CURRENT TOPICSMs. Burakiewicz

Conservation

Vocabulary

AquaticBiodiversityConservationCoral ReefEcosystemExtinctionEndangeredForest

Genetic variation (Gene)

HabitatInvasive speciesNatural selectionSpeciesTerrestrialWetland

What is Conservation Biology?

Science focused on how to protect and restore biodiversity

Three key questions How is the diversity of life distributed around

the planet? What threats does diversity face? What can people do to reduce or eliminate

these threats and, when possible, restore biological diversity to ecosystem health?

What is Biodiversity?All levels of organization

Includes the individual organisms AND their genetic material (conservation genetics – later)

Involves groups of similar organisms, populations, AND groups of species in communities or ecosystems

All forms of life Bacteria, fungus, protist, plant, and animal

All interactions Biodiversity is more than just the parts of a living

system, such as genes, individuals and species -- biodiversity also includes the ways the various parts interact with each other, including competition, predation, and symbiosis.

Genetic Diversity

Genetic information varies within a speciesIndividuals are uniqueVariation within a species allows the species

adaptability within an environment A loss of genetic variation makes a species

more prone to extinction

Species Diversity

A species is a group of organisms that have the ability to reproduce in nature Geographic or reproductive isolation

Different species exist in various ecosystems

The more species in an ecosystem, the more stable the ecosystem

Ecosystem Diversity

It is important to have stable terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems because of their various properties Wetlands help to purify water Forests help to cycle carbon dioxide

It is important to protect large scale processes that biodiversity depends on

What is a biodiversity crisis?

Rapid loss of biodiversity Current rate of extinction = 100-1,000x

faster than the natural rate >1,000 species have gone extinct in the

last 400 years Thousands of species are currently

considered endangered

Why is biodiversity valuable?

Benefits humans directly by providing Food Medicine (cancer meds) Industrial products (oils)

Benefits ecosystem stability Water purification Erosion control Climate control Decomposition and nutrient cycling

How is Biodiversity Measured?

Biodiversity is measured by taking a sample and estimating the total population in a given area Random sampling Average density of a species in a given

area Average number of species in a given area

↑ Diversity Index = ↑ Species and even distribution

Endangered vs Extinction

Endangered species are those that are “in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range” – Endangered Species Act 1973

Extinction is when a species no longer exists

The status of a species (unlisted, threatened, or endangered) can change

http://www.earthsendangered.com/

Protection of Species

Keystone species are those that an ecosystem depends on

If a keystone species is removed, many other species within that ecosystem will be effected Beavers make dams that provide pond

networks – provides habitats, improves water quality, prevents erosion

Hot Spots

Hot spots are areas where biodiversity is high and species are unique to the region

25 global biodiversity hotspots Rainforests – Amazon Basin, Caribbean

Islands Coral reefs

Major Threats

Habitat loss Development, clearing land, water

diversionHabitat degradation

Disturbing habitat – erosion, toxins (pollution)

Introduced speciesOver harvesting

Hunting, fishing

Conservation

DON’T Destroy habitat Pollute Over harvest Introduce species

Reverse damageYou can…

Adjust your behavior Educate yourself and others Support conservation efforts