BIODIVERSITY An introduction to biodiversity. Summer 2010 Workshop in Biology and Multimedia for High School Teachers

BIODIVERSITY BIODIVERSITY An introduction to biodiversity.An introduction to biodiversity.

Summer 2010 Workshop

in Biology and Multimedia

for High School Teachers

ContentsContents

Overview of BiodiversityOverview of Biodiversityo DefinitionDefinitiono How to measureHow to measureo ImportanceImportanceo Factors affecting itFactors affecting it

• PromotingPromoting• ThreatsThreats

o Conserving BiodiversityConserving Biodiversity

Harvard University Life Sciences - HHMI Outreach Summer 2010 Workshop for Biology Teachers

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Fungi_of_Saskatchewan.JPG

BiodiversityBiodiversity

DefinitionsDefinitionso Basic: Basic:

• Variation of life in an areaVariation of life in an areao Global: from the UN Convention Global: from the UN Convention

on Biological Diversityon Biological Diversity• ““Variability among living Variability among living

organisms from all sources, organisms from all sources, including, including, inter alia,inter alia, terrestrial, terrestrial, marine, and other aquatic marine, and other aquatic ecosystems, and the ecological ecosystems, and the ecological complexes of which they are complexes of which they are part: this includes diversity within part: this includes diversity within species, between species and of species, between species and of ecosystems.”ecosystems.”


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Blue_Linckia_Starfish.JPG

BiodiversityBiodiversity DefinitionsDefinitions

o Let’s make our own definition:Let’s make our own definition:• The variation of living things The variation of living things

either within a population, either within a population, between populations or within an between populations or within an ecosystem(s).ecosystem(s).

o Biodiversity takes into account Biodiversity takes into account the variation ofthe variation of• Species diversitySpecies diversity

• Ecosystem diversityEcosystem diversity

• Genetic diversityGenetic diversity

• Molecular diversityMolecular diversity


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Forest_fruits_from_Barro_Colorado.png

MeasurementMeasurement

Any measurement of biodiversity needs to Any measurement of biodiversity needs to take into account:take into account:o Species RichnessSpecies Richness

• The number of species in a given areaThe number of species in a given areao Species EvennessSpecies Evenness

• The amount of individuals within each of those The amount of individuals within each of those speciesspecies

A high biodiversity measurement = Good A high biodiversity measurement = Good Ecosystem health Ecosystem health


Measurement ExampleMeasurement Example

Simpson IndexSimpson Indexo Simple Index to useSimple Index to useo Compares the # of species of a population to the Compares the # of species of a population to the

total populationstotal populations

Diversity=Diversity=(number of one species/total number of (number of one species/total number of

species)species)22

OROR

D=(n/N)D=(n/N)22


Importance-EcologicalImportance-Ecological

A healthy ecosystem:A healthy ecosystem:o Recycles nutrientsRecycles nutrientso Purifies waterPurifies watero Habitat for organismsHabitat for organismso Recover and withstands disastersRecover and withstands disasters

• From disease or climateFrom disease or climate


Importance-HumansImportance-Humans

A healthy ecosystem provides:A healthy ecosystem provides:o AgricultureAgriculture

• A greater variety of crops allow for a A greater variety of crops allow for a system-wide recovery when attacked system-wide recovery when attacked and help to slow the spread of and help to slow the spread of pathogenspathogens


oMedicine•50%of drugs in the US are derived from biological resources•80% of medicine worldwide is from biological sources

From:Chivian E. & Bernstein A. (eds), 2008. Sustaining Life: How Human Health Depends on Biodiversity

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Rosy_periwinkle.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Julieagroecosystem.jpg

Rosy Periwinkle Fights Cancer

Importance-Importance-HumansHumans

A healthy A healthy ecosystem ecosystem provides:provides:o IndustryIndustry

• Building materialsBuilding materials• FibersFibers• OilsOils• DyesDyes

o LeisureLeisure• Outdoor activitiesOutdoor activities


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Skovarbejder.jpg

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Karachi_-_Pakistan-market.jpg

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:River_Teign,_kayaker_in_the_distance.jpg

Biodiversity DistributionBiodiversity Distribution

Biodiversity depends on:Biodiversity depends on:o ClimateClimateo AltitudeAltitudeo SoilSoilo Other speciesOther species

Harvard University Life Sciences - HHMI Outreach Summer 2010 Workshop for Biology Teachershttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fritillaria_biflora2353293201.jpg

The Chocolate Lily is endemic to California

Biodiversity Hot Spots

oTropical Forest

oHigh level of endemic species

oSpecialized habitats

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Castillejamollis.JPG

Softleaf Indian Paintbrush

Biodiversity DistributionBiodiversity Distribution

Myers, N., et al. (2000) "Biodiversity hotspots for conservation priorities." Nature 403:853–858

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Biodiversity_Hotspots.svg

Species numbersSpecies numbers

1.9 million species found to date1.9 million species found to date

Difficult to measure total Difficult to measure total numbers of species because:numbers of species because:o Only know a portion alreadyOnly know a portion alreadyo Little understanding of our worldLittle understanding of our worldo Wiping out species at an Wiping out species at an

unprecedented rateunprecedented rate

http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2005/sep/25/taxonomy.conservationandendangeredspecies

o Extinct species not foundExtinct species not foundo Habitats not accessibleHabitats not accessible

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:P_anguinus-head.jpg

Olm

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Snottite.jpg

Cave Bacteria




Current species discovered vs. those yet to be Current species discovered vs. those yet to be discovered discovered

http://www.lemonde.fr/archives/article/2006/06/27/protection-de-la-biodiversite-un-inventaire-difficile_788741_0.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Undiscovered_species_chart.png


ThreatsThreats

Means of decreasing biodiversityMeans of decreasing biodiversity

Major threats are:Major threats are:o Habitat destructionHabitat destructiono Invasive speciesInvasive specieso Pollution Pollution

• Environment Environment • GeneticGenetic

o Overuse of natural resourcesOveruse of natural resourceso Climate changeClimate change


Loss of biodiversityLoss of biodiversity


1979 1991 2002

Great Aletsch Glacier in Switzerland showing a retreat of the ice

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Gletscherschmelze.jpg

Loss of biodiversityLoss of biodiversityOld Growth Second Growth


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Old_Growth_vs_Second_Growth.jpg

Loss of biodiversityLoss of biodiversity

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bufo_periglenes1.jpg

Golden Toad

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Spanish_ibex.jpg

Pyrenean Ibex

Baiji Dolphin

http://species.wikimedia.org/wiki/Lipotes_vexillifer

Extinct 1989 Extinct 2000

Extinct 2006


ConservationConservation

Ideas to save biodiversityIdeas to save biodiversityWhat’s your plan?What’s your plan?


Documents

BIODIVERSITY An introduction to biodiversity. Summer 2010 Workshop in Biology and Multimedia for High School Teachers