Download Biodiversity Loss

Biodiversity Loss
Presented by
Jim Jackson
Debbie Lynch
Biodiversity Loss
CAUSES
ETHICS
SOLUTIONS
Yes, that is the Carolina Parakeet.
Biodiversity Defined
Population Diversity
Size of overall
population
Size and Numbers of
local populations
Distribution
Genetic makeup
Better for analyzing
biodiversity loss
Species Diversity
Differences between
species
Most often used to
quantify biodiversity
loss
More studies completed
in this area
Presentation focus
Rosy Periwinkle.
What is Natural?
Compared to…


Average Species lives for 4 million years
One mammal per 1000 years


One bird per 500 years


80 mammals in 400 years
115 birds in 400 years
One reptile or amphibian every 400 years

123 fish in 100 years (in America alone)
Biodiversity Loss
•Overexploitaion
CAUSES
•Invasive
Species
•Habitat Loss
Biodiversity Loss
CAUSES
Overexploitation
Death rate > Birth rate
Steller’s Seacow
–Hunted for profit/food
Passenger Pigeon
–Hunted as a pest
Biodiversity Loss
CAUSES
Invasive Species
Affects 49% of threatened or
endangered species in America
10% rule:
10% of introduced species take,
10% of species that take become
invasive
McDonaldization
Biodiversity Loss
CAUSES
Invasive Species
Linear relationship between diversity
of species and landmass
If the earth was a single landmass, we
would lose 66% of mammal diversity & 48%
bird diversity

Biodiversity Loss
CAUSES
Invasive Species
Predation
Ex:
Cats vs. New Zealand ground birds
Biodiversity Loss
CAUSES
Invasive Species
Competition & Habitat Alteration
Ex: Knapweed!
Biodiversity Loss
CAUSES
Invasive Species
Hybridization
Ex. Native Mediterranean White Duck
vs. more numerous Ruddy Duck
+
=
Biodiversity Loss
CAUSES
Invasive Species
Disease Vectors
Colonization
of the Americas
Biodiversity Loss
CAUSES
Habitat Loss
Affects 85% of threatened or
endagered species in America
Area the size of South America is
planted with crops
175 billion pounds of nitrogen & tons of
pesticide applied annually
Biodiversity Loss
CAUSES
Habitat Loss
Logging forests
Overharvesting
Water
=> habitat loss
manipulation
Damns,
irrigation
Biodiversity Loss
•Life is Sacred
•Economics Costs/Benefit
•$30 trillion worth of services
•Costs US $137 billion to fight
invasive species annually
•Future Benefits
•Medicines
•It’s Cool
ETHICS
Biodiversity Loss
Every Species Has Its Natural
Environment
Species that are capable
SOLUTIONS
Species that live in a
specific area are
ENDEMICS.
of living in a variety of
environments are
GENERALISTS.
Endemics are more likely to be affected by change.
Biodiversity Loss
SOLUTIONS
Protecting Biodiversity
Priorities
Econimically
•It is economically
advantageous to protect
biodiversity
Ecologically
•By protecting
biodiversity, it will prevent
ecological problems
Secondary
Emotional Attachment
•By protecting nature for
nature’s sake provides
intrinsic value to
biodiversity
Biodiversity Loss
SOLUTIONS
Economical
In Costa Rica, a
preserve was
established to
preserve biodiversity
for economic
reasons


Ecotourism
Pharmaceuticals
Biodiversity Loss
SOLUTIONS
Ecological
Keystone species are
species that are
crucial to the
structure of the entire
ecosystem. Without
keystone species,
ecosystems could not
function well.
Biodiversity Loss
SOLUTIONS
Intrinsic Value
First Lady Laura Bush has
begun to restore their
Crawford Texas ranch with
native species of grasses.
By restoring the native
vegetation, Laura hopes to
restore the natural habitat
of a variety of species.
Biodiversity Loss
SOLUTIONS
Methods of Preservation
In Situ
Habitat Conservation
Regulation of Land Use
Protecting Species
Ex Situ
Captive Breeding
Zoological Parks
Botanical Gardens
Biodiversity Loss
SOLUTIONS
Irian Jaya’s Reserve System
In designing the Irian
Jaya reserves, the
Indonesian government
considers
 Habitat
 Biogeography
 Area
Biodiversity Loss
SOLUTIONS
The Black Footed Ferret
With an extremely small
population, these
ferrets were captured
in order to reestablish
a viable population.
Biodiversity Loss
SOLUTIONS
Cost/Benefits of Protecting
Biodiversity

Opportunity Costs
Biodiversity Loss
SOLUTIONS
Opportunity Costs
Management
 Maintenance
 Future Benefits
 Economic Value
