Ecosystems (Part 3) & Conservation Biology and Global Change

Why is the phosphorus cycle important?

Its important as phosphorus is a major constituent of nucleic acids, phospholipids, and ATP

What form is the phosphorous cycle seen in?

It is seen in plants where phosphate (PO4 3-), the inorganic form of phosphorus, is taken up

What is the reservoir of the phosphorus cycle?

Sedimentary rock of marine origin is the largest reservoir for phosphorus

What are the key processes in the phosphorus cycle?

• Weathering of rocks

• Assimilation/uptake

• Decomposition

What is weathering of rocks?

It is a process where rocks become a new source of phosphate

What occurs during decomposition in the phosphorus cycle?

Organic phosphorus is broken down by microbes into phosphate

What is the water cycle?

A cycle that is essential for life and plays a major role in the movement of nutrients

What occurs in the water cycle?

1. Precipitation over the ocean occurs where water is turned into its gas form through evaporation on the ocean and through evapotranspiration from the land that is driven by the sun and goes up into the air

2. The water then moves over land by the wind and precipitates over the land, causing the water to fall back down to land into the soil and ground water

3. From the ground water, it moves back into the ocean and repeats the same process

What is biodiversity?

It is the variety of life on earth

What are the 3 levels of biodiversity recognized by scientists?

• Genetic diversity

• Species diversity

• Ecosystem diversity

What is genetic diversity?

It is genetic variation within and between populations

What is species diversity?

It is the number of species in an ecosystem or across the biosphere

What is ecosystem diversity?

It is diversity that focuses on the diversity of interactions between species

What level of biodiversity is typically focused on?

Typically species diversity is focused on,

What can each species potentially provide us with?

With either medicines, food fibers, or fuels

What is over 50% of all modern medicines derived from?

From natural products

What do pharmaceutical companies actively do?

They actively prospect tropical countries for products

How many species do we consume?

we consume around 150 plant species, with there being possible 30,000 to 100,000 edible species

What is diversity in our food supply important for?

It is important for nutrition and food security

What does biodiversity support?

It supports processes that are critical to our survival

What are ecosystem services?

They are the processes by which natural ecosystems help sustain human life

What are some examples of of ecosystem services?

• Purification of air and water

• Detoxification and decomposition of wastes

• Crop pollination done by animals, such as flying fury bats, pest control, and soil preservation

• Moderation of weather extremes and flooding

What is the estimated value of earths ecoysystem services?

It was estimated at 33 trillion per year in 1997

What is an example of an ecosystem service that improves the quality of an abiotic environment?

Plants and phytoplankton producing oxygen that we breath in

What is the current state of biodiversity?

We are losing biodiversity. Extinction is a known natural phenomenon, but the current high rate is concerning

What is conservation biology?

It is biology that integrates many biological fields in an effort to conserve biological diversity locally and globally

What are the four major threats to biodiversity?

• Habitat loss

• Introduced species

• Overharvesting

• Global change

What is the greatest threat to biodiversity?

Habitat loss

What is habitat loss?

it is human alteration of habitat through agriculture, forestry, urban development, mining, and polluion

What is habitat loss the primary cause of?

The primary cause for 73% of species that have become extinct, endangered, or rare in the last few hundred years

What is introduced species?

These are species that humans move from a native location to new geographic regions, intentionally or by accident

How many introduced species are there in the US?

There are 50k introduced species

What are “invasive” species?

Introduced species that spread widely or quickly and cause harm to either the environment, humans, the economy, or other valuable resources

What has introduced species contributed to?

They have contributed to about 40% of worldwide extinction recorded since 1750

What is overharvesting?

It is the harvesting of organisms at rates exceeding the ability of their populations to rebound

Which species are most susceptible to overharvesting?

Species with restricted habitats, such as island species, or low reproductive rates, such as African elephants

What is global change?

It refers to alterations in climate, atmospheric chemistry and broad ecological systems that reduce earth’s capacity to support life

What are examples of global change?

• Acid rain

• Nutrient enrichment

• Pollution (such as plastic pollution)

• Greenhouse gas emissions

• Climate change

How can protected areas be managed in order to preserve biodiversity?

Management of a protected area should be coordinated with management of the land surrounding the area

What are ways that the diversity of life can be protected?

• By restoring or preserving habitats of threatened species

• Ending the overharvesting of species in decline

• Combating climate change and other global environmental changes

• Establishing regional networks of protected areas

• Protecting “hot spots” of high biodiversity