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Lesson-4 - Ecosystem Biodiversity

This document discusses biodiversity and ecosystems. It defines biodiversity as genetic diversity within and among species, as well as ecological diversity of habitats and communities. Maintaining biodiversity is vital for sustaining life through the variety of species and ecosystem processes. Key concepts covered include genetic diversity, species diversity, ecological diversity, adaptation through natural selection, and ecosystem services provided by biodiversity.

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Irah May Cruzat
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66 views

Lesson-4 - Ecosystem Biodiversity

This document discusses biodiversity and ecosystems. It defines biodiversity as genetic diversity within and among species, as well as ecological diversity of habitats and communities. Maintaining biodiversity is vital for sustaining life through the variety of species and ecosystem processes. Key concepts covered include genetic diversity, species diversity, ecological diversity, adaptation through natural selection, and ecosystem services provided by biodiversity.

Uploaded by

Irah May Cruzat
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

LESSON 4
ECOSYSTEM
DIVERSITY
What Is Biodiversity?

• The biodiversity
found in genes,
species, ecosystems,
and ecosystem
processes is vital to
sustaining life on
earth.
Biodiversity

Genetic diversity – differences in DNA among


individuals.
Biodiversity

Species diversity – a variety of species in a given


area.
Biodiversity

Ecological diversity – a variety of habitats,


ecosystem, communities.
Functional Diversity Ecological Diversity
The biological and chemical processes such as energy The variety of terrestrial and
flow and matter recycling needed for the survival of species, aquatic ecosystems found in
communities, and ecosystems. an area or on the earth.

Genetic Diversity Species Diversity


The variety of genetic material The number and abundance of species
within a species or a population. present in different communities
Species

• A species is a group
of organisms that
may interbreed and
produce offspring
that is also capable
of reproducing the
same kind.
Phylogentic Species Concept

Use shared, unique genetic history to classify


species.
Estimated Number Of Species

Evaluated by IUCN for


threatened status.
Number of species as a
percentage of those
evaluated. Includes IUCN
categories critically
endangered, endangered, or
vulnerable.
SOURCE: IUCN Red List,
2012
Blue Morpho Butterfly

Insects and other invertebrates make up more than half of all


known species. Many, like this blue morpho butterfly, are beautiful
as well as ecologically important.
Biodiversity “hot spots” identified by Conservation
International tend to be in tropical or Mediterranean climates
and on islands, coastlines, or mountains where many habitats
exist and physical barriers encourage speciation. Numbers
represent estimated endemic (locally unique) species in each
area.
SOURCE: Data from Conservation International
Natural Selection
Adaptation

A process or the state of adjusting or changing to become


more suited to an environment. It may also refer to traits
as a result of the process.
Adaptation

Giraffes have long necks because in previous


generations long-necked individuals happened to have
an advantage in finding food, and in reproducing. This
trait has become fixed in the population.
Charles Darwin

Charles Darwin’s 1859


book, “On the Origin of
Species” by means of
Natural Selection
Darwin’s Theory of Evolution

Evolution – or change over time is the process by


which modern organisms have descended from
ancient organisms.
Evolution through Natural
Selection Summarized
Genes mutate
individuals are selected, and populations evolve such
that they are better adapted to survive and reproduce
under existing environmental conditions.
Three Myths about Evolution through
Natural Selection Refuted
1. “Survival of the fittest” does not mean
“survival of the strongest”
2. Organisms don’t develop traits just
because they would be useful: giraffes
and long necks
3. There is no grand plan of nature to
create more perfectly adapted species –
no trend toward genetic perfection
Ecosystem Services

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