Biodiversity

1. Biodiversity The importance of being different

2. Biodiversity • _______________________________________ • This includes microorganisms (bacteria) as well as larger organisms (you)

3. Biodiversity • Some ecosystems are highly diverse while others are not, this is ____________________ ______________________.

4. Biodiversity • Areas with low biodiversity are at a higher risk for _________________. • Extinctions in areas like this would lead to ______________________________________ ___________

5. Biodiversity Hotspots • ____________________________________________________________ • About 25 of these hot spots have been identified. They cover about 2% of the globe.

6. The Importance of Biodiversity • The more species which are present on the Earth, the more total ________________ there is. This means there are more opportunities for humans (and other organisms) ___________________________

7. The Importance of Biodiversity • Food sources • People in this country eat mainly a few different types of plants and animals. These species are bred to produce more and have less variation. _______________________. Why might this be a problem?

8. The Importance of Biodiversity • Much of the fruit we eat needs to be __________________. While pesticide use can decrease the amount of destructive insects, it can also kill pollinators if not used efficiently. What other problems might pesticide use cause?

9. The Importance of Biodiversity • Medicine sources • Many modern medicines come form ___________________________________________ • Many plants have not even been studied for beneficial compounds • Industrial materials • __________________ • _______________ • _______________ • _______________

10. Lost Biodiversity: An American Example • The __________________was attacked over 100 years ago by an Asian fungus. • The fungus causes the trees to die before they can produce nuts • The loss of this tree has affected:

11. Lost Biodiversity: An American Example • ___________________: American chestnut was among the fastest growing hardwoods of the eastern US. • Fast-growing species like American chestnut will be of great use to help alleviate the build up of carbon in the atmosphere through their uptake and storage of carbon.

12. Lost Biodiversity: An American Example • __________________:Native wildlife from birds to bears, squirrels to deer, depended on the tree's abundant crops of nutritious nuts. • Chestnuts have a higher food value than acorns so could ______________ __________________________

13. Lost Biodiversity: An American Example • ___________________________:As winter came on, attics were often stacked with chestnuts • Springhouses and smokehouses were hung with hams and other products from livestock that had been fattened on the nuts. And what wasn't consumed was sold.

14. Lost Biodiversity: An American Example • ______________:The tree grew straight and often branch-free for 50 feet. • Loggers tell of loading entire railroad cars with boards cut from just one tree. Straight-grained, lighter in weight than oak and more easily worked, chestnut was as rot resistant as redwood. • It was used for virtually everything - telegraph poles, railroad ties, shingles, paneling, fine furniture, musical instruments, even pulp and plywood. American Chestnut Foundation

16. Loss of Biodiversity • ____________________________________________________________________________