biodiversity recap - unit 9

Biodiversity

The variety of life in an ecosystem, including species, genetic, and ecosystem diversity

Invasive Species Definition

A species that lives and thrives outside its native habitat

Impact of Invasive Species

They threaten native species by outcompeting them for resources

Common Traits of Invasive Species

Generalist, r-selected, fast reproduction, high adaptability

Why Invasive Species Spread Easily

They lack natural predators, parasites, and diseases

Number of Invasive Species in U.S.

Approximately 50,000

Ecological Impact of Invasive Species

Disrupt food webs and reduce biodiversity

Control of Invasive Species

Human intervention such as inspections and removal efforts

Example Prevention Method

Boat checkpoints in national parks

Accidental Introduction

Species introduced unintentionally (e.g., pets released)

Deliberate Introduction

Species introduced intentionally for a purpose

Burmese Python

Accidentally introduced invasive species in Florida Everglades

Zebra Mussel

Introduced to Great Lakes from Europe

Argentina Fire Ant

Example of accidentally introduced invasive species

Asian Tiger Mosquito

Another accidentally introduced invasive species

Kudzu

Deliberately introduced plant to control erosion

European Wild Boar

Example of deliberate introduction

Nutria

Deliberately introduced invasive rodent

Japanese Beetle

Deliberately introduced insect

Endangered Species Definition

Species in danger of extinction

Threatened Species Definition

Species likely to become endangered soon

Example of Endangered Species

Black-footed ferret

Example of Threatened Species

Loggerhead sea turtle

Causes of Endangerment

Hunting, limited diet, invasive species, habitat loss

Selective Pressure

Factors that affect survival and reproduction

Adaptability and Extinction

More adaptable species are less likely to go extinct

Competition in Ecosystems

Species compete for limited resources

Types of Competition

Intraspecific and interspecific

Resources Species Compete For

Food, territory, mates, habitat

Protection Methods

Anti-poaching laws, habitat protection, legislation

Endangered Species Act (ESA)

U.S. law protecting endangered and threatened species

ESA Year

1973

ESA Enforcement Agencies

NMFS and USFWS

NMFS Role

Protects ocean species

USFWS Role

Protects land and freshwater species

ESA Restrictions

Prohibits harming, trading, or destroying habitats of protected species

CITES Treaty

International agreement regulating wildlife trade

CITES Year

1975

Countries in CITES

169

CITES Protected Species

~900 cannot be traded

CITES Restricted Species

~5,000 animals and 28,000 plants

CITES Limitation

Weak enforcement and exemptions by countries

HIPPCO Acronym

Major threats to biodiversity

H in HIPPCO

Habitat destruction and fragmentation

I in HIPPCO

Invasive species

P in HIPPCO (1)

Population growth

P in HIPPCO (2)

Pollution

C in HIPPCO

Climate change

O in HIPPCO

Overexploitation

Habitat Destruction

Complete removal of habitat

Habitat Fragmentation

Breaking habitat into smaller isolated patches

1 Threat to Biodiversity

Habitat destruction

Causes of Fragmentation

Roads, agriculture, logging, pipelines

Fragmentation Impact

Varies depending on species

Invasive Species Threat

Compete with native species for resources

Example Invasive Predator

Red lionfish

Human Population Growth Impact

Increases resource consumption and pollution

Ecological Footprint

Impact humans have on the environment

DDT

Pesticide that caused biomagnification

Biomagnification

Increase of toxin concentration up the food chain

DDT Impact

Weakened bird eggshells

DDT Ban Year

1972

Climate Change Impact

Alters habitats faster than species can adapt

Climate Change Effects

Temperature rise, precipitation change, sea level rise

Species at Risk from Climate Change

Polar bears

Overexploitation

Excessive use of species leading to depletion

Wildlife Smuggling

Illegal trade driven by profit

Animal Death Rate in Smuggling

About 2/3 die in transit

Poaching Incentive

High profits outweigh risks

Domestication Impact

Can reduce biodiversity

Examples of Managed Species

Honeybees and livestock

Baiji Dolphin

First dolphin extinct due to human activity

Baiji Habitat

Yangtze River

Causes of Baiji Extinction

Hunting, pollution, dams, fishing practices

Last Baiji Sighting

2006

Vaquita

Critically endangered marine mammal

Vaquita Population

Fewer than 30 individuals

Vaquita Habitat

Gulf of California

Threats to Vaquita

Illegal fishing and poor fishing practices

Protected Areas

Land set aside to preserve biodiversity

Habitat Corridors

Connect fragmented habitats

Sustainable Land Use

Using resources without depleting them

Habitat Restoration

Rebuilding damaged ecosystems