Questions to be Answered• What is biodiversity, why is it important, and

more importantly why should I care?• What are invasive species and how can they

affect biodiversity?• How are invasive species introduced?

What is Biodiversity?

• What ecosystem to you think has lots of biodiversity? Why do you think it has so much biodiversity?

• What ecosystem to you think has very little biodiversity? Why?

BIODIVERSITY

• Biodiversity is the number of different species of all living organisms in a defined geographic area (bio meaning life and diversity meaning variety).

• It includes all the different fungi, insects, plants, bacteria, mammals, reptiles, etc. , in the defined area.

Why is Biodiversity Important?

BIODIVERSITY IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE…

• Allows for the recolonization of areas where a species has been extirpated (localized extinction).

• Maintains genetic pools/ reservoirs for species to rebound from diseases, pests, and changes in environment.

• Economically, it allows for an array of pollinators for food supplies as well as the discovery of medical applications

• Emotionally:

COMMON PEOPLE ITS NATURE!!!

What Changes the Biodiversity in an Area?

• Weather events• Natural catastrophes• Climate change• Land conversion• Invasive species

Important Vocabulary• Native species: are organisms whose presence in a given

ecosystem is the result of only natural processes with no human intervention.

EX: The North American (Canadian) Beaver

• Introduced species: species that originate in a different region but have become acclimated to a new environment (i.e. a non-native or exotic species) Introduced species can be considered either beneficial or detrimental to their new environment and they can be introduced by man either on purpose or by accident.

EX: Zebra Mussels in the Rideau River

Invasive Species

• Invasive species are species whose introduction into an area does or is likely to cause economic harm (such as to a natural ecosystem or to agricultural systems) or harm to human health

• EX: Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis)

Invasive species that affect agriculture

• Potato Wart Disease

*It is caused by a fungus (Synchytrium endobioticum), spread through world trade, and is a devastating diseases of potato. Found throughout Europe, large parts of Asia, parts of Africa, South America, and New Zealand. Outbreaks in the U.S. but eradication was declared successful in 1974.

CANE TOAD TIME

Homework• Finish Cane Toad Questions

• Research cases of invasive species that have affected the biodiversity of Canada. Come prepared with an example.

• Research cases where human interaction has directly affected the Biodiversity of an area, come prepared ready to discuss in class.