Biodiversity

Biodiversity: the variety of life in an area.

Importance:

A species loss may have consequences for other species

Animals need plants

plants need pollinatorsTrees need decomposers to restore nutrients

Humans depend on other organisms

Oxygen is supplied and Co2 is removed by plants and algae

Diverse dietsClothing, furniture,and building materialsManufacture Drugs that improve health

Extinction: the disappearance of a species

Loss of Biodiversity

Passenger pigeons

Woodland caribou

Leopard frog

Threatened Species

Threatened species: a rapid decline of a population of species

ElephantsLogger-head

TurtlesSea Otters

Endangered Species

Endangered species: when a species numbers become low

enough to become extinct

Florida manatees California condor Black Rhinoceros

Threats to Biodiversity

Human population growth and development

Habitat Loss - cutting down rain forests

Habitat fragmentation - highways that separate

Habitat degradation - damage by pollution

Acid rain: low pH from coal-burning factories &

nitrogen oxides from auto exhausts

combine with water vapor.

Ozone Layer (O3): Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

break down ozone layer that protects

Earth from UV rays.

Water Pollution - Excess fertilizers and wastes

Land Pollution - solid wastes

Exotic Species Introduced - Take over original population

Zebra mussels

Conservation of Biodiversity

• Legal Protections of species

• Preserving habitats

• Reintroduction programs

The Gray Wolf

The End

Black-footed Ferret