Biology 112 - Bioddiversity & Conservation

Biodiversity

The variety of life at all levels of biological organization

Genetic Diversity

Variation of genes within a species.

Species Diversity

Variation between species; includes richness + evenness.

Ecosystem Diversity

Diversity of habitat types within a region.

eDNA

DNA collected from environmental samples (soil, water, ice, sediments).

Uses of eDNA

Detects species presence, including extinct or rare species.

Species Richness

Number of species in a community.

Species Evenness

How evenly individuals are distributed among species.

Phylogenetic Diversity

Evolutionary distinctiveness measured by branch lengths in a phylogeny.

Functional Diversity

Ecological distinctiveness measured by functional traits of species.

Species Richness Distribution

Not evenly distributed; highest in tropics.

Biodiversity Hotspot

Region with many endemic species + high habitat loss.

Endemic Species

Species native to one specific location.

Cosmopolitan Species

Species with wide geographic distribution.

Critically Endangered

Extremely high risk of extinction.

Endangered Species

Very high risk of extinction.

Vulnerable Species

High risk of extinction.

Near Threatened

Close to qualifying for threatened category.

Least Concern Species

Low risk of extinction.

Data Deficient

Insufficient information to assess risk.

Habitat Destruction & Degradation

Conversion of natural habitat.

• Ex. Forests → agriculture

Overexploitation

Unsustainable harvesting; major threat to marine predators.

• Ex. Extreme tuna finishing leading to no food to tuna fish predators

Invasive Species

Non‑native species that spread rapidly and harm native species.

Pollution

Chemical contaminants harming ecosystems, especially aquatic.

Climate Change

Alters temperature, precipitation, and ecological interactions.

Edge Effect

Changes in population or community structure at habitat boundaries.

Fragmentation

Breaking large habitats into smaller patches; reduces habitat quality.

Biomass ….. at forest edges.

Biomass declines sharply at forest edges.

Species–Area Curve

Species richness increases with habitat area.

• Formula: S = cA^z (species richness increases with area).

Large Wild Areas

~26.5% of land.

Shared Lands

~55.7% of land.

Cities & Farms

~17.7% of land.

Range Shifts

Species move to more favorable climates

• Ex. Grizzlies moving north currently due to weather getting warmer from global warming

Phenology Shifts

Changes in timing of seasonal events

• Ex. Mismatched flowering).

Evolutionary Adaptation

Allele frequency changes improving fitness

• Ex. Ladybird beetle morphs).

Extinction

Species unable to adapt to new conditions.

Ocean Acidification

CO₂ absorption lowers pH, eroding shells and coral skeletons.

• Chemical reaction: CO₂ + H₂O → H₂CO₃ → H⁺ + HCO₃⁻ (extra H⁺ lowers pH).

Nitrogen Fixation

Bacteria convert N₂ → NH₃.

Nitrification

NH₄⁺ → NO₂⁻ → NO₃⁻ by bacteria.

Denitrification

NO₃⁻ → N₂ by bacteria.

Ammonification

Organic nitrogen → NH₄⁺.

Phosphate Source

Weathering of rocks releases PO₄³⁻.

Bidiversity cycles through….

Soil, water, and food webs.

Dead Zone

Area with low oxygen due to nutrient pollution (N & P), causing mass die‑offs.

Ecosystem Function

Combined interconnected process of biological, chemical, and physical processes (NPP, nutrient cycling, decomposition).

Functional Groups

Species grouped by ecological role

• Ex. Herbivores, detritivores

Biodiversity & Ecosystem Productivity Experiment Hypothesis & Result

• Hypothesis: Net Primary Productivity increases with species richness and functional diversity.

• Result: Higher richness and more functional groups → higher biomass.

Named Species (species humans know of) amount

~1.5 million eukaryotes described.

Amount of species (predicted species)

~10–13 million total.

Taxon‑Specific Approach

Measuring and monitoring specific identified groups of organisms (taxa)

All‑Taxa Approach

Cataloging all species in a region.

Census of Marine Life Duration & Outcome

• Duration: 10 years, 80 countries.

• Outcome: 1,200+ new marine species discovered.

Education campaigns lead to……

Reduced harmful practices

• Ex. Shark finning

Genetic Restoration

Introduce individuals to increase gene flow

• Ex. Florida panthers and Texas pathers breeding

Seed Banks

Store seeds to preserve genetic diversity

• Ex. Svalbard Vault in Norway (safety seeds in case the world were to end)

Ex Situ Conservation

Captive breeding of endangered species and reintroduction to wildlife

• Captive breeding: Breeding endangered species in controlled environments like zoos and wildlife centers to prevent extinction

Wildlife Corridors

Reconnect fragmented habitats.

Protected Areas

No‑catch zones, national parks.

Invasive Species Management

Barriers, ballast water rules.

Threatened Species Management

Recovery plans

• Ex. Bald eagle)

Ecosystem Restoration Steps

Reforestation & habitat rebuilding.

Quantifying Ecosystem Services

Scientific or economic measurement of the benefits nature provides.

Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES)

• Part of the Qaunitfying Ecosystem Services

• Voluntary, conditional transactions where landowners or managers are compensated by beneficiaries for adopting practices that secure or enhance ecosystem service

CITES (Legislation)

Regulates international trade of ~33,000 species.

Migratory Bird Treaty Act (Legislation)

Protects 800+ bird species; illegal to kill or disturb them.

Endangered Species Act (U.S. Legislation)

Requires recovery plans for listed species.

Marine Mammal Protection Act (U.S. Legislation)

First ecosystem‑based marine management law; protects marine mammals.