Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the key factor that determines a species' potential for adaptation?
What is the key factor that determines a species' potential for adaptation?
Which explanation is suggested for the increase in biodiversity as latitude decreases?
Which explanation is suggested for the increase in biodiversity as latitude decreases?
What is a significant consequence of ecosystem loss, even if some species survive?
What is a significant consequence of ecosystem loss, even if some species survive?
Which of the following statements about endemic species is true?
Which of the following statements about endemic species is true?
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What role do secondary plant compounds play in the survival of plants?
What role do secondary plant compounds play in the survival of plants?
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What percentage of modern drugs is estimated to contain at least one plant extract as of recent evaluations?
What percentage of modern drugs is estimated to contain at least one plant extract as of recent evaluations?
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Which of the following best explains the concept of ecosystem services in agriculture?
Which of the following best explains the concept of ecosystem services in agriculture?
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Which animal is primarily responsible for the estimated $1.6 billion annual contribution to the United States through pollination?
Which animal is primarily responsible for the estimated $1.6 billion annual contribution to the United States through pollination?
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What impact does the loss of wild species related to domesticated crops have on agriculture?
What impact does the loss of wild species related to domesticated crops have on agriculture?
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What drastic effect does over-harvesting in fisheries typically have on marine ecosystems?
What drastic effect does over-harvesting in fisheries typically have on marine ecosystems?
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What does biodiversity traditionally measure?
What does biodiversity traditionally measure?
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Which statement best reflects the consequences of current accelerated extinction rates?
Which statement best reflects the consequences of current accelerated extinction rates?
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How is species diversity typically quantified?
How is species diversity typically quantified?
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What does more sophisticated measures of biodiversity consider?
What does more sophisticated measures of biodiversity consider?
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Why is the loss of certain individual species sometimes viewed as unimportant?
Why is the loss of certain individual species sometimes viewed as unimportant?
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Study Notes
Biodiversity Measurement and Loss
- Biodiversity encompasses biological variety at various levels (genes, populations, ecosystems).
- Traditional measures include species count and individual counts per species.
- Loss of species like the passenger pigeon, dodo, and woolly mammoth might seem inconsequential, but current accelerated extinction rates threaten thousands of species.
- Tropical rainforests, rich in biodiversity, are heavily impacted by deforestation for timber and agriculture, potentially harming human welfare.
- Ecosystem collapse and increased costs for food production, clean water/air, and human health are likely consequences.
Types of Biodiversity
- Species diversity is a basic measure, counting species in an area (e.g., 2078 bird species in North/Central America).
- More complex measures consider species abundance (a forest with equally common species is more diverse than one dominated by one species).
- Scientists have documented ~1.5 million species, but estimate many more (potentially 10 million+) remain undiscovered (especially microorganisms).
Genetic and Chemical Biodiversity
- Genetic diversity drives a species' adaptability.
- A species' future adaptability depends on the genetic variation within its populations.
- Genetic diversity is also linked to chemical diversity, as different genetic makeups lead to distinct cellular chemical compositions (proteins, metabolic products).
- Chemical diversity is crucial for humans, potentially yielding new medicines (e.g., eptifibatide from rattlesnake venom).
Ecosystem Diversity
- Ecosystem diversity refers to the range of ecosystems in an area.
- Ecosystem loss impacts species interactions and coadaptation.
- Examples of lost ecosystems are North American prairies.
- The loss of ecosystem functions (e.g., soil productivity) often outweighs direct species loss.
Patterns of Biodiversity
- Biodiversity is unevenly distributed.
- Lake Victoria's high cichlid diversity contrasts with Lake Huron's lower diversity.
- Geographic factors (like latitude and age) influence biodiversity patterns.
- Tropics tend to have greater biodiversity (more endemic species and biodiversity hotspots), but knowledge about tropical species is limited and human activity poses a high risk of biodiversity loss.
Importance of Biodiversity
- Biodiversity is crucial for human health, food security, and other aspects.
- Human health benefits from natural medicines found in diverse organisms (e.g., plant secondary compounds).
- Many contemporary medicines are derived from plant compounds (e.g., aspirin, codeine, digoxin, atropine, vincristine).
- Antibiotics are derived from fungi/bacteria.
- Humans benefit from psychological well-being in biodiverse environments.
Agriculture
- Human agriculture relies on crop diversity.
- Wild relatives of crops are essential for breeding improvements.
- Ecosystem services are crucial for crop growth (e.g., nutrient cycles in soil, pollination).
- Loss of wild relatives or ecosystem health can reduce crop production capacity.
- Honeybee and other pollinators are vital; colony collapse disorder impacts food production.
Wild Food Sources
- Aquatic resources (fish) are primary food sources for billions globally.
- Overfishing can lead to ecosystem restructuring and negative impacts on local communities.
- Fish stocks are often shifting towards smaller species.
Threats to Biodiversity
- Human population growth and resource use are the central threats.
- The three main proximate threats are habitat loss, overharvesting, and invasive species.
- Anthropogenic climate change is a growing threat with predictions of increased extinction rates.
Habitat Loss
- Human modification and habitat destruction disproportionately affect certain species that cannot adapt to human alterations.
- Forest loss is a significant threat in Sumatra and Borneo, impacting orangutans and other species.
- Habitat loss is a major cause of biodiversity decline.
Overharvesting
- Overharvesting, particularly in fisheries, is a key threat.
- The tragedy of the commons is a major driver.
- Overfishing has led to significant declines in some fisheries (e.g., the western Atlantic cod fishery).
Invasive Species
- Invasive species pose a significant threat via competition, predation, or disease.
- Ships' ballast water often introduces aquatic invasive species (e.g., zebra mussels in the Great Lakes).
- Disease-carrying invasive species can decimate native populations (e.g., chytridiomycosis in amphibians, white-nose syndrome in bats).
Climate Change
- Climate change (anthropogenic global warming) is a major threat.
- Climate shifts impact species ranges and timing of seasonal events.
- Range shifts are observed in various species.
- Rising sea levels endanger coastal species and ecosystems.
Preserving Biodiversity
- Preserving biodiversity requires understanding, behavioral change, and conservation strategies.
- Biodiversity is a dynamic balance between speciation and extinction.
- Mass extinctions (including the one that wiped out dinosaurs) have happened repeatedly throughout history.
- Human activities are driving a sixth mass extinction.
Conservation Efforts
- Legislation, preserves, and habitat restoration are main strategies.
- CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) restricts international trade of threatened species.
- Endangered Species Act (USA) aims at protecting, but is sometimes ineffective.
- Preserves (protected areas) are fundamental, but face challenges due to political/economic limitations.
Biodiversity Hotspots
- Biodiversity hotspots are areas with high concentrations of endemic species.
- Conservation efforts can protect large numbers of species.
Role of Zoos and Captive Breeding
- Zoos are increasingly involved in conservation but face limited successes in species reintroduction to the wild.
- Education programs play a role in changing people's attitudes towards conservation.
Extinction Rates
- Current extinction rates are higher than background rates.
- Estimates vary but often are significantly higher (e.g., 100 E/MSY, up to 1500 E/MSY) than the background rate and often higher than historical values, highlighting the impact of humans.
Habitat Restoration
- Habitat restoration can help restore biodiversity in degraded ecosystems; examples include reintroducing key species to affected areas.
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Description
Explore the vital aspects of biodiversity including its measurement and the alarming rates of species loss. Delve into traditional and complex measures of biodiversity, the impact of deforestation, and potential consequences on human welfare. Understand the significance of species diversity and the crucial role ecosystems play in sustaining life.
