Biodiversity

Ch 3.5Ecology and Environment

Vocabulary

Biodiversity

Keystone species

Threatened species

Vocabulary

Habitat destruction

Habitat fragmentation

Poaching

Captive breeding

What is biodiversity’s value?

• Economic value• Ecological value

Economic Value

• Plants, animals and other organisms used in:– Food– Clothing– Medicine – Other products

• Ecosystems important for tourism

Ecological Value

• Species depend on one another for a balanced ecosystem

• Keystone species – species which many other species in an ecosystem depend upon for survival

What factors affect biodiversity?

• Climate• Area• Niche• Diversity• Genetic diversity• Extinction

Climate

• Tropical rainforests– Constant temps– Large amounts of rainfall

• Always vegetation and food

• Means there are more species

Area

• Larger areas have more species than smaller ones

Niche

• An ecosystem that can support more roles or niches has more biodiversity

• Example: coral reefs

Genetic Diversity

• Species with larger gene pools are more likely to survive and adapts

Extinction

• Disappearance of all members of a speciesEndangered species – species that is in danger of becoming extinct in the near futureThreatened species – species that is in danger of becoming endangered in the near future

Golden toad - extinct Giant panda - endangered

Threatened species – polar bear

How do humans affect biodiversity?

• Negatively or positively!• Examples?

Negative Impacts

• Habitat Destruction• Habitat fragmentation• Poaching• Pollution• Introduction of exotic species

Positive Impacts

• Captive Breeding• Laws and Treaties• Habitat Preservation