Biodiversity Loss.pptx

Biodiversity Loss Canadian & World Issues A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson • “No one knows how many species or organisms have existed since life began • 30 billion is a commonly cited figure, but the number has been put as high as 4,000 billion • Whatever the actual total, 99.99...

Biodiversity Loss Canadian & World Issues A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson • “No one knows how many species or organisms have existed since life began • 30 billion is a commonly cited figure, but the number has been put as high as 4,000 billion • Whatever the actual total, 99.99 % of all species that have ever lived are no longer with us. • For complex organisms, the average lifespan of a species has been only about 4 million years – roughly about where we (as humans) are now • Earth has seen 5 major extinction episodes in its time” – the Ordovician (440 mya – 85% species loss) – Devonian (365 mya – 85% species loss) – Permian (245 mya – by far the biggest loss – at least 95% of all species) – Triassic (210 mya – 75% species loss) – Cretaceous (65 mya – 75% loss, • All the previous statements are only an estimation • If we don’t know how many species were alive, we can hardly know how many perished • Major difference between then and now is the rate of extinction – much faster today than ever seen before Today…. • It has been estimated that anywhere from 4-20 species go extinct every day. • That could be 35 species a week, 1,820 species a year, 18,200 species in 10 years, or 32,760 species since you were born! • “At least half of all plant and animal species are likely to disappear in the wild within the next 30-50 years, including many of the most familiar and beloved large mammals: (Call of Life documentary) – elephants, polar bears, chimpanzees, gorillas and all the great apes, all the big cats, rhinos, and many, many others” But, how far should we go to protect a species? • What is a species worth? – – – – $100? $1 million? $72 million? Priceless?? Causes - think HIPPO Habitat Loss • Removal of the natural landscape in search of: – Resources (fuel, lumber, minerals, water) – Places to live (homes, infrastructure, roads) • Cities and towns expand into Causes - HIPPO Introduced and Invasive Species • Invasive species are ones that are not native to a particular ecosystem • Pose threats to native species through competition for food (i.e. zebra mussels, Asian carp, and purple loosestrife in Ontario) • Some “hitchhike”, others are intentionally introduced Causes - HIPPO Pollution • Wastes, gases, and toxic chemicals from industry, energy production, sewage, fertilizers, transportation, and pesticides contaminate the air, soil, and water resources • Contaminants are absorbed into the plants and animals • We then eat those species Causes - HIPPO Population • Population growth expands into previously natural areas • Settlements are growing into megacities • Land uses are changed (urban sprawl) • Rivers are dammed or diverted • Loons? N ot loons t oo? Causes - HIPPO Over-consumption • Using up more than nature can replenish • Exacerbated by growing population, poverty, affluence, climate change • Combustion of fossil fuels creates greenhouse gases • CO2 content has increased more than 30% and methane content has increased 145% since pre-industrial times Use of Fossil Fuels Overconsumption Cont’d • Exploitation - Commercial and recreational (fishing and hunting) overkill of a species • Public demand for tropical hardwoods remains high • Some animals seen as vermin or a threat, some used for “alternative medicine” like sharks, rhinos, and bears "Biodiversity losses of small inedible species often provoke the response, "Who cares? Do you really care less for humans than for some lousy useless little fish or weed, like the snail darter or Furbish lousewort?" This response misses the point that the entire natural world is made up of wild species providing us for free with services that can be very expensive, and in many cases impossible, for us to supply ourselves. The elimination of lots of lousy little species regularly causes big harmful consequences for Google My Map Collaboration Google My Maps Collaboration a. Galapagos Islands b. Great Barrier Reef c. Amazon Rainforest d. the Arctic (choose a specific location) e. Antarctica (choose a specific location) f. Serengeti National Park g. Great Bear Rainforest h. Borneo, Indonesia Add to the Map - Your name - One of the unique types of flora or fauna found in the region - Cultural/indigenous groups in the region - What factors are threatening the species in the region? - Provide two interesting “fun facts” about the region - Add a minimum of 3 photos of the region and/or the unique flora/fauna