CHAPTER 10 BIODIVERSITY

NATURE’S MEDICINE CABINET Will the bark of an ordinary tree in Samoa

become a cure for cancer?

NATURE’S MEDICINE CABINETWill the bark of an ordinary tree in Samoa become a cure for cancer?10

Biodiversity on our planet is our greatest asset.

Within this diverse collection of plants, animals, and other organisms, we have the power to provide food for a rapidly growing population, find cures for disease, and insure our economic survival.

Main Concept

There are many compelling reasons to protect species.

10At the end of this chapter you will know:• The importance of biodiversity as a

critical component of ecosystem function.

• Taxonomy is how we organize information about the organisms on the planet.

• Why specific areas around the world are classified as biological hotspots and how they can be protected.

Learning Outcomes

NATURE’S MEDICINE CABINETWill the bark of an ordinary tree in Samoa become a cure for cancer?

10Case study:Dr. Paul Cox, a plant physiologist, and his family moved to the Samoan rainforest in hopes of finding a cure for cancer among the many plants in this lush, tropical area.

NATURE’S MEDICINE CABINETWill the bark of an ordinary tree in Samoa become a cure for cancer?

Biodiversity benefits humans and other species10Tropical regions around

the world hold extremely high concentrations and

varieties of plants.

In addition to species and genetic diversity, these

areas have many communities and

ecosystems within a variety of habitats and

trophic levels.

The particular area where the Cox family settled had especially high ecological

diversity. Biodiversity includes genetic variation, much variety of plant species, and many different community interactions.

Biodiversity benefits humans and other species10Tropical regions around

the world hold extremely high concentrations and

varieties of plants.

In addition to species and genetic diversity, these

areas have many communities and

ecosystems within a variety of habitats and

trophic levels.

The particular area where the Cox family settled had especially high ecological

diversity.

Biodiversity includes genetic variation, much variety of plant species, and many different community interactions.

Biodiversity benefits humans and other species10Tropical regions around

the world hold extremely high concentrations and

varieties of plants.

In addition to species and genetic diversity, these

areas have many communities and

ecosystems within a variety of habitats and

trophic levels.

The particular area where the Cox family settled had especially high ecological

diversity.

Biodiversity includes genetic variation, much variety of plant species, and many different community interactions.

Biodiversity benefits humans and other species10Tropical regions around

the world hold extremely high concentrations and

varieties of plants.

In addition to species and genetic diversity, these

areas have many communities and

ecosystems within a variety of habitats and

trophic levels.

The particular area where the Cox family settled had especially high ecological

diversity.

Biodiversity includes genetic variation, much variety of plant species, and many different community interactions.

Biodiversity benefits humans and other species10

Tropical regions are warm, lush, and close to the equator. It’s this combination of environmental factors that gives areas like Samoa the greatest diversity on Earth.

Diversity is found in the number of species, genetic diversity, and also in ecological diversity, or the wide variety of communities and ecosystems.

Why did Dr. Cox choose Somoa to search for a cancer cure?

Biodiversity benefits humans and other species10

Tropical regions are warm, lush, and close to the equator. It’s this combination of environmental factors that gives areas like Samoa the greatest diversity on Earth.

Diversity is found in the number of species, genetic diversity, and also in ecological diversity, or the wide variety of communities and ecosystems.

Bacteria – 7643 species knownRoundworms – 23,000

Vertebrates – 61,995Fungi – 98,998

Arachnids – 102,248

Why did Dr. Cox choose Somoa to search for a cancer cure?

Biodiversity benefits humans and other species10

Tropical regions are warm, lush, and close to the equator. It’s this combination of environmental factors that gives areas like Samoa the greatest diversity on Earth.

Diversity is found in the number of species, genetic diversity, and also in ecological diversity, or the wide variety of communities and ecosystems.

Why did Dr. Cox choose Somoa to search for a cancer cure?

Plants – 310,129 species known, 390,800 estimatedInsects – 1 million species known, 9 million estimated

Biodiversity benefits humans and other species10

Biodiversity benefits humans and other species10With diversity comes ecosystem service – Beyond providing goods, nature is a machine supporting everything we do, from providing the oxygen we need for survival to cleaning up our waste with filtering mechanisms.

Photosynthesis – Converting light energy to the chemical energy that can be stored and used by living organisms.

Nutrient cycling – Using the organic and inorganic materials from dead and decomposing organisms to support new life.

Population control – Competition and predation maintain a balance of organisms while helping maintain diversity.

Pollination – Insects, birds, mammals, and other organisms provide a mechanism for distribution of critical genetic diversity and generation of grasses, herbs, and other plants.

Biodiversity benefits humans and other species10

Natural spaces and nature’s services also provide cultural,

economic, and social value.

Biodiversity benefits humans and other species10

Natural spaces and nature’s services also provide cultural,

economic, and social value.

Biodiversity benefits humans and other species10Traditional healers use medicine derived from

plants and insects to treat and cure disease.

Like family recipes, these natural remedies are

passed down through generations and learned

through apprenticeships.

Plants gain medicinal qualities as they adapt to other species10

Mamala tree – Source of anti-HIV drug candiate prostratin

Plants gain medicinal qualities as they adapt to other species10

Chemical weapons in plants have evolved over millions of years as relationships between plants, animals, and insects have been forged.

These chemical weapons were once the primary form of healthcare and inspiration for new drugs.

Western medicine has often replaced natural sources and inspiration for medicines with pharmacology and lab-based chemistry.

Still, nature holds a few secrets that our best science has never been able to uncover.

Botanists setting up protective fencing around the last specimen of Delissea undulata found in the wild.

The loss of habitat from conversion for livestock has been among the largest factors resulting in the loss

of this species.

For photos and information about Delissea undulata:http://www.centerforplantconservation.org/collection/cpc_viewprofile.asp?cpcnum=8438

Loss of potentially life-saving drugs that have evolved over millions of years as species become extinct

Plants gain medicinal qualities as they adapt to other species

Polynesia-Micronesia: 3074 endemic plants, 99 threatened species, 43 extinct species

Biodiversity Hotspots

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Loss of potentially life-saving drugs that have evolved over millions of years as species become extinct

Plants gain medicinal qualities as they adapt to other species

Tropical Andes: 15,000 endemic plants, 487 threatened species, 2 extinct species

Biodiversity Hotspots

10

Loss of potentially life-saving drugs that have evolved over millions of years as species become extinct

Plants gain medicinal qualities as they adapt to other species

Guinean forests: 1800 endemic plants, 115 threatened species, 0 extinct species

Biodiversity Hotspots

10

Loss of potentially life-saving drugs that have evolved over millions of years as species become extinct

Plants gain medicinal qualities as they adapt to other species

Indo-Malayan Archipelago: 15,000 endemic plants, 162 threatened species, 4 extinct species

Biodiversity Hotspots

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Plants gain medicinal qualities as they adapt to other species10

Biodiversity is proving invaluable in the search for cures10

Plant physiologist, Dr. David Cox

“There is a strong link between the health of forests and the health of

humans. If people understand that a rainforest might contain the best

cures for diseases that plague us, they will care a whole lot more about

saving it.”

PERSONAL CHOICES THAT HELP10

UNDERSTANDING THE ISSUE10

UNDERSTANDING THE ISSUE10

ANALYZING THE SCIENCE10

EVALUATING NEW INFORMATION10

MAKING CONNECTIONS10