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Biodiversity

Biodiversity. What is Biodiversity?. The number and variety of species in an area **Diverse areas tend to be more stable. Species diversity. Keystone species: species that are critical to an ecosystems health North American sea otters Prairie dogs Cats. Sea Otters.

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Biodiversity

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  1. Biodiversity

  2. What is Biodiversity? • The number and variety of species in an area **Diverse areas tend to be more stable

  3. Species diversity • Keystone species: species that are critical to an ecosystems health • North American sea otters • Prairie dogs • Cats

  4. Sea Otters • http://player.discoveryeducation.com/index.cfm?guidAssetId=A1FA660E-268B-4763-BCF9-3A8F8485554E&blnFromSearch=1&productcode=US

  5. Why is biodiversity important to us? • Medicine • ¼ of medicine in U.S. is derived from plants • Almost all antibiotics come from fungi

  6. Plant-based Drugs • http://www.rain-tree.com/plantdrugs.htm Pacific Yew

  7. Why is biodiversity important to us? • Food • Most new crops are genetic hybrids *Why might it be important to have a large variety of crop choices?????

  8. Preservation of biodiversity for aesthetic reasons

  9. Biodiversity at Risk • Mass Extinction: the elimination of many species in a short period of time ****Scientists speculate that humans are the main cause of current extinctions

  10. Which species are at risk? Species • with small populations • that migrate • that have low tolerance ranges • Endangered species: species likely to become extinct if protective measures are not taken • Threatened species: species with decreasing populations, at risk of becoming endangered

  11. Human Impact • Habitat destruction • Introduction of exotic species • Illegal hunting, poaching • pollution

  12. Areas of high risk • Tropical rain forests

  13. Areas of high risk • Coral reefs

  14. Areas of high risk • Islands

  15. The Future of Biodiversity • Captive-Breeding Programs • Breeding species in captivity (zoos, nature centers) and reintroducing to the wild Pros: Cons:

  16. Future of Biodiversity • Preservation of Genetic Material • The storage of genetic material for future use • Germ plasm: any form of genetic material

  17. Future of Biodiversity • Zoos, wildlife preserves, aquariums, and botanical gardens are areas in which species are housed and displayed Pros: Cons:

  18. Future of Biodiversity • Preserving natural habitats • Best way to protect species • Conservationist focus on whole ecosystems rather than individual species • Areas are identified, protected, and/or restored

  19. Future of Biodiversity • Legal protection for species • 1973-Endangered Species Act (ESA) to be carried out by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) • Identification of all endangered and threatened species • All identified species are to be protected from human harm • The government cannot jeopardize a listed species • The USFWS must prepare a species recovery plan for each listed species

  20. Future of Biodiversity Why do you think the protection of a habitat can cause controversy????? $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

  21. Future of Biodiversity • International Cooperation • Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Habitats (IUCN) • Works with gov. agencies and conservationists to protect habitats • Created CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) to prevent poaching of endangered animals

  22. Future of Biodiversity • Biodiversity Treaty • Est. 1992 at the first Earth Summit • Goal: preserve genetic biodiversity • Could affect trade and commerce if their actions impact the biodiversity within an area

  23. Future of Biodiversity • Many private organizations fight to protect biodiversity • World Wildlife Fund • Nature Conservancy • Conservation International • Greenpeace

  24. What do you think? Should human needs ever outweigh the need to protect endangered or threatened species???

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