Tropical Biodiversity Overview

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Questions and Answers

What aspect of biological diversity is not mentioned in the initial definition?

  • Ecological roles performed by life forms
  • The geographic distribution of life forms (correct)
  • Genetic diversity contained within life forms
  • Variety of existing life forms

Which of the following is NOT a direct benefit of biological diversity?

  • Maintaining potential for resources like food and medicine
  • Meeting human needs for goods and services
  • Allowing species to evolve and adapt
  • Intrinsic values relating to biodiversity (correct)

What is the main purpose of a gene bank?

  • To store genetic material for potential future use to meet human needs. (correct)
  • To allow species to adapt to changing environmental conditions.
  • To create new species never before seen.
  • To maintain ecological roles of organisms

Which of the following is NOT a role biodiversity plays according to the text?

<p>Facilitating international trade (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is implied when the text mentions 'cultural and aesthetic values' in relation to biological diversity?

<p>That biodiversity has importance beyond commercial or practical use. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason for the lack of knowledge of biological diversity in some countries?

<p>Insufficient scientific research and monitoring. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which region of the world is NOT identified as having high forest tree species richness in the text?

<p>North America (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the relevance of Brazil being mentioned as having the highest number of forest trees?

<p>It helps to understand that one country has unique diversity compared to others. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'latitudinal diversity gradient' refer to?

<p>The decline in species richness as you move away from the equator. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the main processes influencing species richness?

<p>Speciation, extinction and dispersal. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How might the ecological stability of the tropics contribute to higher species richness?

<p>By providing opportunities for niche specialization and allopatric speciation. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by the idea that the tropics act as a 'cradle' of biodiversity?

<p>The tropics are a place where new species originate. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the text suggest about the tropics as a 'museum' of biodiversity?

<p>The tropics are a place where old species can persist. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of these is NOT mentioned as a factor contributing to the high species richness in the tropics?

<p>Strong seasonal variations. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the potential impact of undermining or deteriorating the tropics on a global scale, according to David Jablonski?

<p>It undercuts evolutionary production globally. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes how climate influences species distribution?

<p>It influences species distribution patterns in both temperate and tropical regions. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Latitudinal Diversity Gradient

The phenomenon where species richness decreases as you move away from the equator towards the poles.

Tropics: Cradle and Museum of Biodiversity

The tropics are a region where new species evolve (cradle) and old species survive (museum), leading to high biodiversity.

Tropics: The Engine of Biodiversity

The loss of biodiversity in the tropics has a global impact, as the tropics are a major contributor to the evolution of new species.

Processes Influencing Species Richness

The processes influencing species richness are speciation (new species formation), extinction (loss of species), and dispersal (movement of species).

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Climate: Influencing Species Distribution

Climate plays a crucial role in determining species distribution in both temperate and tropical regions, including species specialization and allopatric speciation.

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Climate Stability and Accumulation of Species

Stable climates in the tropics may have led to reduced extinction rates and the accumulation of a diverse array of species over time.

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Other Drivers of Biodiversity

Other factors like mountain uplift, continental drift (biogeography), and high rates of speciation contribute to high species richness and endemism in certain regions.

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Speciation in Closely Related Species

Speciation, or the formation of new species, is frequently observed in closely related species, especially within regions with high rates of speciation.

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Biological Diversity

The variety of life forms on Earth, encompassing the different species, their ecological roles, and the genetic diversity within them.

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Adaptability and Ecosystem Functioning

The ability of species to adapt and evolve in response to changes in their environment, ensuring the survival and health of ecosystems.

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Resource Potential

The vast potential of biological diversity to provide resources for human needs, including food, medicine, and materials for various uses.

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Gene Bank

The collection and preservation of genetic material from diverse organisms to ensure their future availability for research, conservation, and economic development.

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Ecosystem Services

The various benefits provided by ecosystems, including soil erosion control, flood prevention, climate regulation, nutrient cycling, pollination, biological pest control, pollution mitigation, environmental monitoring, and more.

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Values of Biological Diversity

The values that humans place on biological diversity, including food security, medicinal resources, commercial opportunities, cultural heritage, aesthetic appreciation, and the intrinsic value of life.

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Knowledge Gaps in Biological Diversity

Lack of sufficient knowledge and data on biological diversity in many countries, especially in tropical forests, highlighting the need for further research.

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Forest Tree Species Richness in South America

The high concentration of forest tree species in South America, particularly in Brazil and the Amazon basin, indicating the importance of these regions for global biodiversity.

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Study Notes

Tropical Biodiversity: Global Importance

  • Tropical regions hold immense biodiversity, globally significant.
  • Researchers estimate 3-30 million species exist on Earth.
  • Currently, only 1.7 million species have been identified.
  • Tropical regions are critical for biodiversity.

What is Biodiversity?

  • Biodiversity encompasses the variety of existing life forms.
  • It includes the ecological roles performed by these forms.
  • This also considers the genetic diversity within these life forms.
  • It allows species to adapt to changing environmental conditions.
  • It supports ecosystem functioning and maintains resources like food and medicine.
  • A gene bank concept is associated with biodiversity.

How Many Species Are on Earth?

  • The estimate for the number of species on Earth varies.
  • Some estimates predict over 100 million.
  • Currently, 1.7 million species are identified.

Geographical Distribution of Tropical Forests

  • A map illustrates the global distribution of tropical forests.

Global Diversity of Mammal Species

  • A current compendium lists a total of 5416 mammal species.
  • These are categorized into 28 orders.
  • Distribution is shown on a world map with species richness.

Species Richness

  • A map displays species richness for all 9,993 bird species.
  • Distribution is highlighted on a world map based on the data.

IUCN Red List Index of Species Survival

  • This graphic tracks the survival of different species groups over time.
  • Shows changes in indices for birds, mammals, amphibians, and corals.

Biodiversity Index by Country

  • A world map displays a diversity index for countries.
  • The index shows the relative biodiversity level in various regions.

Why is Biodiversity Important and Why Conserve It?

  • Biodiversity offers vital biological services.
  • It also includes significant economic value.

Biological Services

  • Biodiversity protects from environmental hazards (soil erosion, floods).
  • It mitigates climate change risks.
  • It recycles nutrients.
  • It supports pollination and biological control.
  • It monitors environmental health.

Economic Value

  • It supports various economic sectors, such as food.
  • It provides medicine.
  • It offers commercial benefits.
  • It contributes to cultural and aesthetic values.
  • It has intrinsic values.

Biodiversity Across the Globe

  • Many countries lack comprehensive reports on biological diversity.
  • Knowledge is limited, especially in tropical forests.
  • South America exhibits high average numbers of native forest tree species.
  • Brazil possesses the highest number of forest trees globally (7,880), with rich biodiversity.
  • Regions including Central Africa, Central America, East Asia, Madagascar, and Southeast Asia showcase high forest tree species richness.

Why BioDiversity is Richest in Tropics

  • Latitudinal diversity gradients show declining species richness away from the equator.
  • The tropics are both a cradle and a museum of biodiversity.
  • The tropics are the engine of biodiversity.

Mode of Biodiversity

  • Evolutionary processes affect species richness.
  • Speciation, extinction, and dispersal are key elements.
  • Hypotheses and investigations into the mechanisms are ongoing.

Mode of BioD – (1) Climate

  • Climate influences species distribution.
  • Tropical stability promotes niche specialization and speciation.
  • Stability may reduce extinction rates.

Mode of BioD – (2) Biogeography

  • Isolation, via uplift and continental drift, impact species richness and endemism.

Mode of BioD – (3) Phylogenetic

  • High species generation rates and dispersal capabilities within species further enhance biodiversity.

Importance of Keeping Biodiversity

  • The presenter suggests videos on the web illustrating these ideas in various contexts.

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Tropical Biodiversity: Global Importance PDF

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