Download Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)

A–Level Geography Seminar
Ecosystem and Biodiversity: Human
Impacts and Conservation in HK
Lawal M. Marafa, Ph.D
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
OUTLINE:
Ecosystem
Biodiversity (In HK)
Conservation
Human Impact
The Case of HK
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
The ecosystem
Ecosystem: is an energydriven complex of a community
of organisms and its controlling
environment;
…..an ecological unit composed
of
living
and
non-living
components
interacting
to
produce a stable system;
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
The ecosystem
Hierarchy
Ecosystem: hierarchical
way to view the living
organisms in the
biosphere on earth
Organisms occur in
populations, members of
the same species that
live together in the same
area at the same time.
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
The ecosystem
is a classical example of an
environmental system because it has
the qualities of a functional system.
Decomposers
Consumers
Producer
s
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
The ecosystem
Three important qualities:
a) the system is made up of component parts,
b) the parts work together, and
c) the whole thing serves some purpose
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
The ecosystem
How does the ecosystem work?
 Energy flows
 Nutrients cycle
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
The ecosystem
To
summarize,
energy
enters
the
ecosystem as free, solar energy and leaves
it as heat, having undergone changes from
a ‘concentrated’ to a ‘dispersed’ state.
Potential
Kinetic
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
The ecosystem
The earth’s ecosystems are grouped into
biomes characterized by particular plant
and animal types, usually named for a
region’s climate or dominant vegetation.
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
The ecosystem
So biomes contain many ecosystems (species)
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
Darwin’s Theory of
Evolution and
Survival of Species
What is a species?
a population whose members
are able to interbreed freely
under natural conditions
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
Evolution of species
Scientists can often trace the evolution of a
complete group of species by looking at fossils.
Elephants (proboscideans) includes more than 150
species now extinct.
As time went by, their tusks, trunks, and bodies
became larger.
Finches
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
Evolution of species
Evolution: a process of continuous
change from a lower, simpler, or worse to
a higher, more complex, or better state.
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
Evolution of species
Most organisms can be classified into distinct groups on the basis
of their:
appearance (morphology)
internal processes (physiology)
ecological preferences
New species appear by mutation
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
Variation exists within species
the diversity of species present
in any environment characterizes
a biome
Biomes represent the powerhouse of biodiversity
These variations and traits lead to biodiversity
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
Biodiversity can improve the stability of
an entire community (ecosystem)
The maintenance of a healthy biodiversity
is the function of plants, soils,
climates, and indeed human activity
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
So what is Biodiversity?
The variation among organisms is referred
to as biological diversity
Biodiversity, therefore, encompasses all
species of plants, animals, and microorganisms and the ecosystems and
ecological processes of which they are
part.
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
So what is Biodiversity?
Biodiversity is usually considered at three
different levels:
1. Genetic diversity,
2. Species diversity, and
3. Ecosystem diversity.
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
Genetic Diversity
 total of genetic information, contained in
the genes of individual organisms
This is now the age of the DNA!!
Dolly
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
Genetic Diversity
Variation in shell colour
and banding patterns
among populations of one
species of snail
Variation in corn
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
Ecosystem Diversity
Relates to the variety of habitats,
biotic communities, and
ecological processes in the biosphere,
as well as the tremendous diversity within
ecosystems in terms of habitat differences
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
Species Diversity
the variety of living
organisms on earth
(variously estimated to be
between 5 and 50 million)
only about 1.4 million have
actually been described
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
The Importance of Biodiversity
 the sustainability and well-being of
human beings relies on biodiversity;
 the best illustration is the development of
human civilization;
several important events (agriculture):
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
The Importance of Biodiversity
Food
there are 7500 kinds of eatable plants. Only
approximately 150 are agriculturally
planted by man.
approx. 90% of food sources comes from
about 20 crop species. Only wheat, rice and
corn make up 70%
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
The Importance of Biodiversity
In some developing countries, wildlife is
the main source of protein
Merchandise
Drugs
Fuel
Tourism and recreation and so on
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
The Importance of Biodiversity
Aesthetic and Ethical Values
Organisms also provide recreation,
inspiration, and spiritual solace;
The belief that all organisms have the
right to exist and that humans should not
cause the extinction of other organisms is
known as deep ecology.
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
The Importance of Biodiversity
Religious Values
 biological diversity is valued by
Judeo-Christian religions as
evident in the story of Noah’s
Ark
 (which is considered to be the
first “endangered species
conservation project”)
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
Biodiversity
How much biodiversity is there?
1.4 million species have been described
270,000 flowering plants
950,000 insects
40,000 are vertebrates
majority are small and inconspicuous &
unknown to science
Global Total Species Number
(5 to 50 million)
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
Biodiversity
Each of the species has a specific habitat
needs, occupying specific ecological niche
Swallow
Bat
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
Biodiversity trends
Over Geologic and Historical Time
new species appeared (speciation)
species disappeared (extinction)
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
Biodiversity
Current Diversity: less than would have been
present in the past, due to human impact
Past - elephants, tigers, rhinoceroses, gibbons,
woodpeckers, etc..
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
Indian Tiger
African Elephant
Black Rhino
Asian or Indian Elephant
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
Loss of Biodiversity
Extinct worldwide about - 484 animal and 654
plant species
In danger of becoming extinct - 5400 animal &
26,000 plant species
example: Tropical rainforest - the richest and most
diverse, now clearing at 1.8% p.a.
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
Biodiversity (in HK)
HK is amazingly species-rich
more species than whole of Britain in all groups
460 birds (as compared to 1200 in China)
21 bats (only 30 in whole Europe)
211 butterflies, 104 dragonflies, 73 reptiles, 53
mammals, 22 frogs, 1900 flowering plants
23 amphibians (51 in Guangdong)
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
Biodiversity (in HK)
Some species are endemic - occur no where else, e.g.
Romer’s tree frog
Some globally endangered species - Black-faced spoonbill
(Mai Po Ramsar Site)
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
Biodiversity (in HK)
Country Parks - good coverage of vascular
plants
Marine Parks – good protection of aquatic
resources
SSSI - species rich, but not under active
management, little protection
These promotes conservation (in situ and ex situ)
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
Threat to Biodiversity in Hong Kong
Urbanization & Infrastructure Building
- particularly in NT
Hill fire
Abusive Fishing Practices - explosives
and cyanide fishing
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
Reasons for Decline in Biodiversity
Physical Alteration of Habitats
conversion
fragmentation
simplification
Population Factor - hunting
Pollution - DDT, marine
Introduction of Exotic Species, etc.
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
Consequence of Losing Biodiversity
Life goes on in spite of extinction
Don’t bother, it has happened in geological past
Ecosystem Function - major ecosystem processes
will be affected!!
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
Consequence of Losing Biodiversity
Example:Succession
"a continuous process of
change in vegetation
which can be separated
into a series of phases"
 non-seasonal,
directional change
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
Biodiversity conservation protection
Destruction of biodiversity is directly protected by two
types of law:
 those which protect areas;
those which protect species;
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
Biodiversity conservation protection
The Laws of Protection:
- Country Parks Ordinance was formed in 1976
- To date more than 41000 ha have been designated as
23 Country Parks
SSSIs
 The protection of Endangered Spp. Ordinance
 Wild Animals Protection Ordinance
 Marine Park Ordinance
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
Biodiversity conservation protection
On the international front, there are:
Convention on International Trade in
Endangered Spp. of Wild Fauna and
Flora
Ramsar Convention
Convention on
biological
diversity
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)
Finally,
Plants, animals and insects
survive not because they are the
biggest or strongest but because
they can adapt to the changing
environment…….
Indeed, "The world exists for its own
sake, not for ours. Swallow that pill!"
--Edward Abbey
Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK)