IB - A4.2 - Conservation of Biodiversity

Unit 1 -
Ecology
Topics:
The study of
A 4.2 (all)
organisms in relation
B 4.1 (all)
to their environment
B 4.2 (all)
C 4.1.1-4.1.4
C 4.2 (all)
Topic 4.2 – Ecology - Stability &
Change
Biodiversity-What is it?
Biodiversity
• Biodiversity = biological diversity
• A measure of number of species and relative abundance.
• Ecosystem diversity – range of different habitats
• Species diversity – variety of species
• Genetic diversity – range of genetic material in a gene pool
Recall
• What is a species?
Organisms that can produce fertile offspring with each other. It
can look tricky
Biodiversity
• As energy available in an area increases (near the equator),
productivity increases
• High productivity mean high biomass production
• Productive ecosystems support a large biodiversity
• Ex. Tropical Rainforest, Tropical ocean reef
Terrestrial Biomes
Alberta’s Biome
The Badlands - Drumheller
Grassland
North of Cochrane
Temperate Deciduous Forest –
Pincher Creek
Desert – Lesser Slave Lake
Springbank
Your biome
A4.2: Conservation of
Biodiversity
How many of these animals will be extinct from the
wild when your grandchildren are born?
Why are they
disappearing?
Biodiversity
• Biodiversity = biological diversity
• A measure of number of species and relative abundance.
• Ecosystem diversity – range of different habitats
• Species diversity – variety of species
• Genetic diversity – range of genetic material in a gene pool
Richness vs evenness in species
biodiversity
Ecosystem A Ecosystem B
• Richness = number
of species in an area
• Evenness =
abundance of each
species
Which ecosystem has

more species
diversity?
What ecosystem is healthier?
Low diversity could be an indicator of pollution, eutrophication,

invasive species and more
Recall
• What is a species?
Biological Definition of a
Species
Organisms that can produce fertile
offspring with each other.
The Alberta Northern Frog is an
indicator species that provides us
with information about the health
of it’s habitat.
Comparisons between past and
current levels of biodiversity
• Last major extinction was 66
million years ago. Biodiversity has
been increasing since then and is
at it’s highest point now, ranging
between 2-10 million eukaryote
species worldwide.
• Human activity is possibly causing
the 6th mass extinction.
Scientists believe that
we are entering a
new geological time
period:
The Anthropocene -
era of humans
Simpson’s Reciprocal Index =
used as evidence for a biodiversity
crisis
• This equation can be used to
calculate species diversity /
“evenness”
• A high D suggests stability
• A low D suggests a disturbance
where one species may dominate
Species found Number found in habitat X Number found in habitat
Y
A 10 3
B 10 5
C 10 2
D 10 36
E 10 4
Species found Number found in habitat X Number found in habitat
Y
A 10 3
B 10 5
C 10 2
D 10 36
E 10 4
Estimates of the types of species on
Earth
Causes of anthropogenic
species extinction
Indices, like the Simpsons Reciprocal Index, suggest that current
extinction rates are very high- caused by human activities
Some examples:
• Overharvesting
• Habitat destruction
• Invasive species
• Pollution
• Global climate change
The Giant Moa
• Large bird native to New Zealand.
• Population stable for 40,000 years
until humans arrived in 1280.
• All moas extinct in 200 years due
to ________________ and
__________________.
Caribbean Monk Seals
• Last confirmed sighting in 1952
• Declared extinct in 2008
• Extinction due to hunting for
fur, meat and blubber oil,
overfishing their prey and
capture for display in zoos.
Banff Longnosed Dace
• Found in a marsh fed by Banff Hot Springs
• Extinct since 1986 due to pollution from nearby hotsprings
pool development and introduction of aquarium fish which
outcompeted them.
Approaches to Conservation of Biodiversity
• In Situ Conservation
• Conservation of species in their natural environment
• Active management of nature reserves and national parks
Limiting predators Controlling poaching Reintroducing species Rewilding
• Ex Situ Conservation
• Preservation of species outside their natural habitat
Zoos Captive breeding DNA/Germ Cell storage facilities

STUDENT PRESENTATIONS
• In pairs, research a species that is critically endangered or extinct.
• Randomly choose a “Biological Hotspot” to study and find a species
that is/was located in that region.
• On one slide only, present your hotspot, species, data and information
about your organism. You will give a three minute presentation
tomorrow to the class on your organism and be graded on both your
visual and your presentation. It should include:
• A picture/description of your species
• Cause of the population decrease/extinction
• Approaches to conservation or further prevention

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Unit 1 -

Which ecosystem has

Low diversity could be an indicator of pollution, eutrophication,

Limiting predators Controlling poaching Reintroducing species Rewilding

Zoos Captive breeding DNA/Germ Cell storage facilities

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