4.1.1 Biodiversity

4.1.1 Define the terms biodiversity, genetic diversity, species diversity and habitat diversity.

BiodiversityBiodiversity

• The amount of biological diversity per unit area.

• Influenced by climate (what is the most diverse biome?)

• It includes: genetic, habitat and species diversity

Genetic DiversityGenetic DiversityIs the total number of genetic characteristics of a specific species within a population.

Species DiversitySpecies Diversity

Is the number of species or organisms per unit area found in different habitats of the planet.

Habitat DiversityHabitat DiversityVariety of forests, deserts, grasslands, lakes, oceans, coral reefs, wetlands, and other biological communities, (niches per unit area).

If habitat diversity is conserved than this usually leads to the conservation of species and genetic diversity.

Why is biodiversity important?

Diversity = stability Nature’s insurance policy against

change The source of all natural capital for

human use The way chemical materials are

cycled and purified The end result of millions of years

of evolution and irreplaceable

The 19 Most Biodiverse countries in the world.What is the Problem with this?

Biodiversity Hotspots need special consideration

HOTSPOTS: These areas need emergency conservation

attention Especially rich in endemic plant and animal

species (found nowhere else in the world) They cover on 1.4% of world land area Mostly tropical forests Contain 60% of identified terrestrial

biodiversity 55% of all primates, 22% of all carnivores 1.1 billion people living in poverty near

these sites $500 million annually would go far to

ensure their preservation

State of US species.State of US species.

Projected Status of BiodiversityProjected Status of Biodiversity1998–20181998–2018

Critical and endangered Threatened Stable or intact

ANTARCTICA

NORTHAMERICA

EUROPE

AFRICA

ASIA

SOUTHAMERICA AUSTRALIA

PacificOcean

Antarctic Circle

PacificOcean

Tropic of Cancer

Tropic of CapricornIndianOcean

AtlanticOcean

150°90°60°E0°30°W90°120°150°0°

60°

30°N

30°S

60°

Arctic CircleArctic Circle

Why Should We Care About Why Should We Care About Biodiversity?Biodiversity?

Why Should We Care About Why Should We Care About Biodiversity?Biodiversity?

• Instrumental value: Usefulness to us

• Intrinsic Value: because they exist (rather useful or not to us).

GoodsGoods Food, fuel, ecosystems, species, fiber, lumber, paper, …

90% of today’s food crops

40% of all medicines (85% of antibiotics)

Foxglove

Digitalis purpurea, EuropeDigitalis for heart failure

Pacific yew

Taxus brevifolia, Pacific NorthwestOvarian cancer

Biological Value:Biological Value: Flow of materials, energy, and information in the biosphere

Photosynthesis

Pollination

Soil formation and maintenance

Nutrient recycling

Moderation of weather extremes

Purification of air and water

Genetic Value:Genetic Value:Genetic information: adaptation and

evolutionGenetic information for genetic

engineeringEducational and scientific information

Recreation:Recreation:

Existence

Aesthetic

Protect natural capital for future generations

Nonutilitarian:Nonutilitarian:

• Hunting, fishing, swimming, scuba diving, water skiing, . . . .

• Eco-tourism