BIODIVERSITY AN INTRODUCTION.ppt

BIODIVERSITY : AN INTRODUCTION Lost My Child Today ? I lost my child today. People came to weep and cry, as I just sat and stared, dry eyed. They struggled to find words to say to try and make the pain go away. I lost my child today………………. And at the base Five mass extinctions End Ordovician (~445 Ma) Late Devonian (~365 Ma) End Permian (~250 Ma) End Triassic (~210 Ma) End Cretaceous (65 Ma) And we are moving towards the SIXTH…………….. What is BIODIVERSITY ? Refers to the numbers, variety and variability of living organisms and ecosystem. Includes all terrestrial, marine and other aquatic organisms. Covers diversity within species, between species as well as variations among ecosystems. Factors determining Degree of Diversity Habitat stress Geographical isolation Dominance by one species Availability of ecological niches Edge effect Geological history Types of Biodiversity Genetic diversity - Diversity of genes within a species. i.e. genetic variability among the populations and the individuals of the same species. Species diversity- Diversity among species in an ecosystem. “Biodiversity hotspots” are excellent examples of species diversity. Ecosystem diversity- Diversity at a higher level of organization, the ecosystem. To do with the variety of ecosystems on Earth. Importance of Biodiversity. Biodiversity has contributed in many ways to the development of human culture, and, in turn, human communities have played a major role in shaping the diversity of nature at the genetic, species, and ecological levels. Important Role of Biodiversity Ecological Role….. Economic Role….. Scientific Role….. Ecological Role of Biodiversity All species provide at least one function in an ecosystem. Each function is an integral part of regulating the species balance, species diversity and species health: all as