Biodiversity,

Human
Impact,
and
Conservation

Lecture 1: Biodiversity

Biodiversity is the variation of lifeforms

within a given ecosystem.

Genetic Diversity: individual genetic variation

within a population and the genetic variation
between populations
Species Diversity: the variety of species in an
ecosystem
Ecosystem Diversity: the variety of the
biospheres ecosystems

An Ecosystem is the sum of all the

organisms in a given area as well as the
abiotic factors with which they interact.
A Biodiversity Hotspot is a relatively small
area with an exceptional concentration of
endemic species and a large number of
endangered or threatened species.

Understanding Ecology
Studying ecology will reveal the richness of the
biosphere.
Ecological interactions can determine both the
distribution of organisms and their abundance.
With this understanding, one will be able to help
conserve and sustain biodiversity.

Determining Species
Distribution and
Abundance
1) Environmental
1) Environmental
Factors

Temperature
Seasonality

2)Amount and
Variability of
Precipitation
Dispersal contributes
to this global
distribution of species.

Above: Biogeographic
realms indicating
distribution patterns
due to continental
drift and topographic
land barriers

Flowchart of Factors
Limiting Geographic
Distribution
Understanding the Flow
Chart:

Behavior Limits: refer to habitat

selection

Biotic Factors: mainly refer to

predation and the presence or absence
of food resources but may also include
parasitism, disease, or competition

Abiotic Factors: include temperature,

water, sunlight, wind, and climate
conditions

Climate mainly determines

the Distribution and
Structure of Ecosystems

Temperature and
precipitation in
addition with
physical geographic
features determine
the structure of
terrestrial Biomes

Introduction to The
Tropics

Tropics are the location of many

biodiversity hotspots because of their
unique structure and history that
resulted in species diversity.
50% of the worlds species are found in
the tropical rainforests.

Tropical Rainforests as
Hotspots

There are 3 main

regions of tropical
rainforests

1)The Americas
2)Africa
3)Australasia

The Conservation
International has
established global
hotspots.
An interactive map can be
found here:
http://www.biodiversityhot
spots.org/Pages/default.as
px

Biodiversity is not
limited to animal
species but plant
species as well.

Tropical Rainforests are

comprised of 100-300+
species of trees pre
hectare. And few trees
are common, while
many are rare

The Tropical Rainforests

have increased faunal
diversity and density

Effects of Faunal Groups

Direct contribution to species richness

Indirect effects on plant and animal
diversity
Contribute substantially to total
biodiversity of Rainforests
Contribute irreplaceable services such
as seed dispersal, seed predation, and
seed pollination
In summary, the faunal composition
effects how ecosystems function

Like faunal groups effect

Tropical Rainforests,
marine ecosystems are
affected by Coral Reefs

Coral Reefs are among

the most Diverse
Ecosystem
Coral Reefs are the richest in species
of any marine environment
Coral Reefs are the keystone species
of the marine environment
Note a keystone species is a species
whose presence has a disproportionate
effect on the ecosystem and contributes
to the diversity of the ecosystem.
Without this species, there is a direct
correlation to extinction in other species

Coral Reefs, The Hotspot

Coral Reefs only comprise

0.2% of the Earths Ocean
Surface and they almost
exclusively occur within the
Tropics
Abundance and Distribution
is strongly affected by
temperature
The Current Distribution of
Coral Reefs is shown to the
right.
-Caribbean
-Coast of Central America
-Indo-Pacific Waters
-East Coast of Australia

Biodiversity is
Effected by
Several Biotic
and Abiotic
Factors, but the
Greatest Threat
to Biodiversity is
Human Impact