biodiversity. it is an expression of the energy and richness of an ecosystem. note on the previous...
TRANSCRIPT
Biodiversity
Biodiversity
• It is an expression of the energy and richness of an ecosystem.
• Note on the previous map, the ecosystem with the most biodiversity lie around the equator, where you find the greatest concentration of sunlight.
Biodiversity
• Biodiversity is the result of millions of years of evolution – new species are born as species adapt to their environment and are modified over time by natural selection. – Adaptation leads to, over time, speciation, which
means one species splits into two (becoming reproductively isolated) or more new species.
• Biodiversity – bio means life and diversity means variety. Literally it means the diversity of life.
Speciation
• Allopatric (Geographic) Speciation– Division of a single population by geographic
barrier, such as a mountain range, layers in a rainforest, a glacier, or some other physical barrier.
– Habitat destruction and fragmentation are also barriers.• Creates islands of habitat that may or may not be large
enough to support a certain species.
Allopatric Speciation
Habitat Fragmentation
Wild Canine Adaptations and Diversity
And these are just a few
Other Examples
• Oak trees (an unbelievably impress radiation)• Ants • Beetles • Sharks • And innumerable others
Speciation
• Sympatric Speciation– Is a speciation that occurs without geographic
separation of the individuals that become members of the new species.
Speciation
• Sympatric Speciation continued– Con occur via several mechanisms including:• Polyploidy – It is when the number of chromosomes of
a species suddenly increases due to some environmental factor (usually 2 or 4). When polyploidy takes place, the polyploid individuals cannot interbreed with their nonpolyploid relatives. • It has occurred in such animals as gold fish, salmon, and
many species of salamanders. • It is quite common in wheat, ferns, and many flowering
plants (we have made wheat polyploid).
Each Species is Unique
• Every species represents a unique way of surviving.– Therefore, each species genes code for
characteristics that are very unique– We have barely begun to catalog that uniqueness
and the treasures that it holds.• The negative part is the minimum rate of
extinction is 3 species per hour.
Biodiversity Hotspots
• Areas needing immediate conservation due to their singular biodiversity – and there rapid pace of destruction.
• Example: Centinela
Centinela – a Case in Point
• In the Andean foothills of Ecuador, there is a ridge called Centinela. – It is a symbol of the silent destruction of
biodiversity.– When the forest on Centinela was cut, many rare
species, only recently discovered by botanists, were reduced from healthy populations to extinction.
– Unfortunately, this is too common and dangerous for us – our world loses its living buffer.
Centinela
• Centinela burning
Good News
• The number of protected areas around the world has exploded. – Protected areas nominally cover an area of land
equivalent to China and India.– That is the good news; however, we always need
to remember the reality (see next slide).
Reality
Some Identified Hotspots
• Usambara Mountain Forest – Tanazania• San Bruno Mountain, California• Oasis of the Dead Sea Depression• Madagascar• Uplands of Western Amazonia• Atlantic coast of Brazil• Tallgrass Prairie of North America• Western Ecuador• Southwestern Australia• Lower Slopes of the Himalayas• Northwestern Borneo• Among others
Assignment
• In groups• Pick a hotspot• Tell us:– where it is.– What makes it special (biological and ecological
characteristics).• What are the species, animal and plant, that you find there.
– What is happening to it (why is it threatened). – Find at least 3 sources (split up the work finding them)