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Transcript
Humans in the Biosphere Biodiversity & Charting a Course for the Future Biodiversity • Biodiversity = The sum total of all organisms in the biosphere. • Ecosystem diversity = all of the habitats, communities, and ecological processes of the living world. • Species diversity = The number of different species in the biosphere. • Genetic diversity = Sum total of the genetic information carried by all organisms. Threats to Biodiversity • Human activity – – – – Altering habitats Hunting species to extinction Introducing toxic compounds into the food web Introducing foreign species into an environment • Extinction=when a species disappears • Endangered species = the population of a species declines such that it puts the species in danger of extinction. Threats to Biodiversity Habitat Alteration • Habitat fragmentation= the development of land often splits ecosystems into pieces. – Splits species into “biological islands” – The smaller the island the fewer the species. – The smaller the island the more vulnerable species are to changes in their environment. Threats to Biodiversity Hunting • Hunting can push a species to extinction. • Hunting laws are difficult to enforce. Threats to Biodiversity - Pollution • Example: DDT – A pesticide • Nonbiodegradable=never broken down by bacteria, plants or animals • When consumed by an organism it is never eliminated from their body. – – – – When sprayed it drained into rivers and streams. Aquatic plants picked up DDT from the water. Herbivores eat many aquatic plants. Carnivores eat the herbivores. • Biological magnification = concentrations of a harmful substance increase at higher trophic levels in a food chain or food web. Threats to Biodiversity Introduced Species • Foreign species are introduced into habitats. • Invasive species=foreign species that reproduce rapidly. – No predators or parasites to control their population Water Hyacinth Threats to Biodiversity Introduced Species • Example – Gypsy moths – once contained in a research facility on the east coast of the United States until they escaped in 1869 – caused the destruction of entire forests by eating the leaves off of the trees Conserving Biodiversity • Conservation=management of natural resources, including the preservation of habitats and wildlife. • Captive breeding programs, protect land as parks or reserves, marine sanctuaries.