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The Importance
of Biological
Relationships:
Assessing the issues with
London’s Biodiversity using
the Chimney Swift
Biological Relationships within Ecosystems
• There are several different types of biological relationships within
ecosystems, all of which contribute and maintain a natural
balance.
• A natural balance is vital to the survival of all species, including us.
• Some examples of relationships within an ecosystem are:
– Biotic relationships (competition, predation, symbiosis)
– Rhythmic relationships (migration, hibernation, diurnal, and nocturnal)
– Succession relationships (primary and secondary)
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Relationships
• An example of relationships
within ecosystems is a food
web.
• The food web is currently
balanced however what do
you think would happen if:
1.
2.
3.
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The grizzly bear was over
hunted
The marmot went extinct
The butterfly no longer
existed
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Biodiversity
What is Biodiversity ?
Biodiversity is the variety of life in a
specific ecosystem.
Biodiversity can be studied on a small
scale, studying one specific species in
one specific area, or focused more
broadly, such as the study of Canadian
mammals.
Can you think of an example of a small
scale study? And one of a larger scale
study?
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Biodiversity
• Biodiversity is one of the most difficult areas to study in
science as the relationships are extremely connected and
delicate.
• It is difficult to identify where relationships begin and end
and which species affect one another.
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Why does Biodiversity Matter?
• Without biodiversity a variety
of organisms, ecosystems, and
natural processes would not
exist
– E.g.; the production of air, the
cycling of carbon and nitrogen
• Humans are a part of and
dependent on ecosystems
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Why does Biodiversity
Matter ?
• Biodiversity is very important for the following reasons:
– Species are:
1.
2.
3.
Less likely to suffer from genetic diseases
More resistant to viral and bacterial infections
More likely to be adaptable to environmental change
– Ecosystems have:
1.
2.
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A greater ability to provide further ecosystem services
The ability to increase diversity between and among different species
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Biodiversity in London
• Within the city and its surrounding areas there are a
lot of different ecosystems which range from small
neighborhoods to large conservation areas
• London also has 8 environmentally significant areas
which are home to many diverse species and a
variety of unique ecosystem relationships
– Can you name an environmentally significant area near
your home?
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London’s Biodiversity
Status
• What do you think is the current status of biodiversity in
London?
• London currently suffers from a high rate of urbanization
•
Urbanization: rapid and massive growth of and migration to large cities
• Urbanization causes:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
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High concentrations of populations
High energy consumption
Negative interactions with surrounding environments
Pollution
Heat islands
Flooding
Destruction of natural ecosystems
A decrease in biodiversity within the surrounding ecosystem
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A Local Biodiversity
Issue:
THE CHIMNEY
SWIFT
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The Chimney Swift
• The chimney swift is a
12-15 cm bird with a
wingspan of 27-30 cm
• Swifts are acrobatic and
able to catch insects
during flight making
them “aerial
insectivores”
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The Chimney Swift
• The Swift lives in both
urban and rural areas
• Enjoys nesting in
vertical structures like
chimneys, air vents,
wells, and caves
• They spend the summer
in Canada and the
winter in Peru and Chile
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The Chimney Swift
• Each pair raises 3-5
nestlings during their
breeding season
• Adults use sticks and gluelike saliva to create nests for
their young in vertical
structures
• The eggs take 16-21 days to
hatch and then babies stay
in the nest till they are 1419 days old
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Chimney Swift Flight
• The movement of a
chimney swift is similar
to how a fighter jet
moves.
• The chimney swift is
named after its ability
to quickly move through
the air and in smaller
spaces.
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How to Identify a Chimney Swift
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
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Size and shape
Colour pattern
Behaviour
Habitat
Song
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Why Chimney Swifts?
• Chimney Swifts are one of
London’s many native species
• Populations have reduced by 65%
• Only 1% of the population now
lives in Canada
• The Chimney Swift is currently on
the Species at Risk in Ontario list
and is listed as “Threatened”
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Why Is The Population Declining ?
• Why do you think the
population is declining?
– Chimney capping
– Logging of old growth
forests
– Use of pesticides
– Lack of diversity within
the population
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Why Is The Chimney Swift Important?
• It is one of many essential species in London’s
ecosystems.
• Contributes to an increased rate of biodiversity.
• Species decline widely affects other species as they
are an important link in the food chain and in the
ecosystem.
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Analyzing Chimney Swift Data
• Using the data provided, analyze the population
data of Chimney Swifts in Ontario
• Use the data to draw conclusions surrounding their
habitat and population characteristics
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Case Study: Choose
Your Own
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What did you think about the lesson?
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•
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What did you learn?
What did you love?
What do you want to learn more about?
What was boring?
How would you make the lesson better?
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