BIODIVERSITY POWER POINT NOTES
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Definition of biodiversity: all of the species living in a place
2. Biodiversity exists on 3 levels: 1) ecosystems 2) species 3) genetics
Species: individuals that can breed and produce fertile offspring (not mules)
Species diversity= the variety of species in one place
Species richness= number of species
Species relative abundance= how evenly they are distributed in an habitat
Genetic diversity=differences in DNA within a given species
Benefits of genetic diversity: can adapt to different environments and survive disease
How many species have been identified? 1.7 to 2.0 million
Three reasons why we haven’t identified everything: 1) some have not been explored 2) many
are tiny 3) some are species that are very similar in appearance
What % of all the species in the world are insects? ~60%
What % of insects are beetles? 40%
Biodiversity latitudinal gradient: species richness increases toward the equator
Extinction=loss of species forever
Extirpation=disappearance of a population but not the entire species
What does ‘background rate of extinction’ mean? Natural rate of extinction
What is the background rate of extinction? 1 species is extinct every 500, 000-1,000, 000 years
(third answer—easiest to explain)
What is thought to have caused the K-T extinction 65 mya (million years ago)? An asteroid
impact.
How many mass extinctions have there been? 5
What is causing the current mass extinction? Humans
What are the 6 causes of the current extinction? 1) habitat loss, 2) invasive species, 3) pollution,
4) population pressure 5) overharvesting 6) climate change Abbreviation: HIPPOC
Of these 6, the greatest cause of extinction is: habitat loss
Examples of this cause: urban development, climate change, deforestation
Second biggest cause of current extinction: Invasive species
What does ‘invasive’ mean” non-native
Discuss these invasive species
1) Zebra mussels: came from Caspian Sea causes harm by competing with native species
2) Kudzu: came from Japan; causes harm by growth and covering everything
3) Cane toads: came from South US and South America; causes harm by out competing native
amphibians
4) Gypsy Moth: came from: Eurasia; causes harm by eating leaves off trees
5) Starling: came from Europe; causes harm by out competing for nest sites
6) Brown tree snake: came from: SE Asia; causes harm by eating/killing native birds
When would overharvesting cause extinction? When numbers are really low
Give 2 reasons how global warming (climate change) could cause a species to go extinct.
1) Can’t adapt quickly to changing regional temperatures
2) Extreme weather events can cause habitat loss
What is an ‘ecosystem service’? things we can use or benefit from the environment
Name 2 ecosystem services that are important to us. 1) food, fuel, fiber 2) pollination
31. What is a ‘keystone’ species? Interacts with many others
32. Give 1 way that biodiversity is good for us food-wise. Many species can be used for food that
can be=food security
33. Give 1 way that biodiversity is good for us medicine-wise. Species can be used for new
medicines
34. Give 1 way that biodiversity is good for us economically. Tourism, money
35. Define ‘biophilia’ human love for other alive things. Examples: parks & wildlife, pets,
landscape, views, etc.
36. What do conservation biologists try to do? Intend to prevent extinction
37. The theory of island biogeography was originally used to describe biodiversity in oceans but
then was applied to biodiversity on terrestrial islands (parks) for conservation biology.
38. Parks thought of as: islands
39. Forest fragmentation can cause local extirpation by becoming to small to support them
40. Endangered Species Act, 1973: 1) prevents destruction of habitat 2) forbids trade in products 3)
prevents extinction stabilizes and recovers populations
41. Captive breeding: endangered species being bred in 2005. Example: California Condor
42. What is an ‘umbrella species’? serves to protect others Example: Tiger
43. CTES: Convention on International Trade and Endangered Species Year: 1973
44. What does CITES make illegal? Transport of body parts of endangered species
45. ‘Endemic’: found no where else
46. Why do you think part of California is considered a biodiversity hotspot? Has species that are
found no where else.