BIODIVERSITY Flashcards
Variation and richness of life at a particular scale/level
Biodiversity
Coined by Walter Rozen in 1985 and first used in 1988 by E.O. Wilson
Biodiversity
variability among living organisms from the land, the seas, and the ecological complexes (Convention on Biological Diversity or CBD)
Biodiversity
LEVELS OF BIODIVERSITY
genetic diversity, species diversity, ecosystem diversity
sum total of information contained in the genes of species of plants, animals, and microorganisms; genetic variation within a species
genetic diversity
the number and relative proportions of different species, and their distribution and functions or interactions within a given spatial context
species diversity
distribution and abundance of habitats, biotic communities, and ecological processes in the biosphere
ecosystem diversity
total number of species
species richness
relative abundance/proportion of species
species evenness
describes the type of elements and the number of representatives present at each level in an area
compositional biodiversity
describes the variety of arrangement of these components -> how components are structured
structural biodiversity
the variety of biological processes, functions or characteristics of a particular ecosystem/area; variety of processes which occur due to interaction of species with each other and their environment
functional biodiversity
i.e. genetic composition of a population, kinds of habitats and communities across a specified landscape
compositional biodiversity
i.e. spatial biodiversity such as the vertical layering of trees, temporal fluctuations such as how dynamics of a fish species can change depending on the season
structural biodiversity
i.e. nutrient cycling, pollination, predation, parasitism
functional biodiversity
Potential for different lifeforms to provide information necessary for science, materials that are useful to humans, and all other recreational, medical, or consumptive benefits
anthropocentric benefits
protect a certain species or ecosystem, just in case it turns out to be useful
Anthropocentric nature of humans
services that ecosystems perform for humanity
ecosystem services
purifying water and air, pollinating crops, stabilizing soil, maintaining a proper heat balance in the atmosphere, and cycling critical nutrients
ecocentric benefits
knowing that a healthy coral reef system or a tropical forest is present can already be fulfilling the need to protect these
intrinsic value
MEASURING AND MONITORING BIODIVERSITY
(1) measure actual processes (2) surrogate approaches
surrogate approaches
keystone, umbrella, indicator, flagship
larger impact on the ecosystem (relative to its abundance)
impact becomes apparent once removed from an ecosystem
without them, an ecosystem would dramatically differ or would even cease to exist altogether
keystone species
require large areas of habitat or home range – their protection might automatically protect many co-occurring species and the ecosystems and habitat types that go with these species
umbrella species
species that set a benchmark against which comparisons can be made after a period of time
indicator species
popular, charismatic species that serve as symbols and rallying points to stimulate conservation awareness and action
flagship species
a place on Earth that is both biologically rich and deeply threatened due to habitat loss by human activity
biodiversity hotspot
represent less than 3% of the Earth’s land surface but hold more than 50% of the world’s endemic vascular plant species, and nearly 43% of endemic land vertebrates (a combination of bird, mammal, reptile, and amphibian species)
biodiversity hotspot
6th biodiversity hotspot
Philippines
suggested in 1988 by Norman Myers due to the growing concern about the rapid loss of endemic species and habitat
biodiversity hotspot
a gene, a species, or an ecosystem is only found or only lives in a particular region of the world—the loss of its kind means that it is lost forever
endemism
covers endemism at the species, genetic, and ecosystem levels in any area or region with exceptionally high biodiversity
biodiversity hotspot
areas with a low species diversity but are also home to rare species in threatened habitats
biodiversity coldspot
to ensure that the largest percentage of species are protected; to know where species are found & understand the factors that led to this non-random distribution of species
distribution of biodiversity
large unit of land or water containing a geographically distinct assemblage of species, natural communities, and environmental conditions
ecoregions
no reasonable doubt that the last individual has died
extinct EX
known only to survive in cultivation or in captivity; Let go to the wild to populate
extinct in the wild EW
evidence (severe population decline, very small population, very small geographic area occupied) indicates it is facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild during the next 10 years to be >50%
critically endangered CR
evidences (large population decline, small population, small geographic area occupied) indicate a very high risk of extinction in the wild during the next 20 years to be >20%
endangered EN
evidences (large population decline, small population, small geographic area occupied) indicate a very high risk of extinction in the wild during the next 20 years to be at least 10%
vulnerable VU
after evaluation, does not qualify for CE, EN or VU now, but is close to qualifying for or is likely to qualify for a threatened category in the near future
near threatened NT
does not qualify for CE, EN, VU, or NT; widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category
least concern LC
info is inadequate to make a direct, or indirect, assessment of its risk of extinction based on its distribution and/or population status
Data deficient DD
has not yet been evaluated against the criteria
not evaluated NE
reasons for high diversity and endemicity:
tropical location, a highly heterogeneous and complex topography, isolation
created by separate islands, and rugged topography
the decline or disappearance of biological diversity; worldwide extinction of different species; local reduction or loss of species in a certain habitat
biodiversity loss
causes of biodiversity loss
- population growth resulting to overharvesting
- habitat loss: (1) deforestation; (2) loss of mangrove species; (3) urbanization
- invasive alien species (IAS)
- environmental pollution
- climate change
major cause of deforestation
agriculture
cause species reduction
also contributes to climate change
causes water to return more quickly to the water cycle
logging operations
mangroves threatened due to agricultural and commercial expansion
loss of mangrove species
the growth of cities may lead to losses in biodiversity through fragmentation or destruction of large areas of natural habitat on which many species depend
urbanization
when a living species not commonly found in a specific location becomes dominant
invasive alien species
“species whose introduction and/or spread outside their natural past or present distribution threatens biological diversity”
IAS
toxic chemicals from industry, excess nutrients and pesticides from farms, scattered
trash from landfills, and smog in city skies
main sources are agriculture and transport
nitrogen and phosphorus are major drivers of biodiversity loss
when nitrogen reaches critical load, it damages biodiversity –> eutrophication (highly observed in Europe)
environmental pollution
changes in temperature and weather conditions impact living organisms by directly affecting their number and range of habitat
climate change
ONGOING extinction event caused by humans during the Holocene epoch (the last 12,000 yrs)
the anthropocene
effects of biodiversity loss
threats to food security, threats to energy security, unavailability of clean water, damage to social relationships
t or f: agricultural biodiversity leads to food security
true
in developing countries -> source of more than half of the energy is fuel from wood
high population of developing countries -> biodiversity loss is inevitable and energy sources are threatened
threat to energy security
biodiversity is comprised of genes and species that build valuable ecosystems which provide vital sources for agricultural production
threats to food security
forests and watersheds are sources of clean water; when disturbed, the supply of available clean water are made uncertain
unavailability of clean water
changes brought by global warming could potentially disrupt society where availability of strategic resources are disrupted
damage to social relationships
