Notes

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  1. Biodiversity Notes Short for Biological Diversity What does this mean? Biological = Living organisms (plants and animals) Diversity = variety

  2. Species diversity • number of species in a given area. • An island with 2 bird species and 1 lizard species is more diverse than an island with 3 bird species. • It’s numbers of species as well as categories of organisms. http://www.ipgri.cgiar.org/themes/human/images/Vegetation_Cuba.jpg http://www.al.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/photo/for/mngt/pine_plantation2.jpg Higher Species Diversity Lower Species Diversity

  3. http://www.sagarprabhu.com/gif/rice5.gif Genetic diversity A few of the hundreds of rice varieties found in India. • Variations of genes within a species. • Lots of distinct populations within a species (lots of varieties of rice in India--all from same species) • Genetic Variation within the population as a whole (high in Indian rhinos, low in cheetahs) Some genetic diversity in potatoes … http://www.potatoperspective.org/about_files/DSCN7746.jpg

  4. Ecosystem diversity • Variety of ecosystems within an area. • Wisconsin has about 9 different ecosystems, other states only have about 3, some >14, etc. • Very hard to measure due to overlapping boundary areas also called ecotones. http://cropandsoil.oregonstate.edu/HJA_mo/images/Lookout_meadow_vs_forest.jpg Coniferous Forest meeting a meadow http://www.naturalhomemagazine.com/backissues/02-01/living_color/beach.jpg Ocean meeting a beach

  5. Importance of Biodiversity: • Maintains soil quality: healthy bacteria, algae, fungi, mites, millipedes and worms help cycle nutrients • Maintains air quality: plants purify the air and filter harmful particles out of the air • Maintains water quality: variety of vegetation reduces erosion and purifies water by removing (using or absorbing) nutrients and pollution http://www.srl.caltech.edu/personnel/krubal/rainforest/Edit560s6/www/images/plants/fngcone1.jpg http://www.tropicalisland.de/KCH%20Sarawak%20-%20Bako%20National%20Park%20-%20Tropical%20rainforest2%201_b.jpg http://www.pondsaway.com/images/wetlands1.jpg

  6. Intercropping cocoa plants with coconut trees. Importance Continued … • Pest control:most crop pests can be controlled by other organisms for a longer period of time – helpful because many pests become resistant to synthetic pesticides • Pollination and crop production: More than 1/3 of world’s crops rely on healthy pollinators • (Potential) Medicines: many current and possible future medications found in areas with high biodiversity http://images.jupiterimages.com/common/detail/75/81/22568175.jpg http://www.bugwise.net.au/images/250/pollination_002.jpg

  7. 5 Threats of Biodiversity • Habitat destruction/fragmentation • Invasive species • Population growth • Pollution • Overconsumption

  8. Habitat Destruction • Changing a habitat to suit human needs…for housing, farming, etc. • This displaces animals/plants. As the human population grows, so does habitat destruction!

  9. Fragmentation • Breaking up large habitats into smaller habitats. • Creates an “edge” habitat where “inner” habitat used to be. Some plants and animals cannot adapt to these changes. http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/illinois/images/ozark_frag.jpg

  10. Invasive Species Oftentimes, invasive species out-compete native species resulting in disruption of the ecosystem and food chain. Many native organisms are becoming endangered by this! Synonyms include: Introduced species, non-native species, exotic species and alien species… • Any organism that has been relocated somewhere other than its original habitat. Zebra Mussel Asian Beetle

  11. Population growth of Humans • Increasing population means greater demand for food, shelter, fuel and water. • This often leads to habitat loss, pollution, resource scarcity and overconsumption (in areas with enough money) • Humans are coming into greater (more frequent) contact with previously wild areas with high biodiversity http://www1.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/2222903/2/istockphoto_2222903_crowded_city.jpg http://www.chbr.noaa.gov/categories/stressors/images/pollution_sm.jpg

  12. Population expected to reach 8 billion by 2020

  13. Pollution • Pollution can alter the habitat to the point where some plants and animals will not be able to adapt. • Global Climate Change--many species are intolerant to changes in temperature--affects feeding relationships and breeding patterns. • Acid rain/Air pollution-these types of issues do not respect borders. US acid rain fell in Canada destroying sugar maple forests which upset the amount/quality of maple syrup produced.

  14. Overconsumption • Individuals consuming way more resources than needed to survive – sometimes more than is needed for a high standard of life • Industrialized nations make up 25% of the world’s population, but use 75% of its resources. • US makes up only 5% of world’s pop--causes 33% of world’s pollution!

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