Biodiversity, Succession and Resources

Transcription

1 Biodiversity, Succession and Resources Evolutionary processes have resulted in a DIVERSITY of organisms and a diversity of roles in ecosystems.

2 1. BIODIVERSITY What is Biodiversity (2:07) Qo Degree to which species VARY within an ecosystem Ask yourself? Which of these ecosystems has more biodiversity?

3 Increased biodiversity increases the stability of an ecosystem. Increased biodiversity increases the chance that at least some living things will survive in the face of large changes in the environment.

4 A. WHY IS BIODIVERSITY SO IMPORTANT? The Back-up plan: Backup organisms - if one species dies due to disease, there is another one to fill the niche Maintains stable ecosystem: If lots of organism, every niche can be filled! Therefore, stable ecosystem! Benefits Humans!: Ensures a variety of genetic material Vast rainforests may hold cures, medicines and other useful resources!

5 Video on Humans impact on Biodiversity Video 7 min

6 B. HOW DO HUMANS REDUCE BIODIVERSITY? 1. DEFORESTATION: Destruction of forests IMPACT: Forces many orgs to find new homes If cannot adapt, will become EXTINCT 2. OVER HUNTING: When bounties offered for a certain species, it can become over hunted EX: LION IMPACT: With such a drastic drop, will affect populations of other animals EX: DEER POP N ROSE B/C NO LIONS; DEER OVERGRAZED AND STARVED THEMSELVES

7 3. CLEARING LAND FOR FARMING AND SPACE: Replacing a diverse ecosystem with one or two crops IMPACT: Taking away resources for ourselves and other species 4. DIRECT HARVESTING: Taking species out of natural habitat for our benefit (wanting unusual pets or plants) IMPACT: We are reducing the number of those species in their natural habitat

8 5. IMPORTED SPECIES : (aka: Invasive) When a species is imported and released into a new environment IMPACT: New species may adapt well and drive out existing species EX: Rabbits in Australia IMPACT: New species often become pests because they have NO NATURAL PREDATORS EX: Zebra mussels in NY waterways, purple loosestrife, Japanese beetle, Asian carp & Gypsy moth Gypsy moth destroys trees & shrubs Asian Carp Threat to the Great Lakes Click on title Emerald ash Borer beetle destroying Ash trees in WNY Japanese Beetles-damage plants by skeletonizing the foliage

9 Zebra mussel -Click on title ~2 months reduces diversity loss of food & nesting sites for animals ecological & economic damage

10 Purple loosestrife reduces diversity loss of food & nesting sites for animals

11 2. What is Ecological Succession? Watch Ecological succession video: A series of changes by which one habitat naturally changes into another A. PROCESS: Starts with a simple habitat w/ little diversity- pioneer (1 st ) organism ex. Lichens/mosses CLIMAX COMMUNITY: A stable diverse habitat (ex. Forest) Will be reached if climate remains stable over a number of years ( years without disturbance)

12 When does Succession occur? 1. When environment becomes suitable for another community: (primary succession) Grasses grow in shallow soil, but add nutrients as they live and die Soil then becomes suitable for shrubs Shrubs shade out the grasses and take over Over time, shrubs will be shaded out by trees Succession can also happen in a lake! 2. When natural disasters occur that alter stable ecosystems (secondary succession) Fires, overgrazing, etc. Altered ecosystems will need many successions to recover

13 How does Succession occur in a lake? Lake Habitat Erosion causes buildup of Organic debris in lake Lake fills in becoming shallower and eventually becomes a swamp Filling in continues and eventually a climax forest results

14 How does Succession occur? Stage 1: Bare Bare

15 How does Succession occur? Stage 2: Lichens grow Bare With Lichens

16 How does Succession occur? Stage 3: Mosses grow Bare With Lichens With Mosses

17 How does Succession occur? Stage 4: Grasses grow Bare With Lichens With Mosses Grasses

18 How does Succession occur? Stage 5: Shrubs and small trees Bare With Lichens With Mosses Grasses Trees And Shrubs

19 How does Succession occur? Stage 6: Climax Forest ( years without disturbance) Bare With Lichens With Mosses Grasses Trees And Shrubs Climax Forest

20 What resources can we use over and over again? 1. RENEWABLE RESOURCES Can be replaced naturally Still need to be used carefully EX: Fish are renewable but over harvesting and damaging environment can inhibit renewal Can you name some renewable resources? Water, food, solar energy, Wood, Bamboo, wind

21 What resources do we use that cannot be replaced? 2. NONRENEWABLE RESOURCES (can t be replaced) Decisions we make today affect what our future will have Most things we use are being depleted due to industrialization and technology Can you list some nonrenewable resources? Fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas), minerals, metals 3. PRESERVATION = The 3 R s REDUCE REUSE RECYCLE Watch Brain Pop Video (3:32)

22 Bring your own reusable canvas grocery bags when grocery shopping- stop using plastic bags. Drive less. Take bikes, walk or carpool whenever possible reduce your CARBON footprint. What Can You Do? Plant a tree. Buy recycled paper products and recycle as much of your waste as possible. Don't let heat escape from your house over a long period. Replace a regular incandescent light bulb with a compact fluorescent light bulb.

23 Topic 7 Review: Human Impact - Ecological Problems Watch video Problem Cause Negative effects Positive Actions To reduce the problem Global Warming Destruction of the Ozone. Loss of Biodiversity

24 Ecological Problems Problem Cause Negative effects Positive Actions To reduce the problem Global Warming Destruction of the Ozone Air pollution Increased industry Burning fossil fuels Auto emissions (CO 2 ) Loss of ice caps Rise in sea level Change in weather patterns Increase in temp may cause demise of organisms Alternate energy sources Carpool, bike Plant trees to take in the CO2 Loss of Biodiversity

25 Ecological Problems Problem Cause Negative effects Positive Actions To reduce the problem Global Warming Destruction of the Ozone Loss of Biodiversity Use of chemicals that destroy ozone shield Use of CFC s in aerosols, air conditioners & refrigerants Increase exposure to UV rays Increase mutations in amphibians & reptiles Increase in # individuals with skin cancer Reduce use of CFC s Wear sunscreen & protective clothing

26 Ecological Problems Problem Cause Negative effects Positive Actions To reduce the problem Global Warming Destruction of the Ozone Loss of Biodiversity Destruction of habitat Intro to foreign (invasive) species Deforestation Clearing of lands Desertification Loss of source of medicines (from rainforests) Loss of species (hunting) Decrease in genetic variation Set up protected areas Restore wetlands Restrict logging

27 Ecological Problems Problem Cause Negative effects Positive Actions Global Warming Destruction of the Ozone Loss of Biodiversity Air pollution Increased industry Burning fossil fuels Auto emissions (CO 2 ) Use of chemicals that destroy ozone shield Use of CFC s in aerosols, air conditioners & refrigerants Destruction of habitat Intro to foreign (invasive) species Deforestation Clearing of lands Loss of ice caps Rise in sea level Change in weather patterns Increase in temp may cause demise of orgs Increase exposure to UV rays Increase mutations in amphibians & reptiles Increase in # individuals with skin cancer Loss of source of medicines (from rainforests) Loss of species (hunting) Decrease in genetic variation To reduce the problem Use Alternate energy sources Carpool, bike Plant trees to take in the CO2 Reduce use of CFC s Wear sunscreen & protective clothing Set up protected areas Restore wetlands Restrict logging