Lecture 5

Biodiversity

Biodiversity
- also called biological diversity
- consists of the forms of life that can best survive Earths conditions

- includes genetic diversity, species diversity & ecological diversity

DNA - carries genetic information in living organisms

Genes - segments of DNA - control hereditary characteristics in organisms

Species
- group of organisms that resemble one another in appearance, behaviour, chemical makeup & processes, and genetic structure - actually or potentially interbreed

Genetic Diversity
- variability in the genetic makeup among individuals within a single species

Species Diversity
- the

variety of species on Earth - ~ 1.4 million species described

Ecosystem Diversity
- also

called ecological diversity

- variety of forests, deserts, grasslands, streams, lakes, oceans and other biological communities

Importance of Biodiversity
- we

are dependent on the rich variety of genes, species and ecosystems, for example:

food medicine wood energy industrial chemicals raw materials

8 Main Areas of Biodiversity Importance

Ecosystem Stability Genetic Reserves Medicinal Agricultural Industrial Aesthetic Ethical Religious / Spiritual

Ecosystem Stability
- the activities of all organisms are interrelated - we are dependent on one another in indirect ways

- all direct and indirect benefits from nature require large, healthy populations

Genetic Reserves
- used for domesticated plant and animal breeding - genetic engineers splice genes and recombine sequences of existing DNA molecules - genetic engineering depends on a broad base of genetic diversity

Medicinal
- wild stock acts as crucial medicinal blueprint
- many prescription medicines come from plants, fungi, poisonous animals

- biological communities are being searched for cures of human diseases

Agricultural
- we must eat to survive - we eat only ~ 150 species of ~ 80,000 edible species

- ~ 50 animals have been truly domesticated (includes pets) - 100% of our animal protein comes from 8 animal types (ducks, geese, turkeys, chickens, goats, sheep, pigs, cattle)

Industrial
- modern industrial technology uses plants and animals in many of its products - plants supply us with: oils, paper, perfumes, poisons - animals provide: leather, fur, silk, wool, lubricants

- cosmetic & pharmaceutical industries benefit

Aesthetic
- organisms are a source of beauty, joy, wonder, recreational pleasure

- preserve for symbolic value, intrinsic interest

- landscapes and organisms are inspiration for the arts

Ethical
- each species has an inherent right to exist, equal to that of any other species

- Deep Ecology worldview: organisms have a right to exist and that humans should not cause their extinction

Religious / Spiritual

- people find spiritual solace and comfort in nature - some religions teach people that they are superior to all other creatures - other religions teach respect for nature and that man is a steward for nature

Extinction
- complete disappearance of a species

from Earth
- e.g., Jamaica rice rat Giant yellow galliwasp Jamaican Parauque Black-capped Petrel

Endangered Species
- so few individual survivors that the

species could soon become extinct

Black-billed Parrot

Yellow-billed Parrot

Giant Swallowtail Butterfly

Jamaican Iguana

Jamaican Hutia

Jamaican Boa

Characteristics of Endangered Species

extremely small, localised range a large territory living on islands low reproductive success

Characteristics of Endangered Species contd specialised breeding areas specialised feeding habits

The 3 Main Human Causes of Extinction

Habitat Destruction

Biotic Pollution
Hunting

Habitat Destruction
- the greatest threat to most wild species

Biotic Pollution
- introduction of foreign or exotic species into an ecosystem in which it did not evolve

Hunting
Subsistence

Sport Commercial

Conservation Biology
- aims to investigate human impact on biodiversity

- develops practical approaches to prevent species extinction - develops compromises between conservation priorities & human needs

In Situ Conservation
- on-site preservation - preservation of natural populations in the wild - best strategy for the long-term protection of biodiversity

Ex Situ Conservation
- off-site preservation - includes: artificial insemination in vitro fertilisation captive breeding programmes zoos