International Day for Biological Diversity

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International Day for Biological Diversity

• Conservation Close to Home Our role on
  protecting the rare plants of the limestone
  barrens

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What is biodiversity?

• Short for biological species diversity.
• Species richness (the number of species in one
  area)

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BIODIVERSITY
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What is the International Day for Biological
Diversity?

• Celebration of biodiversity.
• A day to reflect on our responsibility to protect
  biodiversity for future generations.
• A day for us to learn about biodiversity and our
  role in biological conservation.

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Whats the big deal?

• Why should we care?
• What have we (humans) done?
• Does it really matter if that rare species
  becomes extinct?
• How does it affect us?

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Rivet-popping hypothesis
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Biodiversity Life Insurance
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Everything is important!

• No matter how big or small.
• Regardless of its importance to humans.
• Cute and ..not so cute!
• Everything counts!!

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Rare species in NL
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Nowhere else on EARTH!
Longs braya Braya longii
Fernalds braya Braya fernaldii
Barrens willow Salix jejuna
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The Limestone Barrens
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The Limestone Barrens
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Fossils
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The Plants of the Limestone Barrens
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The very rare

• COSEWIC designated
• Braya longii endangered
• B. fernaldii threatened and provincially
  designated
• Salix jejuna endangered

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L.N
L.H.
B. longii
B. fernaldii
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B. longii Petal length 4 - 5 mm
B. fernaldii Petal length 2 - rarely 4 mm
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B. longii
B. fernaldii
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Barrens willow
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Fernalds milk vetch
Astragalus robinsii subsp. fernaldii
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Its not easy being rare
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WHY are they so rare?
L.H.
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WHY are they so rare?
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What can we do?

• Limestone barrens species-at-risk recovery team.
• Main goal is to secure long term persistence of
  rare species on the limestone barrens.

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What can we do?

• MUN Botanical Garden

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What can WE do?
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• Limestone Barrens Posters (6.00)- all proceeds
  go to rare plant research
• Poster in display room
• Brochures (coming soon!)
• New Website!
• www.limestonebarrens.ca