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Biodiversity and Conservation Chapter 5: p. 116-135 Questions/Main Idea: Notes: detailed explanations and descriptions of topics 5.1: Biodiveristy What is extinction (p. 116) An entire species disappears from the biosphere What is biodiversity and Biodiversity – variety of life in an area, determined by the number of how does it affect the health species of the biosphere? Health of biosphere? Increases stability of ecosystem and contributes to health of biosphere What are 3 types of biodiversity? Genetic diversity Species diversity Ecosystem diversity What is genetic diversity and why is it important? Genetic diversity is the variety of genes present in a population. Increased genetic diversity increases the chances that some individuals of a species will survive during changing environmental conditions or disease outbreaks. What is species diversity and how does it change as you move from poles to equator? (p. 117) The number of species in an area Species diversity increases as you move from poles to equator (many more species live in rainforest than tundra) What is ecosystem diversity? (p. 118) Variety of different types of ecosystems in the biosphere Importance of Biodiveristy: What are 3 reasons to preserve biodiversity? What are some examples of direct economic value of maintaining biodiversity? economic aesthetic scientific We depend on plants and animals for food, clothing, energy, medicine and shelter Use examples of crops and medicines to explain why it is genetic biodiversity might be important to humans (p.118-119) Most crops come from a few species. Wild species provide possible genetic traits to improve crop species. Also, possible medicines and cures from diseases might exist in plant species Indirect Economic Value – What services does a healthy environment provide for us? (at least 6) (p. 120) Oxygen from plants, clean water, cycling nutrients, protection against floods, fertile soil In the example of providing clean water to New York City, what were the 2 alternatives, and which was cheaper/better? 5.2 Threats to Biodiversity What is background extinction? (p. 122) What do some scientists estimate is the current rate of extinction? What is a mass extinction and when was the last one? Factors that threaten biodiversity –How is today’s high rate of extinction different than past mass extinctions? Briefly describe and give an example of each of the following human-induced threats to biodiversity: (p. 124 – 128) Cleaning the watersheds (natural resources) was better and cheaper than building a water filtration system Gradual extinction 1/3 – 2/3 of species might go extinct by the end of the century Scientists estimate the current rate of extinction is 1000 times the normal background extinction rate. When a large percentage of all living things become extinct. 65 million years ago when the dinosaurs went extinct It is primarily human-caused Overexploitation: excessive use, such as bison which were hunted almost to extinction, or the passenger pigeon, which is now extinct. Habitat Loss: loss of a habitat such as deforestation. Clearing of rainforest habitats is especially damaging because it is estimated that half of all species live in tropical rainforests Fragmentation of habitat: Separation of ecosystem into small pieces of land. The smaller the land, the fewer species it can support. And it limits the number of potential mates available, thus limiting the genetic diversity. Continued (Briefly describe and give an example of each of the following human-induced threats to biodiversity) Pollution: Changes in the composition of air, soil or water. Substances, especially human-made chemicals are released into the environment. Biological magnification means the animals at the top of the food chain have more concentrated amounts of the toxic substances Introduced Species: non-native species introduced to an area, usually out-compete native species because they have no natural predators in new environment. 5.3 Conserving Biodiversity Why is a long-term plan for the use and conservation of natural resources important? (p. 129) Briefly describe what humans can do to help conserve biodiversity in the following categories (p. 130 – 135) Because of the rising human population growth and an increased rate of consumption of natural resources, a long term plan is important (so we don’t run out!) Renewable vs. Non-renewable resources: renewable – when it can be replaced by natural processes faster than it is used (solar) nonrenewable: it exists in limited amounts. Sustainable Use: means using resources at a rate in which they can be replaced and recycled while preserving the long-term health of the environment. Protecting areas: Areas where biodiversity can flourish without being abused by human use, ex. National Parks Hot Spots: Areas of interest because certain species only exist in those areas and they have reached critical levels of habitat loss. (about ½ of all species exist in hot spots Corridors: passageways for allowing organisms to move safely from one area to another, between fragmented parcels of land. (Land bridges over highways) Bioremediation: Using living things to detoxify polluted areas. Ex. Microorganisms in soil or water can decontaminate fuel or oil spills Biological augmentation: adding natural predators to combat pests. Ex. Ladybugs eat the aphids that destroy crops Legal protection: Laws and treaties were created to protect biodiversity, such as the Endangered Species Act. What questions do you still have about biodiversity? What other solutions can you come up with to help protect and preserve biodiversity?