Post on 16-Jan-2016
transcript
Environmental Studies
IDC3O3
Ms. Nguyen and Ms. Topp
BIODIVERSITY
*What is Biodiversity?*Biodiversity or ‘biological diversity’,
refers to the variety of life on Earth
*It includes all living things, including plants, animals, micro-organisms, and their unique characteristics
*What is Biodiversity?*‘We’ divide the concept of biodiversity up
and look at it at 3 different levels – can you guess what they are?
*Three levels of biodiversity:
*1) Ecosystems
*2) Species
*3) Genes (genetic diversity)
*Ecosystem Diversity*= the variety of habitats, living communities, ad ecological processes on Earth
*Biodiversity at this level is important because ecosystems provide natural services for us:
*Ecosystem services such as pollution breakdown and absorption
*Biological resources, such as food
*Social benefits, such as recreation and tourism
*Ultimately, ecosystem diversity ensures the health of the entire planet!
*Species Diversity*= the variety of species in a given area
*Species diversity is important because species ensure that ecosystems survive
*Why? Each species depends on the services provided by other species to ensure survival
*Creates a balanced ecosystem – which ensures ecosystem services function properly too!
*Everything is interconnected
*Species diversity
*Genetic Diversity
*Yellow Warbler Mug ShotsCan you see the diff erence?
*Genetic Diversity*= the variety of genetic characteristics in a species
*Genetic diversity ensures that parents pass on the traits that their offspring need to survive
*E.g. of traits = disease resistance and physical features
*Overall, genetic diversity in a population increases the ability to avoid inbreeding and withstand stress
*Biodiversity Status*There are estimated to be between 5 million and 20 million species on Earth
*We’ve only identified 1.8 million species
*56% of species = insects
*14% = plants
*3% = vertebrates
*It is estimated that Canada has ~ 140,000 different species
*Biodiversity Threats*Unfortunately, we are losing species at an unprecedented rate – estimated to be up to 1000x greater than the natural rate of extinction!
*Experts believe we are witnessing the next major mass extinction event – the last being the disappearance of the dinosaurs.
*Major threats to biodiversity loss are:
*Habitat loss and degradation
*Climate change
*Excessive nutrient load and other forms of pollution
*Over-exploitation and unsustainable use
*Invasive alien species
*Biodiversity Threats*Video from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
*http://www.globalissues.org/article/171/loss-of-biodiversity-and-extinctions
*TED Talks – EO Wilson – On saving the life on earth.
*http://video.ted.com/talks/podcast/EOWilson_2007.mp4
*As E.O. Wilson accepts his 2007 TED Prize, he makes a plea on behalf of all creatures that we learn more about our biosphere -- and build a networked encyclopedia of all the world's knowledge about life.