Unit 8-Environmental Science Chapter 6.3-Biodiversity

What is Biodiversity?

- The total variation in all organisms in the biosphere

- Three levels:1) Ecosystem Diversity: variation in habitat

and ecological processes2) Species Diversity: the number of different

species in the biosphere3) Genetic Diversity: different genetic

information carried by a particular species

Biodiversity and Medicine

Biodiversity and Agriculture

Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services

Threats to Biodiversity

- When humans reduce genetic diversity we reduce species diversity

- When humans reduce environmental diversity we reduce species diversity

- We do this by altering habitats, hunting, introducing invasive species, polluting food webs, and contributing to climate change

Threats to Biodiversity

- Altered Habitats- Complete destruction of habitat- Habitat fragmentation: splitting ecosystems

into pieces- Makes species more vulnerable

- Hunting- Many species killed for food, money,

and medicine

Threats to Biodiversity

- Introduced (Invasive) Species

- Pollution

- Climate Change

Conserving Biodiversity

- Protecting individual species- Species survival plans (SSPs)

- Preserving habitats and ecosystems- National parks- Marine sanctuaries- Ecological hotspots: a place where significant

numbers of species and habitats are in danger

- Considering local human interests- Tax credits- Tourism- Carbon credits