Biodiversity refers to the variety of life in an area, including genetic diversity within species, species diversity within biological communities, and ecosystem diversity within biospheres. It increases ecosystem stability and health. There are three components of biodiversity: genetic diversity within populations, species diversity between different types of organisms in a community, and ecosystem diversity between different habitat types. Maintaining biodiversity has direct economic benefits for humans through food, medicine, and other resources, as well as indirect benefits by supporting ecosystem services like oxygen production and water cycling. However, biodiversity is declining rapidly due to threats like overexploitation, habitat loss, pollution, invasive species, and climate change.

1. What is Biodiversity?What is Biodiversity?
Why is it important?Why is it important?
Mrs. NeistadtMrs. Neistadt

2. A B
Which do you like better?Which do you like better?

3. A B
Which do you like better?Which do you like better?

4. What do you think biodiversityWhat do you think biodiversity
means?means?

5. Bio =
BioBiodiversitydiversity
What does “Bio” mean?

6. BioBiodiversitydiversity
Diversity = Variety
What does “Diversity” mean?

7. *Biodiversity*Biodiversity is the variety of life in anis the variety of life in an
area that is determined by the numberarea that is determined by the number
of different species in that area.of different species in that area.
*Biodiversity increases the stability of*Biodiversity increases the stability of
an ecosystem and contributes to thean ecosystem and contributes to the
health of the biosphere.health of the biosphere.

8. *There are 3 components of*There are 3 components of
biodiversity:biodiversity:

9. 1.1. *Genetic Diversity*Genetic Diversity- the variety of- the variety of
genes or inheritable characteristicsgenes or inheritable characteristics
present in a populationpresent in a population
Chihuahuas, beagles, and Rottweiler's are all dogs—Chihuahuas, beagles, and Rottweiler's are all dogs—
but they're not the same because their genes arebut they're not the same because their genes are
different.different.
ChihuahuaChihuahua BeagleBeagle
RottweilersRottweilers
Genetic DiversityGenetic Diversity

10. 2. *2. *Species DiversitySpecies Diversity- the number of- the number of
different species and the relativedifferent species and the relative
abundance of each species in aabundance of each species in a
biological community.biological community.
For example, monkeys, dragonflies, and meadowFor example, monkeys, dragonflies, and meadow
beauties are all different species in the same community.beauties are all different species in the same community.
Saki Monkey Golden Skimmer Meadow Beauty
Species DiversitySpecies Diversity

11. 3. *3. *Ecosystem DiversityEcosystem Diversity- the variety of- the variety of
ecosystems that are present in the biosphere.ecosystems that are present in the biosphere.
Prairies, Ponds, and tropical rain forests are all ecosystems.Prairies, Ponds, and tropical rain forests are all ecosystems.
Each one is different, with its own set of species living in it.Each one is different, with its own set of species living in it.
Paines Prairie
Hoh Rain Forest
Florida Sand hill Pond
Ecosystem DiversityEcosystem Diversity

12. Which is more diverse?Which is more diverse?
A B

13. Which is more diverse?Which is more diverse?
A B

14. Which is more diverse?Which is more diverse?
A B

15. A B
Which is more diverse?Which is more diverse?

16. Which has more biodiversity?Which has more biodiversity?
A B

17. Which has more biodiversity?Which has more biodiversity?
A B

18. The Importance of Biodiversity
*Aesthetic and Scientific Value: The value of beauty
and scientific discovery cannot be measured, but are
extremely important to life on Earth.
*Direct Economic Value: Maintaining biodiversity
has a direct economic value to humans. Humans
depend on plants and animals for food, clothing,
energy, medicine and shelter.

19. The Importance of Biodiversity
*Indirect Economic Value: a healthy biosphere
provides many services to humans and other
organisms that live on Earth.
Examples:
•Green plants provide oxygen
•Water cycle provides clean water

20. The Importance of Biodiversity
Your Turn:
Think of an environment you have been to, or live
in. What different species of plants and animals
have you seen? How do they depend on each
other? What are some examples of genetic
diversity and species diversity in that environment?
Write a paragraph that answers these questions.

21. Should we be concerned aboutShould we be concerned about
biodiversity?biodiversity?
What we know:What we know:
The Earth is losing species at an alarming rateThe Earth is losing species at an alarming rate
 In the past 500 years, we know of approximately 1,000 species
that have gone extinct

22. *Threats to biodiversity*Threats to biodiversity
*Overexploitation*Overexploitation
*Habitat Loss*Habitat Loss
*Habitat Fragmentation*Habitat Fragmentation
*Pollution*Pollution
*Introduced Species*Introduced Species
*Global Climate Change*Global Climate Change

23. Extinct SpeciesExtinct Species
 Extinct speciesExtinct species-- are plants or animals that onceare plants or animals that once
lived on Earth that have completelylived on Earth that have completely
disappeared.disappeared.
The dodo (Raphus cucullatus) was a flightless
bird endemic to the Indian Ocean island
of Mauritius. It stood about a metre (3.3 feet) tall,
weighing about 20 kilograms (44 lb).
The dodo was first mentioned by Dutch sailors in
1598. By 1681, all dodos had been killed by
hungry sailors or their domesticated animals.
The extinction of the bird, within 80 years of its
discovery, made people realise for the first time
that humans could induce the extinction of plants
and animals.--- …http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dodo

24. Endangered SpeciesEndangered Species
 An Endangered Species-An Endangered Species- is a plant or animalis a plant or animal
that is in danger of becoming extinct.that is in danger of becoming extinct.
 http://www.fws.gov/endangered/http://www.fws.gov/endangered/
 List of endangered speciesList of endangered species
 A Threatened Species- plants or animals thatA Threatened Species- plants or animals that
may become endangered in the near futuremay become endangered in the near future