Biodiversity
Biodiversity
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The number of different species in an area.
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Factors that affect biodiversity in an
ecosystem include area, climate, and diversity
of niches.
Area
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Larger areas contain more diversity than
smaller areas.
Climate
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Number of species
increase the closer
to the equator.
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Longer growing
seasons mean more
plants and food.
Niche Diversity
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The many different
jobs that animals or
plants can do in an
area.
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Example: Coral reefs
are home to many
fish
Value of Biodiversity
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Why do we have to have all these diverse species?
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Does it matter if there are 50 or 5,000 species of ferns in a
rain forest?
Economic Value
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Many plants and
animals are important
for our survival!
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Companies also make
money by having tours
of diverse areas.
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Ecotourism
Value to the Ecosystem
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All the species in an ecosystem are
connected to one another.
Keystone species- a species that influences
the survival of many other species in an
ecosystem.
Gene Pool Diversity
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Genes- are the structures in an organisms cells that
carry its hereditary information.
○
Every organism has own set of genes.
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The more diverse the genes the more likely a species
can adapt to fight diseases, parasites, and even
droughts.
Extinction of Species
The disappearance of all
members of a species from Earth.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
34ru-NECVEA
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Causes of Extinction
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Human activities can
also threaten
biodiversity.
These activities
include habitat
destruction,
poaching, pollution,
and introduction of
exotic species.
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Earthquakes or
volcanoes can
damage and wipe
out populations or
even some species.
Habitat Destruction
○
The loss of a habitat.
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This is the leading
cause of extinction.
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Habitat
fragmentationbreaking larger
habitats into smaller,
isolated pieces, or
fragments
Poaching
○
The illegal killing or
removal of wildlife
species.
○
Animals sold for skin,
fur, teeth, and claws
to make items.
Pollution
○
○
○
Species can even be
endangered
because of pollution.
Pollution can
damage home or
food source.
http://www.youtube.
com/watch?v=IG3th
zNUIdY
Exotic Species
○
○
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Exotic Species can
take over areas by
eating other species
food or eating the
other species.
No natural
predators.
http://www.youtube.
com/watch?v=InEN
M6fwIwE
Protecting Biodiversity
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Many programs to protect biodiversity combine
scientific and legal approaches
○
There are captive breeding, laws and treaties, and
habitat preservation ways that can help protect
animals.
Captive Breeding
○
○
Is the mating of
animals in zoos or
wildlife preserves.
Only hope for some
animals to survive
since so few of these
animals are left
today.
Laws and Treaties
○
In the United States,
the Endangered
Species Act of 1973
prohibits importing or
trading products
made from
threatened or
endangered species.
Habitat Preservation
○
The most effective
way to preserve
biodiversity is to
protect whole
ecosystems.
○
Beginning in 1872
with Yellowstone
National Park.