Download Biodiversity: Who cares?

Biodiversity:
Who cares?
Which do you like better?
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Which do you like better?
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Which do you like better?
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Which do you like better?
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Which do you like better?
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Which do you like better?
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Which do you like better?
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What do you think biodiversity
means?
Biodiversity
What does “Bio” mean?
Bio =
Biodiversity
What does “Diversity” mean?
Diversity = Variety
Biodiversity is the variety of life on
Earth
• Scientists have identified more than 30 million species.
Tens of millions -- remain unknown
•The tremendous variety of life on Earth is made possible by
complex interactions among all living things including
microscopic species like algae and bacteria.
There are 3 components of
biodiversity
1.
Diversity of genes
Chihuahuas, beagles, and rottweilers are all dogs—but
they're not the same because their genes are different.
Chihuahua
Beagle
Rottweilers
There are 3 components of
biodiversity
Diversity of species
For example, monkeys, dragonflies, and
meadow beauties are all different species.
Saki Monkey
Golden Skimmer
Meadow Beauty
There are 3 components of
biodiversity
Variety of ecosystems
Prairies, Ponds, and tropical rain forests are all
ecosystems. Each one is different, with its own set of
species living in it.
Paines Prairie
Florida Sand hill Pond
Hoh Rain Forest
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But biodiversity is in danger!
Should we be concerned about
biodiversity?
What we know:
The Earth is losing species at an alarming rate
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Some scientists estimate that as many as 3 species per
hour are going extinct and 20,000 extinctions occur each
year.
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when species of plants and animals go extinct, many
other species are affected.
** Threats to Biodiversity
Habitat Destruction
Pollution
Alien and invasive species
Climate change
Overexploitation
Draining of Wetlands
Which organisms are the most in
danger ?
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25 % of mammals
are in danger…
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… as well as 11% of birds …
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… and 34% of fish!
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A number of species
have already
become extinct!
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Humans represent the biggest threat.
What affects biodiversity in an
ecosystem?
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** Extreme conditions decrease
biodiversity.
There are fewer species in areas that are
extremely hot or cold or in areas that are
very dry or acidic.
What do we get from
biodiversity?
Oxygen
Food
Clean Water
Medicine
Aesthetics
Ideas
** Why preserve biodiversity?
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Medical and Economic potential
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Green plants help remove access CO2 from the
atmosphere and release O2 into the atmosphere. This
helps to decrease the effects of global warming.
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To satisfy human needs – hunting, fishing, agriculture
– we need biodiversity for our food.
Food chains and ecosystems.
** What can we do?
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Buy local – meat, fruits and vegetables
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Reduce the use of pesticides and fertilizers.
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Conserve energy – lower the heat in your house, turn of
your lights and electronics when not in use, etc.
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Start using reusable shopping bags instead of plastic bags!
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Reuse, reduce and recycle!
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Carpool, public transit, walk and bike!
Which is more diverse?
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Which is more diverse?
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Which is more diverse?
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Which is more diverse?
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Which has more cultural
diversity?
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B
Which has more biodiversity?
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Which has more biodiversity?
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B
Video
To do:
Second side of your sheet – Biodiversity and
Sustainability
Answers
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Video – Madagascar – Biodiversity Hot Spot
(~1 hr)
Video - Biodiversity Video