A Presentation By Mr. Allah Dad Khan Visiting Professor the University of Agriculture Peshawar allahdad52@gmail.com

2. Biodiversity,Biodiversity,
A lecture by Mr. allah Dad
khan Visiting Professor The
University of Agriculture
Peshawar

3. Understanding EcologyUnderstanding Ecology
• Studying ecology will reveal the richness of the biosphere.
• Ecological interactions can determine both the distribution
of organisms and their abundance.
• With this understanding, one will be able to help conserve
and sustain biodiversity.

4. Lecture 1: BiodiversityLecture 1: Biodiversity
 BiodiversityBiodiversity is the variation of lifeforms within a givenis the variation of lifeforms within a given
ecosystem.ecosystem.
 Genetic Diversity: individual genetic variation within a populationGenetic Diversity: individual genetic variation within a population
and the genetic variation between populationsand the genetic variation between populations
 Species Diversity: the variety of species in an ecosystemSpecies Diversity: the variety of species in an ecosystem
 Ecosystem Diversity: the variety of the biosphere’s ecosystemsEcosystem Diversity: the variety of the biosphere’s ecosystems
 AnAn EcosystemEcosystem is the sum of all the organisms in a givenis the sum of all the organisms in a given
area as well as the abiotic factors with which theyarea as well as the abiotic factors with which they
interact.interact.
 AA Biodiversity HotspotBiodiversity Hotspot is a relatively small area with anis a relatively small area with an
exceptional concentration of endemic species and a largeexceptional concentration of endemic species and a large
number of endangered or threatened species.number of endangered or threatened species.
 Endemic SpeciesEndemic Species: A species only found in one region or: A species only found in one region or
part of the worldpart of the world
 EcologyEcology is the study of the interactions betweenis the study of the interactions between
organisms and the environment.organisms and the environment.

5. Determining Species DistributionDetermining Species Distribution
and Abundanceand Abundance
 1) Environmental Factors1) Environmental Factors
 TemperatureTemperature
 SeasonalitySeasonality
 2)Amount and Variability of2)Amount and Variability of
PrecipitationPrecipitation
 Dispersal contributes to thisDispersal contributes to this
global distribution ofglobal distribution of
species.species.
 Above: BiogeographicAbove: Biogeographic
realms indicatingrealms indicating
distribution patterns duedistribution patterns due
to continental drift andto continental drift and
topographic land barrierstopographic land barriers

6. Flowchart of Factors LimitingFlowchart of Factors Limiting
Geographic DistributionGeographic Distribution
Understanding the Flow Chart:
 Behavior Limits: refer to habitat selectionBehavior Limits: refer to habitat selection
 Biotic Factors: mainly refer to predationBiotic Factors: mainly refer to predation
and the presence or absence of foodand the presence or absence of food
resources but may also include parasitism,resources but may also include parasitism,
disease, or competitiondisease, or competition
 Abiotic Factors: include temperature, water,Abiotic Factors: include temperature, water,
sunlight, wind, and climate conditionssunlight, wind, and climate conditions

7. Climate mainly determines theClimate mainly determines the
Distribution and Structure ofDistribution and Structure of
EcosystemsEcosystems
 Temperature andTemperature and
precipitation inprecipitation in
addition with physicaladdition with physical
geographic featuresgeographic features
determine thedetermine the
structure of terrestrialstructure of terrestrial
BiomesBiomes

8. Introduction to The TropicsIntroduction to The Tropics
Tropics are the location of many biodiversityTropics are the location of many biodiversity
hotspots because of their unique structure andhotspots because of their unique structure and
history that resulted in species diversity.history that resulted in species diversity.
50% of the worlds species are found in the tropical50% of the worlds species are found in the tropical
rainforests.rainforests.

9. Tropical Rainforests as HotspotsTropical Rainforests as Hotspots
 There are 3 main regions ofThere are 3 main regions of
tropical rainforeststropical rainforests
• 1)The Americas1)The Americas
• 2)Africa2)Africa
• 3)Australasia3)Australasia
 The ConservationThe Conservation
International hasInternational has
established global hotspots.established global hotspots.
• An interactive map can be foundAn interactive map can be found
here:here:
http://www.biodiversityhotspots.org/Pages/default.aspxhttp://www.biodiversityhotspots.org/Pages/default.aspx

10.  Biodiversity is not limited toBiodiversity is not limited to
animal species but plantanimal species but plant
species as well.species as well.
 Tropical Rainforests areTropical Rainforests are
comprised of 100-300+comprised of 100-300+
species of trees pre hectare.species of trees pre hectare.
And few trees are common,And few trees are common,
while many are rarewhile many are rare
 The Tropical RainforestsThe Tropical Rainforests
have increased faunalhave increased faunal
diversity and densitydiversity and density

11. Effects of Faunal GroupsEffects of Faunal Groups
 Direct contribution to species richnessDirect contribution to species richness
 Indirect effects on plant and animal diversityIndirect effects on plant and animal diversity
 Contribute substantially to total biodiversityContribute substantially to total biodiversity
of Rainforestsof Rainforests
 Contribute irreplaceable services such asContribute irreplaceable services such as
seed dispersal, seed predation, and seedseed dispersal, seed predation, and seed
pollinationpollination
 In summary, the faunal composition effectsIn summary, the faunal composition effects
how ecosystems functionhow ecosystems function

12. Like faunal groups effectLike faunal groups effect
Tropical Rainforests, marineTropical Rainforests, marine
ecosystems are affected by Coralecosystems are affected by Coral
ReefsReefs

13. Coral Reefs are among the most
Diverse Ecosystem
• Coral Reefs are the richest in species of any
marine environment
• Coral Reefs are the keystone species of the
marine environment
– Note a keystone species is a species whose
presence has a disproportionate effect on the
ecosystem and contributes to the diversity of the
ecosystem. Without this species, there is a
direct correlation to extinction in other species

14. Coral Reefs, The HotspotCoral Reefs, The Hotspot
 Coral Reefs only comprise 0.2%Coral Reefs only comprise 0.2%
of the Earth’s Ocean Surface andof the Earth’s Ocean Surface and
they almost exclusively occurthey almost exclusively occur
within the Tropicswithin the Tropics
 Abundance and Distribution isAbundance and Distribution is
strongly affected by temperaturestrongly affected by temperature
 The Current Distribution ofThe Current Distribution of
Coral Reefs is shown to the right.Coral Reefs is shown to the right.
-Caribbean-Caribbean
-Coast of Central America-Coast of Central America
-Indo-Pacific Waters-Indo-Pacific Waters
-East Coast of Australia-East Coast of Australia

15. Biodiversity is EffectedBiodiversity is Effected
by Several Biotic andby Several Biotic and
Abiotic Factors, butAbiotic Factors, but
the Greatest Threat tothe Greatest Threat to
Biodiversity is HumanBiodiversity is Human
ImpactImpact