Biodiversity Flashcards
Ecological Biodiversity
different habitats, niches, species interactions
Species diversity
Different kinds of organisms, relationships among species
Genetic biodiversity
Populations, different genes, combinations of genes
Where is biodiversity?
Everywhere → each large or isolated land mass has unique life forms (not uniformly distributed). Concentration in the amazon.
Provisioning services
include the production of renewable resources e.g. food, wood, water
Regulating services
lessen environmental change e.g. climate regulation, pest control
Supporting services
nutrient cycling and crop pollination
Cultural services
human value and enjoyment e.g. landscape aesthetics, outdoor recreation, etc.
Benefits of biodiversity
provisioning services, regulating services, supporting services, cultural services
genetic diversity
all the variety of genes within a species
biosphere
largest ecosystem of all, consists of the thin layer of the earths surface where all organisms live
ecology
study of the relationships between all organisms and their environment
components of an ecosystem
abiotic factors, biotic factors, and interactions
what causes loss in biodiversity?
loss of keystone species, habitat loss, introduced species, population growth, pollution, overconsumption, extinction, climate change, and wildlife population reductions
how do we protect biodiversity?
stop over-harvesting, refuges/reserves/parks, restoration, legislation that protects endangered habitats and species, protecting biodiversity hotspots, and focus on island biogeography
what does HIPPO stand for?
main threats to biodiversity (descending order of importance)
- Habitat loss (main cause of extinction)
- Invasive/introduced species
- Pollution
- Population growth (humans)
- Over-harvesting
+ C - climate change
what populations are undergoing reductions?
- tigers/rhino (hunting)
- sharks/bluefin tuna (overharvesting)
- Atlantic salmon/orangutan (deforestation
for palm oil) - giant salamander (pollution)
- climate change (polar bear)
- polar bear (climate change
- crayfish (invasive species taking over)
Rio Declaration (1992)
states that “the precautionary principle” provides that “a lack of scientific certainty should not preclude states from adopting cost-effective measures to control environmental risks”
Problems with the Rio Convention
no defined thresholds for serious damage and does not suggest a best practice approach
UN Convention of Biological Diversity
international legal instrument that addresses the conservation of biodiversity, sustainability and equal sharing of benefits from resources (overall - encourage actions to a sustainable future)
Other management/legislation on biodiversity
- Birds Directive 2009 (EU)
- Habitats Directive 1992 (EU - covers threatened plants and non-bird animals)
- Natura 2000 network (EU - to ensure future management is sustainable, fills obligations under UNCB. centerpiece of EU nature/biodiversity policy)
- Water Framework Directive 2000 (EU)
- Marine Strategy Frameworks Directive 2008 (to achieve Good Environmental Status/MSFD subregions for EU countries)
When GES has been achieved?
- biodiversity maintained
- non-indigenous species do not adversely alter the ecosystem
- the population of commercial fish species
is healthy - elements of food webs ensure long-term
abundance and reproduction - minimized eutrophication (too many
nutrients) - seafloor integrity ensures ecosystem
function - minimal contaminants (concentrations
with no effects, below dangerous levels in
seafood) - marine litter causes no harm
- introduction of energy does not adversely
affect ecosystem - alteration of hydrographical conditions does not adversely affect the ecosystem
Environmental Impact assessment (EIA)
Assessing the impact of anthropogenic activities on the environment
What does SPA stand for?
Special Protection Areas (ex. protected sites for birds in Birds Directive)
What does SAC stand for?
Special Areas of Conservation (ex. habitat directive)
How do we manage biodiveristy
monitoring, conservatiton, legislation
