Biodiversity - Conservation of Biodiversity, Loss of Biodiversity

Biodiversity

The variety of life that exists in a specified area

What are the levels at which biodiversity can be studied?

• Biodiversity can be studied at the level of the:

  • ecosystem (or habitat)

  • species

  • genes

Ecosystem Diversity

The range of different ecosystems, or habitats, within a particular area

Components of species diversity

• species richness = the number of different species

• species evenness = the relative abundance of each species

Genetic Diversity

The number of different alleles of genes present in a species or local population

True or False?

All of the species on Earth have been discovered, named, and described.

False.

There are many species that are yet to be discovered, named and described

True or False?

There are fewer species alive today than in the past.

False.

There are many more species alive today than have been alive in the past. This is shown in fossil evidence

True or False?

The accuracy of species estimates depends on correct classification.

True.

The accuracy of species estimates depends on correct classification, e.g. different species being incorrectly classified together will result in an underestimate of the number of species

Anthropogenic Extinction

Extinction caused by human activities

True or False?

Many scientists argue that we are currently experiencing a mass extinction event.

True.

Many scientists argue that we are currently experiencing a mass extinction event due to human activities

True or False?

The current round of extinctions is the first in Earth's history.

False.

There have been five mass extinction events in the past, so the current round of extinctions could be the sixth mass extinction

Clear-Cutting Deforestation

A practice where all the trees in an area are cut down and removed

True or False?

Human population growth is the overarching cause of biodiversity loss.

True.

While there are multiple causes of biodiversity loss, all result from human population growth

How has human population growth led to biodiversity loss?

Human population growth has resulted in biodiversity loss due to:

• hunting and other forms of over-exploitation

• loss of natural habitat due to urbanisation, deforestation and agriculture

• pollution

• spread of pests and disease

• invasive alien species

In Situ Conservation

Protecting and managing natural ecosystems within their original locations, such as through protected areas, rewilding, and reclamation

True or False?

Rewilding always requires human intervention to be successful.

False.

Rewilding can be either active, involving human intervention, or passive, allowing natural processes to restore ecosystems

Protected Area

A defined geographical region, such as a national park or nature reserve, where human activities are restricted in order to benefit wildlife

Examples of Ex Situ Conservation

• zoos

• botanic gardens

• storage of genetic information in seed or tissue banks

Zoos

Utilize captive breeding programs, scientific research, and reintroductions of species into the wild

Seed Bank

A facility that conserves plant diversity by drying and storing seeds in temperature-controlled conditions to preserve them for future use

True or False?

An increase in biodiversity means the ecosystem is more stable and change resistant

True

Biodiversity is very important for the resilience of ecosystems

Effects of overexploitation

• Environmental degradation

• Resource Depletion

• Climate Change

  • Pollution

  • Deforestation

  • Habitat Loss

• Water Scarcity

• Inequality

• Economic Instability

• Loss of Livelihoods

Habitat Change

The alteration of a natural environment of a species

Causes of Habitat Change

• Natural

  • Floods

  • Fires

• Human

  • Urbanization

  • Deforestation

Effects of Habitat Change

• Disrupted Ecosystems

• Threaten Species

• Reduces Resources

• Fragmenting Population

• Alters Living Conditions

• Eventually leads to biodiversity loss