Topic 3

Biodiversity

The variety of life on Earth, divided into species and habitat diversity.

Levels of biodiversity

• Habitat Biodiversity

• Species Diversity

• Genetic Diversity

Habitat Diversity

The range of different habitats/ number of ecological niches per unit area in an ecosystem, community or biome.

Species Diversity

The variety of species per unit area. This includes both the number of species present (richness) and their relative abundance (evenness).

Genetic Diversity

The variety of different inherited traits within a species.

Adaptations

A feature of a species that increases its chance of survival in a specific environment.

Understory

The layer below the canopy layer in a tropical rainforest; made up of young trees, short species of trees, shrubs, and soft-stemmed plants.

Conservation Strategies

A strategy that aims to mitigate or reduce environmental degradation and promote sustainable resource use.

Citizen Science

A situation in which non-scientists collaborate with professional researchers to collect data on the environment.

Parabiologist

Individuals, who receive training in data collection and monitoring techniques so that they can contribute to research by helping professional biologists with routine but specialized tasks.

Fossils

The mineralized remains of plants and animals buried in sediments for thousands of years.

Aeons

The longest geological time unit, spanning billions of years; divided into eras.

Eras

Subdivisions of aeons. They last for millions of years.

Periods

Subdivision of eras. Representing intervals of geological time lasting millions of years.

Epochs

The smallest unit of geologic time, which lasts several million years.

Anthropocene Epoch

A period in which human influence is the dominant source of change to the biosphere.

Evolution

The cumulative change in the heritable characteristics of a population or species.

Heritable Traits

Traits that can be passed from parents to offspring.

Natural Selection

Natural selection is a process through which organisms that have characteristics that enable to have a greater chance to reproduce and pass on beneficial genes to their offspring.

Key Elements of Natural Selection

• Genetic Variation

• Survival of the Fittest

• Reproduction

• Inheritance

Genetic Variations

Every species has individuals with slightly different characteristics. The differences in genes and the make up of DNA.

Survival of the Fittest

Certain variations in species/individuals gives them a better survival chance when the population is too high. These traits can protect them for give them several advantages.

Reproduction

Surviving individual have a greater chance to live longer and produce offspring, which make their species last.

Inheritance

Surviving individuals pass on their beneficial genetic variations (traits) into the next generation. Offspring will have the traits and better chance of survival. The trait will increase in frequency.

Speciation

The formation of new species when populations of a species become isolated geographically or behaviorally, and evolve differently from other populations. Distinct species cannot breed.

Simpson’s Reciprocal Index

A tool that quantitatively measure biodiversity both richness (number of species present) and evenness (abundance).

D = Simpson Diversity Index

N = Total number of inidviduals across species

n= number of individuals of a particular species.

Species

A group of organism that share common characteristics and can produce offsprings.

Direct Threats to Biodiversity

• Overharvesting

• Poaching

• Illegal pet trade

Indirect threats to biodiversity

• Habitat loss (deforestation and urbanization)→ population decline

• Climate change - affect abiotic conditions which species depend

• Pollution - poison storages, causing population decline

• Invasive species: human introduced species that compete with native species.

Invasive species

Non-native organisms introduced into a new ecosystem intentionally or unintentionally by humans.

Invasive Species Threats

• Competition for limited resources - they can outcompete native species

• Predation - some invasive species are predators that can affect prey population.

• Diseases/parasites: they can carry diseases and parasites that can harm native species population.

Tragedy of the Commons

A situation where unmanaged, open-access resources are exploited by individuals and groups. Individuals who jeopardize resources for short-term gain impact long-term viability of the resources collectively for everyone.

Global conservation status

An indication of whether a species still exists and how likely extinction of the species will occur in the near future. They are assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN

IUCN criterias

• number of individuals

• rate of increase/decrease in the population

• breeding potential

• geographic range

• known threats

Role of government in species conservation

• Policy and legislation - enforce laws and regulations

• Resources allocations - government allocate resources to support conservation.

• International agreements - international and treaties that support conservation

Role of businesses in species conservation

• Adopting sustainable practices (reduce habitat destruction, pollution, etc)

• Innovating (creating technologies that aid in conservation)

• Raising consumer awareness (educate customers about conservation)

• Funding conservation projects

Role of NGOs in species conservation

• Funding and expertise - contribute specialized knowledge for conservation.

• Research and monitoring - research to understand species

• Advocacy & Awareness - raise public awareness and advocate through campaigns

Roles of individual species in conservation

• Lifestyle choices - making daily choices that impacts conservation

• Community engagement - take part in community-based conservation efforts.

• Advocacy - they can advocate for conservation policies, participate in citizen science, and volunteer.

Perspective on Conservation

• Sociocultural: highlights the importance of biodiversity in providing for human social well-being (health, recreational, etc).

• Ethical: emphasizes moral responsibility to protect diversity of life.

• Economic: biodiversity in benefitting human needs.

Stakeholder’s involvement in conservation and regeneration

• Individual - reducing their ecological footprint

• Local communities - collaborating to implement conservation projects, create green spaces, advocate.

• Businesses - sustainable practices, funding conservation, raising awareness

• NGOs - funding research, lead conservation, advocacy.

• National Government - enforcing law, supporting research

• International cooperation - sharing knowledge and financial resources.

Ecocentrism conservation strategy

Prioritizing the use of low-intervention, in-situ conservation strategies for biodiversity conservation. Protecting species and ecosystems in their natural habitat without relocating.

In situ conservation strategies

Conservation of a species within its natural habitat.

Anthropocentrism and technocentrism conservation

They view biodivserity through the lens of its instrumental values for human. It is seen as resources, scientific knowledge and economic opportunities. Conservation strategies are more scientific invention (zoos, genebanks).

Species-based conservation

Conservation strategies that focus on the protection and preservation of individual species.

Ex situ strategies

Conservation of a species outside of its natural habitat (e.g. zoos, botanical gardens, seed banks).

Habitat-based conservation

Conservation that focus on protecting the natural environments and habitats of species. In situ strategies involve a range of protected areas free from human intervention.

Habitat rehabilitation

Restoring habitat to its formate state by replanting, repopulating, clearing invasive species, clean waterways and removing harmful structures.

Succession

The process of change over time in an ecosystem.

Mixed conservation approach

There are conservation approach that uses both species and habitat measures. This method often focuses on keystone species or a flagship species.

Flagship species

A “charismatic” species selected as an “ambassador” to raise support and awareness for the conservation of its habitat where other species are also threatened.

Rewilding

A form of ecological restoration that aims to increase biodiversity and restore natural processes. Rewilding involve both passive approach or active management.

Rewilding strategies

• Reintroducing of apex predators and keystone species

• Connecting habitats over large areas

• Stop agriculture and resource harvesting

• Ecological management

Reintroduction of apex predators and keystone species

Apex predator plays a crucial role in regulating prey populations and prevent them from overgrazing.

Connecting habitats over large areas

Restoring and creating wildlife corridors/natural features makes species move more easily over a larger area.

Stop agriculture and resource harvesting

Stopping agriculture and harvesting activity in certain areas restore soil fertility, native plants, natural ecological processes.

Ecological management

Managing practices such as removing invasive species, restoring hydrological cycle, removing dams, directing water course.

Conservation

The act of preserving, protecting or guarding something, such as a species or habitat.

Regeneration

Any process or action that enables a system to renew and recover from damage.