4 .1 – Biodiversity in Ecosystems

1. Topic – Conservation and Biodiversity 4.1 – Biodiversity in Ecosystems IB Topics 2.1.1-2.1.7

2. Species Diversity • The variety of species per unit area • High species diversity = More complex Biodiversity

3. Habitat Diversity • The range of different habitats in an ecosystem • High habitat diversity = more niches Biodiversity

4. Genetic Diversity • The variety of genes present in a species • High genetic diversity = Better survival Biodiversity

5. BiodiversityHotspots • Areas of high biodiversity

6. New species arise through natural selection The fittest organisms survive and have more offspring, changing species over time NaturalSelection

7. Isolation leads to speciation (forming new species) • Isolation: • Fences/roads/deforestation • Deserts • Rivers • Islands Isolation and Natural Selection

8. Movement of tectonic plates creates mountains, oceans, valleys, islands This leads to speciation Ex: Plate Tectonics and Speciation

9. Topic – Conservation and Biodiversity 4.2 – Evaluating biodiversity and vulnerability IB Topics 2.1.1-2.1.7

10. Extinction • Extinct • No members of a species remain • Extinct in the wild • No members of a species remain in the wild • Extirpated • Locally extinct

11. Mass Extinctions • 5 major mass extinctions • Up to 75% of all species went extinct

12. Sixth Mass Extinction • Countless extinctions over the past 10000 years • Climate change & Humans

13. Extinction Rate • Believed to be 10-100 species per year throughout natural history • Now believed to be much higher • 89 mammals over the past 400 years

14. Rainforests • Have the highest biodiversity on Earth • 50% of all plant and animal species • Make 40% of Earth’s oxygen

15. Rainforest Loss • Up to 1.5 hectares cleared per second • Ranching & Logging • Growing population living in the rainforest

16. Small Population Size Limited Distribution Specialists Low Reproductive Capacity Poor Competitors Large Mammals Valuable Products Altruistic Species Factors that make species prone to extinction:

17. International Union for the Conservation of Nature • Red List: • An inventory of all threatened species IUCN Red List

18. Population size Reduction in population size Geographic range Quality of habitat Probability of extinction Determining Conservation Status

19. Natural Factors that lead to loss of biodiversity • Natural Disasters • Environmental Disasters • Habitat Fragmentation • Pollution

20. Human Factors that lead to loss of biodiversity • Overexploitation • Invasive Species • Disease • Modern Agricultural Practices

21. Small Population Size Limited Distribution Specialists Low Reproductive Capacity Poor Competitors Large Mammals Valuable Products Altruistic Species Factors that make species prone to extinction:

22. International Union for the Conservation of Nature • Red List: • An inventory of all threatened species IUCN Red List

23. Population size Reduction in population size Geographic range Quality of habitat Probability of extinction Determining Conservation Status

24. Topic – Conservation and Biodiversity 4.3 – Conservation of biodiversity IB Topics 4.3.1-4.3.5

25. Values of Biodiversity • Products: • Timber/medicine • Ecosystem health/productivity • Science • Education • Genetic diversity • Recreation & ecotourism • Aesthetic value • Ethical reasons

26. Conservation Organizations NGOs GOs Established through international agreements Ex: UNEP, IUCN • Not run by, funded by, or influenced by any country/government • Ex: WWF, Greenpeace

27. Conservation Organizations NGOs GOs • Use of media • Speed of response • Dimplomatic constraints • Political influence • Enforceability

28. Designing a Protected Area • Large vs Small • Large vs Many • Close vs Separate • Clumped vs Spread out • Corridors vs Not connected • Round vs Other shapes • Buffer zone vs No buffer

29. Protected Areas • The US has 7500+ protected areas covering over 1.25 million square miles

31. Zoos & Conservation • Zoos bring awareness to conservation • Zoos can help breed and reintroduce species