Download Biodiversity Overview 2

BIODIVERSITY
What is BIODIVERSITY?
The number of different
species in an area.
The Value of Biodiversity
Why is biodiversity important?
ECONOMIC VALUE
• Provide food
• Raw materials for
clothing, medicine and
other products
• Ecotourism is a source
of jobs and money
The Value of Biodiversity
Why is biodiversity important?
ECOLOGICAL VALUE
• Species depend on each
other for food and
shelter.
• Nature is a delicate
balance. The well-being
of one species effects the
well-being on many
others. (KEYSTONE
SPECIES)
Factors Affecting Biodiversity
•
AREA – Larger areas contain more species than
smaller areas.
• CLIMATE – The number of species increases from the
poles toward the equator.
• NICHE DIVERSITY – An ecosystem that supports
many different niches for organisms to live in will have
more diversity than an ecosystem that has limited niche
space.
Biodiversity “Hot Spots”
Coral Reefs
2nd Most Diverse ecosystem
in the World.
Tropical Rain
Forests
Most Diverse ecosystem
in the World.
Gene Pool Diversity
•
Diversity within a species is just as important
as diversity within an ecosystem.
•
The organisms in a healthy population have a
diversity of traits in appearance and
behavior.
•
The organisms in one species share many
genes but each organism also has some genes
that differ from those of other individuals.
•
Species with a rich “gene pool” are better
adapted for survival.
Extinction of Species
•
EXTINCTION – Has
disappeared from
Earth.
•
ENDANGERED –
Could become
extinct in the near
future.
•
THREATENED –
Could become
endangered in the
near future.
Causes of Extinction
NATURAL EVENTS
earthquake or volcanic eruption
Causes of Extinction
HUMAN ACTIVITIES
habitat destruction, poaching
or pollution
Causes of Extinction
EXOTIC SPECIES
introduced, invasive or non-native
Protecting Biodiversity
CAPTIVE BREEDING
The mating of animals in zoos or
wildlife preserves.
Protecting Biodiversity
LAWS AND TREATIES
Laws protect individual species and
treaties protect wildlife and land.
Protecting Biodiversity
HABITAT PRESERVATION
Protection of whole ecosystems.