Lawal M. Marafa, Ph.D

1. A–Level Geography Seminar Ecosystem and Biodiversity: Human Impacts and Conservation in HK Lawal M. Marafa, Ph.D

2. Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK) OUTLINE: Ecosystem Biodiversity (In HK) Conservation Human Impact The Case of HK

3. Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK) The ecosystem • Ecosystem: is an energy-driven complex of a community of organisms and its controlling environment; • …..an ecological unit composed of living and non-living components interacting to produce a stable system;

4. Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK) The ecosystem Hierarchy Ecosystem: hierarchical way to view the living organisms in the biosphere on earth • Organisms occur in populations, members of the same species that live together in the same area at the same time.

5. Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK) The ecosystem Producers • is a classical example of an environmental system because it has the qualities of a functional system. Decomposers Consumers

6. Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK) The ecosystem • Three important qualities: a)the system is made up of component parts, b)the parts work together, and c) the whole thing serves some purpose

7. Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK) The ecosystem • How does the ecosystem work? • Energy flows • Nutrients cycle

8. Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK) The ecosystem Potential • To summarize, energy enters the ecosystem as free, solar energy and leaves it as heat, having undergone changes from a ‘concentrated’ to a ‘dispersed’ state. Kinetic

9. Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK) The ecosystem • The earth’s ecosystems are grouped into biomes characterized by particular plant and animal types, usually named for a region’s climate or dominant vegetation.

10. Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK) The ecosystem So biomes contain many ecosystems (species)

11. Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK) Darwin’s Theory of Evolution and Survival of Species What is a species? a population whose members are able to interbreed freely under natural conditions

12. Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK) Evolution of species Scientists can often trace the evolution of a complete group of species by looking at fossils. Elephants (proboscideans) includes more than 150 species now extinct. As time went by, their tusks, trunks, and bodies became larger. Finches

13. Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK) Evolution of species Evolution: a process of continuous change from a lower, simpler, or worse to a higher, more complex, or better state.

14. Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK) appearance (morphology) Evolution of species internal processes (physiology) Most organisms can be classified into distinct groups on the basis of their: ecological preferences New species appear by mutation

15. Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK) Variation exists within species the diversity of species present in any environment characterizes a biome Biomes represent the powerhouse of biodiversity These variations and traits lead to biodiversity

16. Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK) • Biodiversity can improve the stability of an entire community (ecosystem) • The maintenance of a healthy biodiversity is the function of plants, soils, climates, and indeed human activity

17. Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK) So what is Biodiversity? • The variation among organisms is referred to as biological diversity • Biodiversity,therefore, encompasses all species of plants, animals, and micro-organisms and the ecosystems and ecological processes of which they are part.

18. Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK) So what is Biodiversity? • Biodiversity is usually considered at three different levels: • 1. Genetic diversity, • 2. Species diversity, and • 3. Ecosystem diversity.

19. Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK) Genetic Diversity • total of genetic information, contained in the genes of individual organisms This is now the age of the DNA!! Dolly

20. Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK) Genetic Diversity Variation in shell colour and banding patterns among populations of one species of snail Variation in corn

21. Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK) Ecosystem Diversity Relates to the variety of habitats, • biotic communities, and • ecological processes in the biosphere, as well as the tremendous diversity within ecosystems in terms of habitat differences

22. Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK) Species Diversity • the variety of living organisms on earth (variously estimated to be between 5 and 50 million) • only about 1.4 million have actually been described

23. Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK) The Importance of Biodiversity • the sustainability and well-being of human beings relies on biodiversity; • the best illustration is the development of human civilization; • several important events (agriculture):

24. Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK) The Importance of Biodiversity • Food • there are 7500 kinds of eatable plants. Only approximately 150 are agriculturally planted by man. • approx. 90% of food sources comes from about 20 crop species. Only wheat, rice and corn make up 70%

25. Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK) The Importance of Biodiversity • In some developing countries, wildlife is the main source of protein • Merchandise • Drugs • Fuel • Tourism and recreation and so on

26. Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK) The Importance of Biodiversity • Organisms also provide recreation, inspiration, and spiritual solace; • The belief that all organisms have the right toexist and that humans should not cause the extinction of other organisms is known as deep ecology. Aesthetic and Ethical Values

27. biological diversity is valued by Judeo-Christian religions as evident in the story of Noah’s Ark (which is considered to be the first “endangered species conservation project”) Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK) The Importance of Biodiversity Religious Values

28. Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK) Biodiversity • How much biodiversity is there? • 1.4 million species have been described • 270,000 flowering plants • 950,000 insects • 40,000 are vertebrates • majority are small and inconspicuous & unknown to science • Global Total Species Number • (5 to 50 million)

29. Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK) Biodiversity • Each of the species has a specific habitat needs, occupying specific ecological niche Swallow Bat

30. Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK) Biodiversity trends • Over Geologic and Historical Time • new species appeared (speciation) • species disappeared (extinction)

31. Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK) Biodiversity • Current Diversity: less than would have been present in the past, due to human impact • Past- elephants, tigers, rhinoceroses, gibbons, woodpeckers, etc..

32. Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK) Indian Tiger Black Rhino African Elephant Asian or Indian Elephant

33. Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK) Loss of Biodiversity • Extinct worldwide about - 484 animal and 654 plant species • In danger of becoming extinct- 5400 animal & 26,000 plant species example: Tropical rainforest- the richest and most diverse, now clearing at 1.8% p.a.

34. Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK) Biodiversity (in HK) • HK is amazingly species-rich • more species than whole of Britain in all groups • 460 birds (as compared to 1200 in China) • 21 bats (only 30 in whole Europe) • 211 butterflies, 104 dragonflies, 73 reptiles, 53 mammals, 22 frogs, 1900 flowering plants • 23 amphibians (51 in Guangdong)

35. Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK) Biodiversity (in HK) • Some species are endemic - occur no where else, e.g. Romer’s tree frog • Some globally endangered species- Black-faced spoonbill (Mai Po Ramsar Site)

36. Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK) Biodiversity (in HK) • Country Parks - good coverage of vascular plants • Marine Parks – good protection of aquatic resources • SSSI- species rich, but not under active management, little protection These promotes conservation (in situ and ex situ)

37. Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK) Threat to Biodiversity in Hong Kong Urbanization & Infrastructure Building- particularly in NT Hill fire Abusive Fishing Practices - explosives and cyanide fishing

38. Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK) Reasons for Decline in Biodiversity • Physical Alteration of Habitats • conversion • fragmentation • simplification • Population Factor - hunting • Pollution - DDT, marine • Introduction of Exotic Species, etc.

39. Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK) Consequence of Losing Biodiversity • Life goes on in spite of extinction • Don’t bother, it has happened in geological past • Ecosystem Function - major ecosystem processes will be affected!!

40. Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK) Consequence of Losing Biodiversity Example:Succession "a continuous process of change in vegetation which can be separated into a series of phases" • non-seasonal, • directional change

41. Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK) Biodiversity conservation protection • Destruction of biodiversity is directly protected by two types of law: • those which protect areas; • those which protect species;

42. Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK) Biodiversity conservation protection The Laws of Protection: - Country Parks Ordinance was formed in 1976 - To date more than 41000 ha have been designated as 23 Country Parks SSSIs • The protection of Endangered Spp. Ordinance • Wild Animals Protection Ordinance • Marine Park Ordinance

43. Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK) Biodiversity conservation protection On the international front, there are: Convention on International Trade in Endangered Spp. of Wild Fauna and Flora Convention on biological diversity Ramsar Convention

44. Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK) Finally, Plants, animals and insects survive not because they are the biggest or strongest but because they can adapt to the changing environment……. Indeed, "The world exists for its own sake, not for ours. Swallow that pill!"--Edward Abbey

45. Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Conservation (HK) The End