The Future of Life Natures Last Stand Edward O生命的未来最终将站立爱德华. Wilson.pptVIP

The Future of Life:Natures Last StandEdward O. Wilson Presented By: Jeremy Frazzell Introduction Some economists feel that we have virtually unlimited resources to exploit, because as we run out of one resource we always discover a substitute. Environmentalists respond that there is a finite amount of land, space and energy on Earth – eventually the biosphere will lose and humanity will soon follow. -Edward Wilson Economics vs. Biosphere Environment viewed by many politicians and economists as an “externality” - a cost that does not enter into the conventional arithmetic that determines how we use our resources GNP and stock market increase while the biosphere declines Living Planet Index - World Wide Fund for Nature 1970 to 1995 index fell 30% 1990’s decline accelerated to 3% per year with no sign of leveling Societal values, lack of education, overpopulation and poor development main causes of declining biodiversity and natural habitat Hawaii Viewed as an island paradise, but in reality: About half of the species inhabiting Hawaii have been introduced. 902 of the 1,935 free-living flowering plant species are alien 35 of original species of birds exist – 24 are endangered and 12 are beyond recovery Species are intentionally introduced or arrive as stowaways. Two examples that have caused much harm to the indigenous Hawaiian ecosystem African big-headed ant, common pig Pheidole megacephala (African big-headed ant) Sus scrofera (common pig) Large – Soldier, Small - Forager Pig brought for agriculture and released into wild, ants were stowaways Pigs destroy vegetation, spread aliens, create home for malaria Ants exterminated most of lowland native insects impacting native flora and fauna HIPPO conservation biology acronym Habitat Destruction* – land cleared for development, agriculture, industry Invasive Species – disrupt native system Pollution – contaminated water, soil Population* – greater consumption, more of HIPPO Over har