Biodiversity

Topic 1 – Biological Diversity and Survival

A couple questions…

Why do we need diversity?

What is the ultimate goal of every living thing on the planet?

What have we done to the diversity of the planet?

Look around the classroom...

How do you recognize one person from another?

Variations: differences in characteristics of organisms caused by genetic and environmental factors

Variations are found not only in humans, but in ALL populations or groups!

Remember: Biological Diversity (biodiversity): the number and variety of organisms in an area

Why might biological diversity by important?Imagine a world without mosquitoes...Would it be a good thing to completely

wipe out an organism?Why not?It is thought that some species actually

need interactions with other species to help them survive!!!

Biological diversity is important for the health and survival of natural communities!

Variation within SpeciesSpecies: group of organisms that have

similar structures and can reproduceNote: There is still variation within a

species!

Look at dandelion picture – pg. 8

Variation Among SpeciesMany different species share many

common characteristicsHow did so much variety come about?To answer this question, scientists have

looked to areas rich in variation – islands!!!Much biological diversity has occurred

due to speciation.Speciation: the evolution of different

species from a single ancestor

•

The Galapagos Finches – pg. 11

Variations for SurvivalEvery organism has adaptations that

enable it to survive in its environment

Behavioural Adaptations: how an organism behavesEx: migration of birds

Structural Adaptations: how an organism looksEx: eyelashes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9MV5CgPgIQ

The Value of VariationAreas/species with greater biological

diversity can better tolerate changes in the environmentEx: mountain pine beetle

If disease destroys only one species, others species may survive

Measuring Biological Diversity

Biologists use a measurement called diversity index to determine biological diversity and health of an ecosystem

Diversity Index: compares the diversity of species in an area with the total number of organisms in the same area

# of runs/# of specimens = diversity index

The higher the # - the more diverse/healthy the ecosystem!!!

Calculate the diversity index of:

To do:

Diversity Index WSTopic 1 Review #1-3, 5,6 (pg. 15)

Calculate the diversity index for the 2 parks: