Post on 29-Dec-2015
BIODIV
ERSITY
How Humans Perceive Their “Role” on This Planet Humans have
perceived themselves as “masters” of all species
Humans view other organisms in terms of their economic value
Why
are
spec
ies
impor
tant?
WHY SHOULD WE CARE?
• The golden-cheeked warbler, Dendroica chrysoparia winters in Central America but breeds in the Texas hill country, where its habitat is being lost to housing development
WHY SHOULD WE CARE?• The green sea
turtle, Chelonia mydas occurs throughout the world's oceans and lays eggs on beaches in Costa Rica and elsewhere
• But it has undergone steep population declines.
WHY SHOULD WE CARE?• The red-backed
squirrel monkey, Saimiri oerstedii is endemic to a tiny area in Costa Rica
• Its small geographic range makes it vulnerable to forest loss.
• Species diversity =•Ecosystem stability•Food web strength•Healthy environment
WHY ARE SPECIES IMPORTANT?
WHY ARE SPECIES IMPORTANT?• Biodiversity is
important to scientific research•Better understanding of the world in which we live.•Better quality of life.
• Genetic Reserves• Every species needs an adequate gene pool in order to survive•Crossing crop species with pest & disease resistant plants
WHY ARE SPECIES IMPORTANT?Economics
New fibers, (hemp); latex
Fine lubricants (Jojoba)Perfumes, dyesFungicides (insects)Food (honey)
WHY ARE SPECIES IMPORTANT?
Enhance Food SecurityCurrently we get 90% of our food from just 30 crops and 14 livestock species, as compared to the approximately 7000 plant species and several thousand animal species in past history.
Maintaining genetic diversity in existing crops is essential
WHY ARE SPECIES IMPORTANT?Drugs and Medicine
>50% of all prescriptions contain natural products
WHY ARE SPECIES IMPORTANT?Biophilia An outlet for human’s
instinctive “love for nature” Cultural and religious icons
WHY ARE SPECIES IMPORTANT?• Tree species
provide lumber and chemicals for industry
WHY ARE SPECIES IMPORTANT?
• More importantly…
Intact forests provide clean air, water, and a hydrologic buffer against flooding and drought
• Species add to the aesthetic beauty of our world
• All species have a right to exist just like all humans have a right to life
WHY ARE SPECIES IMPORTANT?
WHY ARE SPECIES IMPORTANT?• Ecotourism brings badly needed
money into poor countries which in turn helps them preserve species
WHY ARE SPECIES IMPORTANT?
You decide
Species should be allowed to exist without having to provide a reason
This is DEEP ECOLOGY