STS 5A

Biodiversity

is the variability among living organisms from all sources, including terrestrial, marine, and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are part;

It is the variety of life on Earth, in all its forms and all its interactions. Biodiversity is the most complex feature of our planet and it is the most vital. "Without biodiversity, there is no future for humanity."

Genetic Diversity

⚫ variations of genes within a species

lots of distinct populations within a species

⚫ genetic variation within the population as a whole

⚫plays a key role in the overall health of a species, its ability to fight disease and even whether it can easily reproduce

Species Diversity

Species Diversity

the number of species and abundance of each species that live in a particular location

estimated 1.7 million species described to date estimated total number ranges from 2 to 50 million (up to 100 million) species

Ecosystem Diversity

• The variety of ecosystems that are present in the biosphere

• An ecosystem is made up of

interacting populations and the abiotic factors that support them. • All of the ecosystems on Earth support a diverse collection of organisms.

Maintains soil quality

healthy bacteria, algae, fungi, mites, millipedes and worms help cycle nutrients

Maintains air quality

plants purify the air and filter harmful particles out of the air

Maintains water quality

variety of vegetation reduces erosion and purifies water by removing (using or absorbing) nutrients and pollution

Pest control:

most crop pests can be controlled by other organisms for a longer period of time-helpful because many pests become resistant to synthetic pesticides

Pollination and crop production:

More than 1/3 of world's crops rely on healthy pollinators

(Potential) Medicines:

many current and possible future medications found in areas with high biodiversity

5 THREATS OF BIODIVERSITY

Habitat destruction

Invasive species

Population growth

Pollution

Overconsumption

HABITAT DESTRUCTION

•Changing a habitat to suit

human needs...for housing,

farming, etc.

•This displaces animals/plants.

As the human population grows,

so does habitat destruction!

Invasive Species

Any organism that has been relocated somewhere other than its original habitat.

POPULATION GROWTH OF HUMANS

Increasing population means greater demand for food, shelter, fuel and water.

• This often leads to habitat loss, pollution, resource scarcity and overconsumption (in areas with enough money)

•Humans are coming into greater (more frequent) confact with previously wild areas with high biodiversity

Philippines

13th most populated country in the world

POLLUTION

Pollution can alter the habitat to the point where some plants and animals will not be able to adapt.

• Global Climate Change--many species are intolerant to changes in temperature--affects feeding relationships and breeding pattems.

• Acid rain/Air pollution-these types of issues do not respect borders. US acid rain fell in Canada destroying sugar maple forests which upset the amount/quality of maple syrup produced.

OVERCONSUMPTION

• Individuals consuming way more resources than needed to survive-sometimes more than is needed for a high standard of life

• Industrialized nations make up 25% of the world's population, but use 75% of its resources.

PROTECTING BIODIVERSITY

• Stop overharvesting • Sustainable yield & responsible use

• Hunting & fishing laws Renewable Sources of Energy

Protect habitat

Refuges, parks, preserves Endangered Species Act