Biodiversity and Healthy Society NN
Biodiversity and Healthy Society NN
Biodiversity and Healthy Society NN
What is Biodiversity???
Biological diversity
Simply means the
diversity, or variety, of
plants and animals and
other living things in a
particular area or region
Also means the number, or
abundance of different
species living within a
particular region
Why is Biodiversity Important?
Everything that lives in an ecosystem is part of the web
of life, including humans
Each species of vegetation and each creature has a place
on the earth and plays a vital role in the circle of life
Plant, animal, and insect species interact and depend
upon one another for what each offers, such as food,
shelter, oxygen, and soil enrichment
"It is reckless to suppose that biodiversity can be
diminished indefinitely without threatening humanity
itself." -Edward O. Wilson (Father of Biodiversity)
Early Classification
To study the diversity of life, biologists use a classification system to
name organisms and group them in a logical manner.
The field of Biology that deals with classifying organisms is called
Taxonomy.
Carolus Linnaeus is the father of Modern Taxonomy (1700’s)
Hierarchy
Ranking System
Bacteria…ecological diverse
Free living soil organisms to deadly
parasites
Some need oxygen some do not need
oxygen.
Archaebacteria
Single Celled
Prokaryotic
Autotrophic and Heterotrophic
Cell walls do NOT contain
peptidogllycan
Ex: Methanogens, halophiles
Green- contain
chlorophyll
Make food by
photosynthesis
Ex: Algae. Moss,
Vascular Plants, Trees,
Flower, Etc
Animal Kingdom
Multi-Cellular
Cannot make their own
food
Most animals move
(sponge is sessile)
Vertebrates: (Backbone)
Ex: Fish, Frogs, Birds,
Snakes, and US!!
Invertebrates: (No
backbone) Ex: Sponges,
Jellyfish, Earthworm
A Mysterious Particle-Virus
Not sure which
classification to
put viruses
under
No cell parts
Chromosome-
like structures
Do not grow as
living things
Virus
1
.
A virus is an infectious particle that reproduces within
the cells of an infected host.
2
.
A virus is not alive until it enters the cells of a living
3
. plant or animal
.A virus contains genetic information wrapped in a
4
. protein coat.
Viruses can be useful as well as harmful.
5
.
A virus that mutates ensures its own survival by
6
. making itself unrecognizable to immune systems and
vaccines.
Even viruses engineered for useful purposes can be
harmful if unchecked
Biomes
Biomes
Large areas
(ecosystems) with the
same type of climax
community
Biomes located on land
are called terrestrial
Those located in oceans,
lakes, streams, or ponds
are called aquatic
Biomes
Terrestrial biomes
include:
Tundra
Taiga
Desert
Grassland
Deciduous Forest
Tropical Rain Forest
Biomes
Aquatic Biomes
include:
Marine
Estuary
Freshwater
Tundra
Tundra
Treeless land.
Short soggy summers;
long, cold, dark winters
Strong winds
Temperature never rises
above freezing for long.
Tundra
Permafrost- Permanently
frozen subsoil
Only topmost layer of soil
thaws during the summer
Poorly developed soil
Grasses, shallow-rooted
plants
Tundra Animals
Tundra Plants
Tundra
Tundra
Tundra
Tundra
Tundra
Bearberry is a common
plant that can be found in
the Tundra.
This is in the warm
season.
Threats to the Tundra
One of the
most
fragile
biomes on
Tufted Saxifrage the planet
Polar Bear
Oil drilling is
proposed The tundra is
in Alaska slow to recover
and other from damage.
areas!
Taiga
Taiga
Taiga
Sonoran Desert
Temperate Grasslands
Temperate
Grasslands
Temperate
Grasslands
Between 25 and 75 cm of
precipitation annually
Large communities
covered with grasses and
similar small plants
Occupies more area than
any other biome
Temperate Grasslands
Warm to hot summers’ and cold winters
Moderate seasonal precipitation
Fertile soils
Dominant plants: perennial grasses and herbs
and sunflowers, oats, rye, wheat
Dominant wildlife: coyotes badgers, deer, and
rabbits
Temperate Grasslands
Savanna (Tropical Grassland)
Savanna (Tropical Grassland)
Elephant
Because of their low elevation,
some savannas are threatened
by minor rises in sea level
associated with global climate
change
Koala http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/savanna_animal_page.htm
Tropical Rainforest
Tropical Rain Forest
Tropical Rain
Forests
Most biologically diverse
Found near the equator
Warm, wet weather
dominated by lush plant
growth
Receives at least 200 cm
of precipitation annually
Dense, tangled vegetation
Tropical Rain Forest
Competition for light.
Soil is usually poor due
to rapid nutrient
recycling.
Animals are often tree
dwellers.
Ex. Sloths, Monkeys,
Bamboo
AQUATIC BIOMES
75% of Earth is covered in water.
Divided into two categories freshwater and
marine
Marine Biomes: The water is salt water.
Oceans, sea, and some inland lakes contain
salt water.
Freshwater is confined to rivers, streams,
ponds and most lakes.
Marine
Oceans contain the largest
amount of biomass, or
living material, of any
biome on earth.
Many living organisms are
small, they cannot even be
seen.
Ecologist study marine
biomes by separating them
into different zones.
Freshwater
Ponds, lake, rivers, etc are
also full of life but more
so around the shoreline
and in shallow areas.
Water temperature and
sunlight penetration are
factors that limits life in
freshwater biomes.
Freshwater
In the shallow waters you
will find plants such as
cattails and sedges.
These plants serve as food
and homes for tadpoles,
aquatic insects, worms,
crayfish, dragonflies
Minnows, bluegill, and
carp also live here.
Estuary
An estuary is a coastal
body of water, partially
surrounded by land, in
which freshwater and
saltwater mix.
It may extend many miles
inland.
Estuary