Chapter 10Chapter 10Section 1:Section 1: What Is BiodiversityWhat Is Biodiversity

ObjectivesObjectives

DescribeDescribe the diversity of species types on the diversity of species types on Earth, relating the difference between Earth, relating the difference between known numbers and estimated numbers.known numbers and estimated numbers.

ListList and describe three levels of and describe three levels of biodiversity.biodiversity.

ExplainExplain four ways in which biodiversity is four ways in which biodiversity is important to ecosystems and humans.important to ecosystems and humans.

AnalyzeAnalyze the potential value of a single the potential value of a single species.species.

I. What is Biodiversity?I. What is Biodiversity? A. A World Rich in BiodiversityA. A World Rich in Biodiversity BiodiversityBiodiversity – short for biological – short for biological

diversity – refers to the number and diversity – refers to the number and variety of different species in a given variety of different species in a given areaarea

certain areas of the planet such as certain areas of the planet such as tropical rain forests contain an tropical rain forests contain an extraordinary variety of speciesextraordinary variety of species

A World Rich in BiodiversityA World Rich in Biodiversity

Study of biodiversity starts with the unfinished Study of biodiversity starts with the unfinished task of cataloging all the species that exist on task of cataloging all the species that exist on EarthEarth

actual number of species is unknown – probably actual number of species is unknown – probably somewhere greater than 10 millionsomewhere greater than 10 million

many unknown species exist in remote many unknown species exist in remote wilderness, deep in the ocean, and even in citieswilderness, deep in the ocean, and even in cities

some types of species are harder to study and some types of species are harder to study and receive less attention than large, familiar speciesreceive less attention than large, familiar species

less is known about insects and fungi than is less is known about insects and fungi than is known about trees and mammals known about trees and mammals

Unknown DiversityUnknown Diversity

3 levels of biodiversity3 levels of biodiversity 1. species diversity1. species diversity – all the – all the

differences between populations of differences between populations of species as well as between different species as well as between different speciesspecies

this is what is most often meant by this is what is most often meant by biodiversity biodiversity

3 levels of biodiversity3 levels of biodiversity 2. ecosystem diversity2. ecosystem diversity – refers to the – refers to the

variety of habitats, communities, and variety of habitats, communities, and ecological processes within and ecological processes within and between ecosystemsbetween ecosystems

3. genetic diversity3. genetic diversity – all the different – all the different genes contained within all the members genes contained within all the members of a populationof a population

genegene – a piece – a piece of DNA that of DNA that codes for a codes for a specific trait specific trait that can be that can be inherited by an inherited by an organism’s organism’s offspringoffspring

B. Benefits of BiodiversityB. Benefits of Biodiversity Biodiversity can affect the stability of Biodiversity can affect the stability of

an ecosystem and the sustainability an ecosystem and the sustainability of populations.of populations.

Many ways humans clearly use and Many ways humans clearly use and benefit from the variety of life-forms benefit from the variety of life-forms on Earthon Earth

Species are connected to ecosystems Species are connected to ecosystems

B. Benefits of BiodiversityB. Benefits of Biodiversity

we depend on healthy ecosystems to we depend on healthy ecosystems to ensure a healthy biosphere that has ensure a healthy biosphere that has balanced cycles of energy and balanced cycles of energy and nutrientsnutrients

each species plays an role in keeping each species plays an role in keeping the cycles balanced, when one the cycles balanced, when one species disappears from an species disappears from an ecosystem a strand in a food web is ecosystem a strand in a food web is removedremoved

keystone specieskeystone species – species that are – species that are particularly critical to the functioning particularly critical to the functioning of an ecosystemof an ecosystem

The grazing and burrowing activities of prairie dogs improve forage quality, conserve water, and improve the soil in the Great Plains.

How?

Sea Otters as an Example of a Sea Otters as an Example of a Keystone SpeciesKeystone Species

Sea Otters Sea Otters classic keystone speciesclassic keystone species

1. European and Russian trappers hunt sea otters to 1. European and Russian trappers hunt sea otters to near extinction in the 18th and 19th centuries. near extinction in the 18th and 19th centuries.

2. The decline of the sea otters, which are essential 2. The decline of the sea otters, which are essential to keeping sea urchins in check, allows sea urchin to keeping sea urchins in check, allows sea urchin populations to explode. populations to explode.

3. The burgeoning sea urchins feast on and 3. The burgeoning sea urchins feast on and decimate the kelp beds, which are critical habitat decimate the kelp beds, which are critical habitat for spawning fish. for spawning fish.

4. Fish begin to decline for lack of spawning habitat; 4. Fish begin to decline for lack of spawning habitat; this affects fishermen's catches. this affects fishermen's catches.

5. Finally, an international treaty is enacted to 5. Finally, an international treaty is enacted to protect sea otters. protect sea otters.

6. In areas where the otters recovered, urchin 6. In areas where the otters recovered, urchin populations are once again kept down, the kelp populations are once again kept down, the kelp beds recover, fish nurseries recover, and fish beds recover, fish nurseries recover, and fish catches rise again. catches rise again.

the level of genetic diversity within a population the level of genetic diversity within a population is a critical factor in species survivalis a critical factor in species survival

genetic variation increases the chance that some genetic variation increases the chance that some members of a population will survive members of a population will survive environmental pressures or changesenvironmental pressures or changes

small or isolated populations are less likely to small or isolated populations are less likely to survivesurvive

when a population shrinks its genetic diversity when a population shrinks its genetic diversity decreases like passing through a decreases like passing through a bottleneckbottleneck

if the population restores its numbers, there will if the population restores its numbers, there will be inbreeding with fewer varieties of genes, be inbreeding with fewer varieties of genes, making the new population more susceptible to making the new population more susceptible to genetic diseasesgenetic diseases

Species and Population SurvivalSpecies and Population Survival

Medical, Industrial, and Agricultural Medical, Industrial, and Agricultural usesuses

Organisms on earth are used for food, Organisms on earth are used for food, clothing, shelter, and medicineclothing, shelter, and medicine

1/4 of the drugs prescribed today come 1/4 of the drugs prescribed today come from plantsfrom plants

antibiotics are derived from chemicals antibiotics are derived from chemicals found in fungifound in fungi

undiscovered and poorly studied species undiscovered and poorly studied species represent a source of potential productsrepresent a source of potential products

Rosy Periwinkle - native to Madagascar, has yielded compounds used to treat Hodgkin's disease and leukemia.

Aspirin originally was derived by boiling the bark of the white willow tree to extract acetylsalicylic acid

Paclitaxel (Taxol) is a valuable pharmaceutical compound used to treat cancer, Alzheimer's and heart disease – Derived from the Pacific Yew

Humans benefit from biodiversity Humans benefit from biodiversity every time they eatevery time they eat

most of the crops produced around the most of the crops produced around the world originated from a few areas of high world originated from a few areas of high biodiversitybiodiversity

most new crops are most new crops are hybridshybrids – crops – crops developed by combining genetic material developed by combining genetic material from other populationsfrom other populations

reduces genetic diversity of wild-typesreduces genetic diversity of wild-types depending on too few crops for food is depending on too few crops for food is

risky – especially when wiped out by risky – especially when wiped out by disease – it can lead to faminedisease – it can lead to famine

Foods and their Foods and their originsorigins

Further Benefits of BiodiversityFurther Benefits of Biodiversity Ethics, Aesthetics, and RecreationEthics, Aesthetics, and Recreation Some people believe we should preserve Some people believe we should preserve

biodiversity for ethical reasonsbiodiversity for ethical reasons species and ecosystems have a right to exist species and ecosystems have a right to exist

whether or not they have any other valuewhether or not they have any other value some cultures and religions feel each organism some cultures and religions feel each organism

on Earth is a gift with a higher purposeon Earth is a gift with a higher purpose aesthetics or personal enjoyment is another aesthetics or personal enjoyment is another

reason to preserve biodiversityreason to preserve biodiversity keeping pets, camping, picking wildflowers, keeping pets, camping, picking wildflowers,

watching wildlifewatching wildlife

ecotourismecotourism – a form of tourism that – a form of tourism that supports the conservation and supports the conservation and sustainable development of sustainable development of ecologically unique areasecologically unique areas

some regions earn the majority of some regions earn the majority of their income from ecotourismtheir income from ecotourism

BellringerBellringer

II. Biodiversity at RiskII. Biodiversity at Risk

A. Current ExtinctionsA. Current Extinctions Scientists are warning that we are in Scientists are warning that we are in

the midst of another mass extinctionthe midst of another mass extinction the rate of extinction is estimated to the rate of extinction is estimated to

increase by a multiple of 50 since increase by a multiple of 50 since 18001800

Species prone to extinctionSpecies prone to extinction Generalist species - Generalist species - Species with large Species with large

populations that adapt easily to many populations that adapt easily to many habitats – cockroaches and rats – are not habitats – cockroaches and rats – are not likely to become extinct likely to become extinct

specialist species specialist species -species with small -species with small populations in limited areas – can easily populations in limited areas – can easily become extinctbecome extinct

species especially at risk are those that species especially at risk are those that migrate, need large or special habitats, migrate, need large or special habitats, and those exploited by humans and those exploited by humans

Specialist Species and Generalist Species Niches Specialist Species and Generalist Species Niches – Which is more prone to extinction?– Which is more prone to extinction?

CockroachCockroach

Categorizing Species Categorizing Species IUCN Red ListIUCN Red List

Endangered speciesEndangered species – a species likely to – a species likely to become extinct if protective measures are not become extinct if protective measures are not taken immediatelytaken immediately

Threatened speciesThreatened species – a species that has a – a species that has a declining population and that is likely to become declining population and that is likely to become endangered if it is not protectedendangered if it is not protected

Other categories exist for legal and biological Other categories exist for legal and biological purposes. Ex: purposes. Ex: Least concern….Not Least concern….Not Evaluated…..VulnerableEvaluated…..Vulnerable

http://www.iucnredlist.orghttp://www.iucnredlist.org

B. How Do Humans Cause B. How Do Humans Cause Extinctions?Extinctions?

As human population growth has As human population growth has accelerated the past 2 centuries, so has accelerated the past 2 centuries, so has the rate of extinctions.the rate of extinctions.

The major human causes of extinction use The major human causes of extinction use the acronym HIPPOthe acronym HIPPO

-H – Habitat Destruction and -H – Habitat Destruction and Fragmentation Fragmentation

-I – Invasive Species-I – Invasive Species -P – Population-P – Population -P – Pollution-P – Pollution -O – Overharvesting-O – Overharvesting

Habitat Destruction and Habitat Destruction and FragmentationFragmentation

As the human population grows, we As the human population grows, we use more land for our resources, use more land for our resources, homes, food, etc.homes, food, etc.

In the process we destroy or In the process we destroy or fragment the habitats of other fragment the habitats of other speciesspecies

Invasive SpeciesInvasive Species invasive or exotic speciesinvasive or exotic species – a species – a species

not native to a particular regionnot native to a particular region– 4 wheelers in the woods open up a forest to 4 wheelers in the woods open up a forest to

thesethese they threaten native species because they they threaten native species because they

have no natural defenses against the have no natural defenses against the exotic speciesexotic species

-the exotic species also has no natural -the exotic species also has no natural predators to keep its population in check predators to keep its population in check and so it frequently grows out and so it frequently grows out

of control and pushes the native species of control and pushes the native species outout

-compete for the same resources-compete for the same resources

PopulationPopulation human overpopulationhuman overpopulation

PollutionPollution Pesticides, cleaning agents, drugs, Pesticides, cleaning agents, drugs,

fertilizer, other chemicals used by fertilizer, other chemicals used by humans make their way into food humans make their way into food webs around the globewebs around the globe

long-term effects of these chemicals long-term effects of these chemicals are still unknownare still unknown

Some do cause animal deaths, Some do cause animal deaths, sterility, death of young, etc.sterility, death of young, etc.

American bald eagle is an exampleAmerican bald eagle is an exampleDDT – Soft ShellsDDT – Soft Shells

OverharvestingOverharvesting excessive hunting and harvesting of excessive hunting and harvesting of

species can also lead to extinctionspecies can also lead to extinction Some used as pets, houseplants, Some used as pets, houseplants,

wood, food, or herbal medicinewood, food, or herbal medicine– Good article in Jan. 2010 Natl. Good article in Jan. 2010 Natl.

Geographic MagazineGeographic Magazine many countries have laws to regulate many countries have laws to regulate

hunting, fishing, harvesting, and hunting, fishing, harvesting, and trade of wildlife trade of wildlife

poachingpoaching – the crime of illegally – the crime of illegally hunting certain animalshunting certain animals

in poor countries, local species are a in poor countries, local species are a source of food, medicine, or incomesource of food, medicine, or income

C. Areas of Critical BiodiversityC. Areas of Critical Biodiversity Some parts of the world contain a Some parts of the world contain a

greater diversity of species than greater diversity of species than othersothers

Endemic speciesEndemic species – species that – species that are native to and found only are native to and found only within a limited areawithin a limited area

The number of endemic species The number of endemic species is an indicator of overall is an indicator of overall biodiversitybiodiversity

Tropical Rain ForestsTropical Rain Forests the remaining TR forests cover the remaining TR forests cover

about 7% of the Earth’s land surface about 7% of the Earth’s land surface but it is estimated to contain over but it is estimated to contain over half the world’s species – most of half the world’s species – most of which have never been describedwhich have never been described

unknown numbers of species are unknown numbers of species are disappearing as tropical forests are disappearing as tropical forests are cleared for farming or cattle grazingcleared for farming or cattle grazing

they are among the few places they are among the few places some native people maintain some native people maintain traditional lifestyles, so there is a traditional lifestyles, so there is a cultural impact toocultural impact too

Coral Reefs and Coastal Coral Reefs and Coastal EcosystemsEcosystems

-occupy a small fraction of marine -occupy a small fraction of marine environment yet contain the majority environment yet contain the majority of the biodiversity thereof the biodiversity there

-provide millions of people with food -provide millions of people with food and tourism revenueand tourism revenue

-protect coasts from waves and are -protect coasts from waves and are sources of new chemicalssources of new chemicals

-poorly studied and not well -poorly studied and not well protected by lawsprotected by laws

Coral Reefs and Coastal Coral Reefs and Coastal EcosystemsEcosystems

60% are threatened by human 60% are threatened by human activities such as overfishing and activities such as overfishing and pollutionpollution

Similar threats affect coastal Similar threats affect coastal ecosystems such as swamps, ecosystems such as swamps, marshes, shores, and kelp bedsmarshes, shores, and kelp beds

IslandsIslands -when an island rises from the sea it is -when an island rises from the sea it is

colonized by a limited number of species colonized by a limited number of species from the mainland – Primary Successionfrom the mainland – Primary Succession

-these species evolve over time to new -these species evolve over time to new species – thus islands hold a very distinct species – thus islands hold a very distinct but limited number of speciesbut limited number of species

-Hawaiian Islands have 28 species of an -Hawaiian Islands have 28 species of an endemic family of birds but are endemic family of birds but are endangered by competition from exotic endangered by competition from exotic species Hawaii’s Honeycreepersspecies Hawaii’s Honeycreepers

HoneycreepersHoneycreepers

The The honeycreepers are honeycreepers are

threatened by threatened by recently recently

introduced introduced predationpredation

competitioncompetition parasitism parasitism

degradation of degradation of habitathabitat

infectious disease infectious disease

Biodiversity HotspotsBiodiversity Hotspots biodiversity hotspotsbiodiversity hotspots – the most – the most

threatened areas of high species threatened areas of high species diversity on Earthdiversity on Earth

25 areas have been identified by 25 areas have been identified by international conservationistsinternational conservationists

have high numbers of endemic have high numbers of endemic species that are also threatened by species that are also threatened by human activitieshuman activities

include mostly tropical rainforests, include mostly tropical rainforests, coastal areas, and islandscoastal areas, and islands

Endangered Natural Capital: Endangered Natural Capital: Biodiversity HotspotsBiodiversity Hotspots

Biodiversity in the United StatesBiodiversity in the United States three of the biodiversity hotspots are three of the biodiversity hotspots are

partly within US borderspartly within US borders the US includes a wide variety of the US includes a wide variety of

unique ecosystems including Florida unique ecosystems including Florida Everglades, California coastal region, Everglades, California coastal region, Hawaii, Midwestern prairies, forests Hawaii, Midwestern prairies, forests of the Pacific northwestof the Pacific northwest

the US includes a wide variety of unique the US includes a wide variety of unique ecosystems including Florida Everglades, ecosystems including Florida Everglades, California coastal California coastal

region, Hawaii, Midwestern prairies, forests region, Hawaii, Midwestern prairies, forests of the Pacific northwestof the Pacific northwest

-US holds unusually high numbers of -US holds unusually high numbers of species of freshwater fishes, mussels, species of freshwater fishes, mussels, snails, and crayfish – Especially TNsnails, and crayfish – Especially TN

-threats are use of land for agriculture or -threats are use of land for agriculture or housing, dam construction, overuse of housing, dam construction, overuse of water, destructive recreation, and mining all water, destructive recreation, and mining all stems from local human population growthstems from local human population growth

III. The Future of BiodiversityIII. The Future of Biodiversity A. Saving Species A. Saving Species

One at a TimeOne at a Time Captive-breeding Captive-breeding

programsprograms – breeding – breeding species in captivity species in captivity with the hope of with the hope of reintroducing reintroducing populations to their populations to their natural habitatsnatural habitats

California condorCalifornia condor

Preserving Genetic MaterialPreserving Genetic Material Germ plasmGerm plasm – any form of genetic – any form of genetic

material contained within the material contained within the reproductive, or germ, cells of plants reproductive, or germ, cells of plants and animalsand animals

Germ plasm banks store germ plasm Germ plasm banks store germ plasm for future use in research or species-for future use in research or species-recovery effortsrecovery efforts

material may be stored as seeds, material may be stored as seeds, sperm, eggs, or pure DNAsperm, eggs, or pure DNA

Heirloom VegetablesHeirloom Vegetables

Zoos, Aquariums, Parks and Zoos, Aquariums, Parks and GardensGardens

zoos originally were to put animals on zoos originally were to put animals on display, but now they are being used to display, but now they are being used to house the few remaining members of a house the few remaining members of a species – perhaps the last hope for species – perhaps the last hope for survivalsurvival

zoos, wildlife parks, aquariums, and zoos, wildlife parks, aquariums, and botanical gardens are living museums of botanical gardens are living museums of the world’s biodiversitythe world’s biodiversity

However, they don’t have the resources or However, they don’t have the resources or knowledge to preserve more than a knowledge to preserve more than a fraction of the world’s rare and threatened fraction of the world’s rare and threatened speciesspecies

Ultimately, saving a Ultimately, saving a few individuals does few individuals does little to preserve a little to preserve a speciesspecies

captive species may captive species may not reproduce or not reproduce or survive again in the survive again in the wildwild

small populations are small populations are vulnerable to infectious vulnerable to infectious disease and genetic disease and genetic disorders caused by disorders caused by inbreedinginbreeding

B. Preserving Habitats and B. Preserving Habitats and EcosystemsEcosystems

The most effective way to save species is The most effective way to save species is to protect their habitatsto protect their habitats

difficult because it means preserving or difficult because it means preserving or managing large areasmanaging large areas

Conservation strategiesConservation strategiesmost conservationists now give most conservationists now give

priority priority to protecting entire ecosystems to protecting entire ecosystems rather rather than individual speciesthan individual species

because you can save more species because you can save more species this waythis way

to protect the most biodiversity, to protect the most biodiversity, conservationists focus on the conservationists focus on the hotspotshotspots

identify areas of native habitat that identify areas of native habitat that can be preserved, restored, and can be preserved, restored, and linked into large networkslinked into large networks

promote products that have been promote products that have been harvested with sustainable practices harvested with sustainable practices such as shade grown coffeesuch as shade grown coffee

More study neededMore study needed

need for more need for more serious study of serious study of ecosystems – such ecosystems – such as how large does a as how large does a protected preserve protected preserve have to be to have to be to maintain a certain maintain a certain number of speciesnumber of species

how much how much fragmentation can a fragmentation can a particular ecosystem particular ecosystem toleratetolerate

C. Legal Protections for SpeciesC. Legal Protections for Species– US LawsUS Laws

Endangered Species ActEndangered Species Act – 1973 – has – 1973 – has been amended several times since - been amended several times since - designed to protect plant and animal designed to protect plant and animal species in danger of extinctionspecies in danger of extinction

1-USFWS – US Fish and Wildlife 1-USFWS – US Fish and Wildlife Service must compile a list of all Service must compile a list of all endangered and threatened species endangered and threatened species in the USin the US

as of 2005, 1,272 species were listed as of 2005, 1,272 species were listed as endangered or threatenedas endangered or threatened

dozens more are considered for the dozens more are considered for the list each yearlist each year

difficulty in getting species listeddifficulty in getting species listed

Field Trip Earth Field Trip Earth http://fieldtripearth.org/ http://fieldtripearth.org/

2-protects listed species from human 2-protects listed species from human harmharm

anyone who harms, buys, sells any anyone who harms, buys, sells any part of these species is subject to a part of these species is subject to a fine or imprisonment fine or imprisonment

http://www.earthsendangered.comhttp://www.earthsendangered.com

Prickly Shark

Construction of the Tellico dam Construction of the Tellico dam was delayed when a small was delayed when a small endangered fish called the endangered fish called the

snail darter was discovered on snail darter was discovered on the Little Tennessee River. the Little Tennessee River. Dam opponents brought a Dam opponents brought a

lawsuit under the Endangered lawsuit under the Endangered Species Act. The Endangered Species Act. The Endangered Species Committee (a.k.a. the Species Committee (a.k.a. the

"God Squad") decided to "God Squad") decided to uphold the protection of the uphold the protection of the

snail darter costing TVA snail darter costing TVA

approx. $78 millionapprox. $78 million

3-prevents the federal government 3-prevents the federal government from carrying out any project that from carrying out any project that jeopardizes a listed speciesjeopardizes a listed species

Recovery and Habitat Conservation Recovery and Habitat Conservation PlansPlans

4th ESA provision- the USFWS must 4th ESA provision- the USFWS must prepare a prepare a species recovery planspecies recovery plan for each listed speciesfor each listed species

-plans propose to protect or restore -plans propose to protect or restore habitat for each specieshabitat for each species

-controversial in the attempt to -controversial in the attempt to restrict human uses of landrestrict human uses of land

developers may be prohibited from building developers may be prohibited from building on their own landon their own land

lose income on land when land uses are lose income on land when land uses are restricted restricted

many object when their interests are placed many object when their interests are placed below that of another speciesbelow that of another species

Compromise in a Compromise in a habitathabitat conservation planconservation plan – a plan that – a plan that

attempts to protect one or more attempts to protect one or more species across large areas of land species across large areas of land through trade-offs or cooperative through trade-offs or cooperative agreementsagreements

D. International CooperationD. International Cooperation At the global level the International At the global level the International

Union for the Conservation of Nature Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) and Natural Resources (IUCN)

facilitates efforts to protect facilitates efforts to protect species and habitatsspecies and habitats

-a collaboration of almost 200 -a collaboration of almost 200 government agencies and over 700 government agencies and over 700 private conservation organizationsprivate conservation organizations

IUCN publishes IUCN publishes Red Red ListsLists of species in of species in danger of extinction danger of extinction around the worldaround the world

-advises governments -advises governments on ways to manage their on ways to manage their natural resourcesnatural resources

-works with groups like -works with groups like the World Wildlife Fund the World Wildlife Fund to sponsor conservation to sponsor conservation projectsprojects

International Trade and PoachingInternational Trade and Poaching IUCN produced a treaty called CITES IUCN produced a treaty called CITES

(Convention on International Trade in (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species)Endangered Species)

CITES treaty was the first effective CITES treaty was the first effective effort to stop the slaughter of African effort to stop the slaughter of African elephants elephants

Earth Summit – more than 100 world Earth Summit – more than 100 world leaders and 30,000 other participants met leaders and 30,000 other participants met in 1992 in Rio de Janiero, Brazilin 1992 in Rio de Janiero, Brazil

most ambitious effort to tackle environmental issues most ambitious effort to tackle environmental issues on a worldwide scaleon a worldwide scale

The United Nations General Assembly in December The United Nations General Assembly in December agreed to a new Earth Summit in 2012. The Summit agreed to a new Earth Summit in 2012. The Summit will be held in Brazil and will focus on four areas:will be held in Brazil and will focus on four areas:

The Green Economy The Green Economy Emerging Issues Emerging Issues Sustainable Development GovernanceSustainable Development Governance

Biodiversity TreatyBiodiversity Treaty – goal is to – goal is to preserve biodiversity to ensure the preserve biodiversity to ensure the sustainable and fair use of genetic sustainable and fair use of genetic resources in all countriesresources in all countries

took many years to be adopted by took many years to be adopted by the US, because of impact on the US, because of impact on economic and trade agreements economic and trade agreements

should take into account any impacts should take into account any impacts on biodiversity on biodiversity

Private Conservation EffortsPrivate Conservation Efforts

many private organizations work to protect many private organizations work to protect species worldwide – often more effective than species worldwide – often more effective than government agenciesgovernment agencies

World Wildlife FundWorld Wildlife Fund – encourages the sustainable – encourages the sustainable use of resources and supports wildlife protectionuse of resources and supports wildlife protection

Nature ConservancyNature Conservancy – helped purchase many – helped purchase many acres of habitat preserves in 29 countriesacres of habitat preserves in 29 countries

Conservation InternationalConservation International – helps identify – helps identify biodiversity hotspots and develop ecosystem biodiversity hotspots and develop ecosystem conservation projects in partnership with other conservation projects in partnership with other organizations and local peopleorganizations and local people

Greenpeace InternationalGreenpeace International – organizes direct and – organizes direct and sometimes confrontational actions to counter sometimes confrontational actions to counter environmental threats environmental threats

E. Balancing Human NeedsE. Balancing Human Needs Attempts to protect species often come Attempts to protect species often come

into contact with the interests of the into contact with the interests of the world’s human inhabitantsworld’s human inhabitants

An endangered species represents a An endangered species represents a source of food or income or it may not source of food or income or it may not seem valuable to those who do not seem valuable to those who do not understand the species’ role in an understand the species’ role in an ecosystemecosystem

An important part of protecting species is An important part of protecting species is making the value of biodiversity making the value of biodiversity understood by more peopleunderstood by more people