OCR AS Biology Unit 2 Module 3 Extinction + Conservation
Transcript of OCR AS Biology Unit 2 Module 3 Extinction + Conservation
Extinction and Loss of Biodiversity By Iris and C-J
Contents
Extinction
Why it happens
‘good’ extinctions
Loss of biodiversity
Extinction
Extinction is when a species ceases to exist.
Bye Bye!!!
Why extinction happens
Genes can affect extinction
Harmful human activities
Hybridisation
Habitat degradation
‘alien’ organisms creating competition
Connected extinction
Natural phenomena (dinosaurs)
Not all extinctions are bad…
Extinction of bacteris
E.g. smallpox
Loss of Biodiversity
When a species becomes extinct the niche it lives in has biodiversity. Biodiversity is the variation of life within a certain ecosystem.
Harmful human activities
Increase in human population – increased use of land for homes and growing food crops
Deforestation
Global warming
Extinction of species
Damage to natural ecosystem
Why Conserve?
By Iris and C-J
Contents
Why conserve biodiversity / species
Economical + Ecological reasons
Ethical + Aesthetic reasons
Agricultural reasons
Medical reasons
Ways to help conserving
Why conserve biodiversity / species (in general)?
Human activities are causing a loss of biodiversity
Loss of biodiversity is causing a decrease in the gene pool
For survival of humans
Food
Fresh water
Removing our waste
Balance of global ecosystems
Economic + Ecological reasons
Keystone species are important in regulating ecosystems
A keystone species is a species that has a disproportionate effect on its environment relative to its abundance (Wikipedia)
E.g. sea stars, elephants in the African savanna (grassland)
Evolution as our problem-solving tool
Soil becoming infertile
Creating food shortages and elevation of staple crops’ prices
Ethical + Aesthetic reasons
Species having public appeal
Loss of habitat
People enjoy observing wildlife
E.g. chalk down land + heath land
For personal wellbeing
Agricultural reasons
Reserving gene information
E.g. of wheat, rice and maize
Selective breeding causing lost of genes of naturally adapted animals and crops
Research into new crop varieties
Spreading of diseases in crops
Fungal pathogen of wheat plant
Medical reasons
Plants have complex metabolisms
E.g. vinblastine – treating breast cancer, some lung cancer and testicular cancer
E.g. TAXOLTM (paclitaxel) – treating lung, ovarian and breast cancer
Traditional Chinese medicine
Herbalism
E.g. Pei Pa Koa –relief cough, sooth sore throat and remove phlegm
Help conserve species Don't buy imported exotic species for pets (parrots, frogs, lizards, fish, etc.).
Support responsible ecotourism and conservation programs.
Watch where you step – not on rare plants
Drive slowly and attentively in wildlife areas.
Shop smart/shop green
Use less
Recycle!