Biodiversity

1
Biodiversity

• Biodiversity the variety of life in an area.
• Importance
• A species loss may have consequences for other
  species
• Animals need plants
• plants need pollinators
• Trees need decomposers to restore nutrients
• Humans depend on other organisms
• Oxygen is supplied and Co2 is removed by plants
  and algae
• Diverse diets
• Clothing, furniture,and building materials
• Manufacture Drugs that improve health

2

Loss of Biodiversity
Extinction the disappearance of a species
Passenger pigeons
Woodland caribou
Leopard frog
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Threatened Species

• Threatened species a rapid decline of a
  population of species

Elephants
Logger-head Turtles
Sea Otters
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Endangered Species

• Endangered species when a species numbers
  become low
• enough to become extinct

Black Rhinoceros
Florida manatees
California condor
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Threats to Biodiversity
Human population growth and development Habitat
Loss - cutting down rain forests Habitat
fragmentation - highways that separate Habitat
degradation - damage by pollution Acid rain
low pH from coal-burning factories
nitrogen oxides from auto exhausts
combine with water vapor. Ozone Layer (O3)
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) break down
ozone layer that protects Earth from UV
rays. Water Pollution - Excess fertilizers and
wastes Land Pollution - solid wastes Exotic
Species Introduced - Take over original population
Zebra mussels
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Conservation of Biodiversity

• Legal Protections of species
• Preserving habitats
• Reintroduction programs

The Gray Wolf
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The End
Black-footed Ferret