Biodiversity

Prof. Amogh Joshi

ARMIET
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Biodiversity
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Variety of living things,
number of kinds
Ecological diversity
different habitats, niches,
species interactions
Species diversity
different kinds of
organisms, relationships
among species
Genetic diversity
different genes &
combinations of genes
within populations
Levels of Biodiversity
Alpha diversity: within
particular area
Beta diversity: within
particular ecosystem
Gamma diversity:
overall diversity within
all ecosystems.

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Benefits of Biodiversity
Ecosystem functions
Ecosystem services
Cleaning water,
Cleaning air,
Habitat & breeding
areas for wildlife,
Aesthetic and
cultural benefits

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Natural Resources
Vital economic natural resources
Renewable
Forests (plants, wildlife)
Soils
Fresh water (lakes, rivers)
Wildlife and fisheries
Rangeland
Nonrenewable
Minerals
Fossil Fuels

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Natural Resources
Management of natural
resources
Assure availability of
resources for the future
Three philosophies
Maximum sustained yield
Ecosystem-based
management
Adaptive management

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Benefits of Biodiversity
New food sources
Grains, fruits, vegetables, meat, fish

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Benefits of Biodiversity
Medicines
Plants
Jellyfish & sea
anemones
Nudibranchs
Marine slugs


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Biodiversity
How much biodiversity
1.72.0 million species
Estimates to 100 million
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Biodiversity
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Where is the biodiversity
Everywhere
Every continent and habitat
has unique life forms
Concentrated in the
tropics
Panama: > 500 species of
breeding birds
Arctic: 50-100 species
Dense concentrations


Threats to Biodiversity
Extinction and population
reductions
Hunting and overharvesting
Tiger
Dodo
Whales
Sharks
Habitat loss
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Threats to Biodiversity
Extinction and
population reductions
Pollution
Climate change
Invasive species
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Protecting Biodiversity
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How can we protect
biodiversity
Stop overharvesting
Sustainable yield
Hunting & fishing laws
(every state ?)
in developing nations ?
Protect habitat
Refuges, parks, preserves
Endangered Species Act

Protecting Biodiversity
Refuges, parks, preserves
How big should refuges be?
Where should they be?
McArthur & Wilson Theory of Island
Biogeography
colonization rate
extinction rate (local)
predicts number of species


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Protecting Biodiversity
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Effect of island size Effect of island distance

Protecting Biodiversity
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McArthur & Wilson
Theory of Island
Biogeography
colonization rate
extinction rate (local)
predicts number of
species


Protecting Biodiversity
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Island Biogeography
Island size predicts number of species


Protecting Biodiversity
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Island Biogeography
Everyplace is an island
Habitat fragmentation
Smaller fragments hold
fewer species



Protecting Biodiversity
Endangered Species Act (1973)
Goal to recover species so they no longer need protection under ESA
Implements U.S. participation in CITES
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species
Prohibits trade in listed species
whole organisms
parts: skins, bones, teeth, flowers, leaves, etc.
Other laws:
Marine Mammal Protection Act
Migratory Bird Treaty Act
Anadromous Fish Conservation Act
etc.
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Protecting Biodiversity
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Endangered Species Act
(1973)
Listing of endangered and
threatened species
Restricts development of
habitats
Captive breeding programs
Release of captive bred
stocks to enhance or
recover wild populations.

http://www.fws.gov/
endangered/

Protecting Biodiversity
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Biodiversity hotspots
Protection of habitat