1.1 Importance of Biodiversity

• Biodiversity: Biodiversity means there are a variety of living organisms and millions of different species on earth.
• Species: Able to interbreed and produce fertile/viable offspring. Mating occurs naturally.
• Genetic Diversity: The diversity of DNA patterns within a species. Allows populations to adapt to changes in their environments (ex. disease resistance in humans).
• Current farming practices use genetically uniform crops- monocultures. Any new pests/diseases that occur can potentially destroy entire crops (ex. Irish Potato Famine 1840s).
• Inbreeding of one species will reduce genetic diversity. Problems that can arise from inbreeding: Epilepsy, breathing problems, twisted stomachs, hip dysplasia, etc.
• Spanish flu (1918-1919) killed an estimated 50 Million people. Some people were not as severely affected as others because of genetic diversity.
• Species Diversity: The number of different species within a given area. (ex. rainforests have high species diversity, arctic has low species diversity).
• Each species contributes to the ecosystem. Many species depend on one another for survival (Symbiotic relationships). Everything matters-so take care of our planet’s soil, water and air to maintain it! Recycle! Reuse items! Reduce your carbon footprint!
• High species diversity helps maintain ecosystems. (ex. Insect eating birds benefit from a large diversity of prey items).
• High species diversity helps maintain ecosystem functions. (ex. Different species of wetland plants help filter water, prevent shoreline erosion, provide habitat for fish etc.)
• Ecosystem Diversity: Different types of ecosystems within a given area.
• Biotic: Living things that affect the population of a species, such as predators and parasites.
• Abiotic: Non-living factors that affect the environment, such as temperature, light intensity, and soil moisture.
• High Ecosystem Diversity = High Species Diversity (Diverse habitats can support more species).
• High Species Diversity = Stronger Ecosystems (Ecosystems can with withstand disturbances ex. Forest fires & Drought).
• Pollinator: An insect or other agent that conveys pollen to a plant and so allows fertilization.
• Insects, birds, and bats all increase plant genetic biodiversity in fruits/vegetables. (Bees pollinate around 1/ 3 of all fruits/ vegetables we eat).
• We get products like Aspirin from willows, Antibiotics from fungi, and Anti-cancer drugs from many plants (i.e. Rosy periwinkle).
• Ecosystems filter water, cycle nutrients, clean the air, prevent flooding, and prevent erosion. Ecosystems also help modify climate.
• Kyestone Species: Species that are dispropotionally large effect on an ecosystem.
• Symbiotic Relationships: Symbiosis is a close relationship between two species in which at least one species benefits. For the other species, the relationship may be positive, negative, or neutral. There are three basic types of symbiosis: mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism.
• Mutualism: A relationship in which both organisms benefit from the interaction.
• Commensalism: One organism benefits and the other is not harmed.
• Parasitism: A relationship between two organisms in which one organism benefits at the expense of the other.
• Inbreeding: The mating of closely related individuals, which can lead to a reduction in genetic variation.
• Symbiotic Relationship: A relationship between two organisms.
• Walking Ecosystems: Our bodies are colonised from top to bottom by microbes that, not happy with behaving like guests, are actually integrated into our biology.