Healthy Ecosystems: BIODIVERSITY

Biodiversity

• variety of different species of micro-organisms, animals and plants

• all organisms must interact• ecosystems could not survive without

biodiversity

Three Types of Biodiversity

TYPE I:• Community biodiversity:– the different types of communities or ecosystems

that exist on earth– what types of examples are there?

TYPE II:• Genetic Biodiversity:– differences that occur within a single species– species: related group of organisms that share a

similar form and can produce fertile offspring– genes in a species allow for differences in

characteristics– more genetic diversity = better chance of adapting

to new conditions

Three Types of Biodiversity

Example 1

Example 2

TYPE III:• Species Biodiversity:– involves all species of life on earth– estimates: 10 – 30 million different species– only recorded about 1.9 million– Delicate Biodiversity.mov

– we are currently losing biodiversity

Three Types of Biodiversity

Mass Extinctions

• where many species die out• 5 in history• cause: environmental factors• are we going through a 6th mass extinction?

• rate of die off faster than the normal rate over the past 60 million years

• Since last mass extinction – more species evolving faster than species dying off

• Now, because of human activities, species are becoming extinct faster than new species evolve

• Biggest cause: habitat loss and destruction• Endangered Animals in China Indonesia and In

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Why Care?• key to healthy ecosystems• humans rely on biodiversity to provide

ecological goods and services» food»waste treatment» soil formation» production of oxygen» pollination» pest control» climate regulation» disease control

Limiting Factors

• environmental factors that prevent a population from growing

• can prevent moving into other areas• can be biotic or abiotic– what are examples?

Key Factors

• all factors play a role• key limiting factors include:– scarcity of water or sunlight– absence of prey– absence of habitat– too few members to reproduce and pass on

genetic diversity

What Is Canada Doing?

• Protect organisms that are threatened of disappearing

• The Species At Risk Act (SARA)

SARA (Species At Risk Act)

• prevent indigenous species from becoming extinct or extirpated (local extinction)

• provide recovery of endangered species• encourage management of other species to

prevent becoming at risk

Assessment

• Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC)

• Decides status on species and provides designation

• SARA ensures organisms are protected and managed

Designation

1. Extinct2. Extirpated 3. Endangered4. Threatened5. Special Concern6. Not At Risk

Group Activity• Read the report• Describe:– biology– why threatened– status– distribution– habitat

• Use words, pictures, or anything to convey your message

SOME CANADIAN

ENDANGERED SPECIES

A Scenario....

• The Canadian Government only has enough money to properly protect and manage one of these species.

• Which one should it be?• Prove your case to the Committee