Biodiversity, Succession and Biodiversity, Succession and ResourcesResources

Evolutionary processes have resulted in a DIVERSITY of

organisms and a diversity of roles in ecosystems.

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BIODIVERSITYBIODIVERSITY

• Degree to which Degree to which species species VARYVARY within an within an ecosystemecosystem

• Ask yourself? Ask yourself? • Which of these Which of these

ecosysytems has ecosysytems has more biodiversity?more biodiversity?

• Increased biodiversity increases the stability of an ecosystem.

• Increased biodiversity increases the chance that at least some living things will survive in the face of large changes in the environment.

WHY IS BIODIVERSITY SO IMPORTANT?WHY IS BIODIVERSITY SO IMPORTANT?

• The Back-up plan:The Back-up plan:• ““Backup” organisms - if one species Backup” organisms - if one species

dies due to disease, there is another dies due to disease, there is another one to fill the nicheone to fill the niche

• Maintains stable ecosystemMaintains stable ecosystem:: • If lots of organism, every niche can be If lots of organism, every niche can be

filled! Therefore, stable ecosystem!filled! Therefore, stable ecosystem!

• Benefits Humans!:Benefits Humans!:• Ensures a variety of Ensures a variety of genetic materialgenetic material• VastVast rainforests rainforests may hold may hold curescures, ,

medicinesmedicines and other useful resources!and other useful resources!

Video on Threats to Biodiversity – 26 Video on Threats to Biodiversity – 26 minmin

HOW DO HUMANS REDUCE BIODIVERSITY?HOW DO HUMANS REDUCE BIODIVERSITY?1.1. DEFORESTATION:DEFORESTATION:

• Destruction of forests• IMPACT: Forces many orgs to find

new homes• If cannot adapt, will become

EXTINCTEXTINCT

2.2. OVER HUNTING:OVER HUNTING:• When bounties offered for a certain

species, it can become over hunted EX: LION

• IMPACT: With such a drastic drop, will affect populations of other animals

• EX: DEER POP’N ROSE B/C NO LIONS; DEER OVERGRAZED AND STARVED THEMSELVES

HOW DO HUMANS REDUCE BIODIVERSITY?HOW DO HUMANS REDUCE BIODIVERSITY?

3. CLEARING LAND FOR FARMING AND SPACE:

• Replacing a diverse ecosystem with one or two crops

• IMPACT: Taking away resources for ourselves and other species

4. DIRECT HARVESTING:• Taking species out of natural habitat for our

benefit (wanting unusual pets or plants)• IMPACT: We are reducing the # of those

species in their natural habitat

HOW DO HUMANS REDUCE BIODIVERSITY?HOW DO HUMANS REDUCE BIODIVERSITY?

5. IMPORTED SPECIES :• When a species is imported and released

into a new environment• IMPACT: New species may adapt well and

drive out existing species • EX: Rabbits in Australia

• IMPACT: New species often become pests because they have NO NATURAL PREDATORS• EX: Zebra mussels in NY waterways

Zebra musselZebra mussel

ecological & economic damage

~2 months

reduces diversity loss of food & nesting sites

for animals economic damage

reduces diversity loss of food & nesting sites

for animals economic damage

What is Ecological Succession?What is Ecological Succession?• A series of changes by which one A series of changes by which one habitat habitat

naturally naturally changes into anotherchanges into another

• PROCESS:PROCESS:• Starts with simple habitat w/ little diversityStarts with simple habitat w/ little diversity• CLIMAX COMMUNITYCLIMAX COMMUNITY::

• A stable diverse habitat (ex. Forest)A stable diverse habitat (ex. Forest)• Will be reached if Will be reached if climate remains climate remains stable over a stable over a

number of yearsnumber of years

When does Succession occur?When does Succession occur?1. When environment becomes suitable for another

community:• Grasses grow in shallow soil, but add nutrients as they live

and die• Soil then becomes suitable for shrubs• Shrubs shade out the grasses and take over• Over time, shrubs will be shaded out by trees

2. When natural disasters occur that alter stable ecosystems

• Fires, overgrazing, etc…….• Altered ecosystems will need many successions to

recover

Stage 1: Bare BedrockStage 1: Bare Bedrock

BareBedrock

Stage 2: Lichens growStage 2: Lichens grow

BareBedrock

Bedrock With

Lichens

Stage 3: Mosses growStage 3: Mosses grow

BareBedrock

Bedrock With

Lichens

BedrockWith

Mosses

Stage 4: Grasses growStage 4: Grasses grow

BareBedrock

Bedrock With

Lichens

BedrockWith

Mosses

Grasses

Stage 5: Shrubs and small treesStage 5: Shrubs and small trees

BareBedrock

Bedrock With

Lichens

BedrockWith

Mosses

Grasses

Trees And

Shrubs

Stage 6: Climax Forest (100 – 200 Stage 6: Climax Forest (100 – 200 years without disturbance)years without disturbance)

BareBedrock

Bedrock With

Lichens

BedrockWith

Mosses

Grasses

Trees And

Shrubs

ClimaxForest

Succession can also happen in a Succession can also happen in a lake!lake!

LakeHabitat

Erosion causes

buildup ofOrganic debris in

lake

Lake fills in becoming shallower

and eventually becomes a

swamp

Filling in continues

and eventually a climax forest

results

Friday, June 6, 11:34:32 AMFriday, June 6, 11:34:32 AM

View the process of ecological succession as it occurs in coastal lowlands by clicking on the image

below

What resources can we use over What resources can we use over and over again?and over again?

1. RENEWABLE 1. RENEWABLE RESOURCESRESOURCES•Can be replaced Can be replaced naturallynaturally•Still need to be used carefullyStill need to be used carefully

• EXEX: : Fish are renewable but over harvesting Fish are renewable but over harvesting and damaging environment can inhibit and damaging environment can inhibit renewalrenewal

•Can you name some renewable resources?Can you name some renewable resources?• WaterWater, , foodfood, solar energy, fruits/vegs, , solar energy, fruits/vegs,

Wood, BambooWood, Bamboo

What resources do we use that cannot be What resources do we use that cannot be replaced?replaced?2. NONRENEWABLE RESOURCES2. NONRENEWABLE RESOURCES•Decisions we make today affect what our future Decisions we make today affect what our future will havewill have•Most things we use are being depleted due to Most things we use are being depleted due to industrializationindustrialization and and technologytechnology•Can you list some nonrenewable resources?Can you list some nonrenewable resources?

• Fossil fuels Fossil fuels (coal, (coal, oiloil, natural gas), minerals, natural gas), minerals•PRESERVATION =PRESERVATION = The 3 R’s The 3 R’s

REDUCEREDUCEREUSEREUSE

RECYCLE RECYCLE – – Brain Pop Video Brain Pop Video (3:32)(3:32)

What Can You Do?What Can You Do?

Drive less. Take bikes, walk or carpool whenever possible.

Buy recycled paper products and recycle as much of your waste as possible.

Bring your own reusable canvas grocery bags when grocery shopping.

Planta tree.

Don't let heat escape from your house over a long period.

Replace a regular incandescent light bulb with a compact fluorescent light bulb.