Lecture 12 Biodiversity / Diversity of LifeQuestions for Today:PowerPoint PresentationSlide 4Slide 5Slide 6Slide 7WSlide 9Species diversity of salamanders in GeorgiaEndemic species- Organisms that are found only in specific localitiesSlide 12Ecological diversity includes structural complexity of habitatSlide 14Slide 15Slide 16Slide 17Slide 18Tropical BiodiversitySlide 20Slide 21Why is there high Tropical Biodiversity?Slide 23Slide 24Slide 25Slide 26Slide 27Slide 28Slide 29Dr. Paul Cox The Science of Ethnobotany videoSlide 31Slide 32Slide 33Slide 34Diversity has both regional and local components.Biodiversity hotspots – areas with high endemism & diversityMacArthur-Wilson Equilibrium Model for Island BiogeographyMacArthur-Wilson Equilibrium theory of island biogeographyMore MacArthur-WilsonMacArthur-Wilson:So, the MacArthur-Wilson Equilibrium Model for Island Biogeography predicts that large islands near a mainland will have higher biodiversity than small islands farther away…Slide 42Slide 43Slide 44Lecture 12Lecture 12Biodiversity / Diversity of LifeBiodiversity / Diversity of LifeECOL1000: ECOL1000: Ecological Basis of Environmental IssuesUniversity of GeorgiaUniversity of GeorgiaSpring 2015Spring 2015Questions for Today:Questions for Today:•What do we mean by “biodiversity”?What do we mean by “biodiversity”?•How do we measure it?How do we measure it?•Why should we strive to protect Why should we strive to protect diversity at all scales? diversity at all scales?At no time in At no time in the history of the history of Earth has there Earth has there been more been more species than species than now.now.Why would we be concerned with losses?Why would we be concerned with losses?Case study:Dr. Paul Cox, a plant physiologist, and his family moved to the Samoan rainforest in hopes of finding a cure for cancer among the many plants in this lush, tropical area.Samoa is located in a tropical region, which is characteristically warm, lush, and close to the equator. It’s this combination of environmental factors that gives areas like Samoa the greatest biodiversity on Earth.Biodiversity: variety among organisms and ecological systems at all levels of organizationWhy did Dr. Cox choose Samoa to search for a cancer cure?What is meant by variety among organisms and ecological systems at all levels of organization?1)Genetic diversity;.Genetic diversity:WithinWithin populations, biodiversity is measured by genetic diversity (that is, populations, biodiversity is measured by genetic diversity (that is, the genetic variation among individuals)the genetic variation among individuals)Ex.; hair color, height, blood type, etc.Ex.; hair color, height, blood type, etc.Genetic diversity improves survival of populationGenetic diversity improves survival of populationOutbreeding, through sexual reproduction of not closely related Outbreeding, through sexual reproduction of not closely related individuals, maximizes genetic diversityindividuals, maximizes genetic diversityInbreeding, or mating between closely related individuals, results from Inbreeding, or mating between closely related individuals, results from small populations, and increases chances of genetic diseases (e.g., small populations, and increases chances of genetic diseases (e.g., hemophilia, cystic fibrosis, etc.)hemophilia, cystic fibrosis, etc.)WWGenetic variation within a species reduces the risk of the genetic disorders associated with inbreeding. These panther cubs were produced by crossbreeding endangered Florida panthers with mountain lions from Texas; as a result, these cubs have do not display the kinds of problems that commonly arise from inbreeding.What is meant by variety among organisms and ecological systems at all levels of organization?1)Genetic diversity;2) Species diversity;.Species diversity of salamanders in Species diversity of salamanders in GeorgiaGeorgiaEndemic species- Endemic species- Organisms that are Organisms that are found only in specific localities found only in specific localities The moisture-rich forests of the southern Appalachian Mountains are an ideal home for Jordan's salamander, one of 20 salamander species found only in this location.What is meant by variety among organisms and ecological systems at all levels of organization?1)Genetic diversity;2) Species diversity;3) Ecological diversity. Biodiversity includes genetic variation, much variety of plant species, and many different community interactions.Ecological diversity includes structural complexity of Ecological diversity includes structural complexity of habitathabitatThe structural complexity of coral reefs (A) supports many more species than nearby sandy ocean bottoms (B). A tropical forest (A) has far more structural complexity than a grassland (B), which creates numerous habitats that support many more species.What is meant by variety among organisms and ecological systems at all levels of organization?1)Genetic diversity;2) Species diversity;3) Ecological diversity. The particular area where the Cox family settled had especially high ecological diversity, in addition to high genetic and species diversity. Biodiversity includes genetic variation, much variety of plant species, and many different community interactions.Which taxonomic groups account for most global biodiversity?Bacteria – 7643 species knownRoundworms – 25,000Vertebrates – 61,995Fungi – 98,998Arachnids – 102,248Which taxonomic groups account for most global biodiversity?PlantsPlants – 310,129 species known, 390,800 estimatedInsectsInsects – 1 million species known, 9 million estimatedWhich taxonomic groups account for most global biodiversity?Isoclines indicating species richness increases going towards equatorTropical BiodiversityTropical BiodiversityWithin most groups of organisms, numbers of species Within most groups of organisms, numbers of species increaseincrease markedly toward the equator. For example: markedly toward the equator. For example:–AntsAnts::at 60at 60ooN, we might find 10 species in a small N, we might find 10 species in a small regionregionat 40at 40ooN, between 50 and 100 speciesN, between 50 and 100 specieswithin 20within 20oo of equator, between 100 and 200 of equator, between 100 and 200 species within a similarly small regionspecies within a similarly small region–BirdsBirds::in Greenland, we find 56 speciesin Greenland, we find 56 speciesin New York state, 105 speciesin New York state, 105