Preserving Biodiversity. I can explain how and why communities of living organisms change over time.

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Gwen Byrd
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1 Preserving Biodiversity I can explain how and why communities of living organisms change over time.

2 Biodiversity Biodiversity is the variety of different types of life found on the Earth and the variations within species. Biodiversity boosts ecosystem productivity where each species, no matter how small, all have an important role to play.

3 Biodiversity Biodiversity is measured on three levels: Species diversity- the variety of living things, from bacteria and fungi to redwoods and blue whales. Ecosystem diversity- tropical rainforests, deserts, swamps, tundra and aquatic biomes. Genetic diversity- the variety of genes within a species, which cause variations and lead to species evolution and adaptation. Low genetic diversity may lead to extinction, endangerment or vulnerability of a species.

4 Extinction EXTINCTION is when something vanishes, comes to an end or dies out. EXAMPLES: dinosaur, dodo bird, wooly mammoth from the past. Western Black Rhinoceros from Africa, was declared extinct more recently, in 2011.

5 Extinction/Endangered Species Organisms that are not able to adapt to their environment, due to: Pollution (coral - endangered) Overhunting (dodo extinct) Habitat loss (panda endangered) Introduction of new species (rodents & birds in Guam due to brown tree snake - extinct) Diseases (island species such as Tasmanian Devil endangered) Climate change (mosaic-tailed rat extinct, caused by sea level rise)

Endangered A species which has been categorized as very likely to become extinct. Examples include Asian elephants, green sea turtles, and blue whales.

6 Endangered A species which has been categorized as very likely to become extinct. Examples include Asian elephants, green sea turtles, and blue whales. These populations are closely monitored, and there are considerable fines and jail time if someone is found hunting or harming a species that is considered endangered.

7 Threatened/Vulnerable o o o These are species that face a high risk of extinction, but not for many years. These species are typically hunted for pelts and trophies. For example lions for pelts and African elephants for ivory. Or have lost a significant amount of their habitat, such as Komodo dragons and Galapagos tortoises.

8 Extinction The World Wildlife Organization focuses on saving certain species that help sustain other species. They protect wildlife such as pandas, whales, rhinos, marine turtles, primates, polar bears, and big cats.

9 Your Assignment In groups of 3, look at webpage: desc&sort=extinction_status Choose an endangered or threatened/vulnerable species. Research that species. Write down: Reasons why your animal is threatened: pollution, overhunting, habitat loss, introduction of new species, diseases, climate change Explain why you think it's important for these animals to be protected. Present to the class: The animal you learned about: name, picture, habitat Reasons for endangerment or threatened status Why it s important they are protected/how they are important in their ecosystem

10 Bees: Example of Importance CRUCIAL AGRICULTURAL WORKERS Bees prefer to live in gardens, woodlands, orchards, meadows and other areas with flowering plants. Bees are endangered in the U.S. due to pollution (pesticides) and disease (parasites). As reported by CNN (May 5, 2000), One third of all our food fruits and vegetables would not exist without pollinators visiting flowers. But honeybees, the primary species that fertilizes food-producing plants, have suffered dramatic declines in recent years, mostly from afflictions introduced by humans.

11 Bees: As German bee expert Professor Joergen Tautz from Wurzburg University adds: Bees are vital to biodiversity. There are 130,000 plants for which bees are essential to pollination, from melons to pumpkins, raspberries and all kind of fruit trees as well as animal fodder (food) like clover. Bees are more important than poultry in terms of human nutrition.

12 Why is this important? Why are all the members of an ecosystem important. What happens if one member of an ecosystem no longer exists? For example, what might happen if a certain type of fish dies out of a lake ecosystem, leaving its predators without a food source and its prey without a predator? What are some potential impacts for animal and plant members of the ecosystem and for people who live near or make use of the ecosystem (e.g., fishers or tourists). Biodiversity boosts ecosystem productivity where each species, no matter how small, all have an important role to play.

13 Preserving Biodiversity Economic: Biodiversity can help people make money or keep people from losing money. Recreational: People love outdoor activities like fishing and backpacking, which would not be possible if ecosystems were destroyed.

14 Preserving Biodiversity Human health: Biodiversity can help people find better cures for illnesses. Health is our most basic human right. For most people, it does not just mean freedom from illness, but a state of overall social, emotional, physical, spiritual and cultural welfare. Being well, and having the capacity to look after our health and that of our family or community, depends upon a range of factors, including our economic status and ultimately on our environment. Health is therefore one of the most important indicators of sustainable development.

15 Preserving Biodiversity Human rights: If biodiversity is protected, local people can continue to live in their native lands. Spiritual/intrinsic value: Biodiversity should be preserved for its own sake, animals and plants have a right to live, and people rely on wild places and creatures for spiritual fulfillment."

Environmental Change and its Effects

Environmental Change and its Effects 1 of 22 Boardworks Ltd 2011 2 of 22 Boardworks Ltd 2011 What happens when habitats change? 3 of 22 Boardworks Ltd 2011 Adaptive evolution ensures that individuals within