Adaptation and

Survival of Populations
Report by: Coralde & Sabino
 Pre - Test
1. The following is a part of the 6 Kingdoms of Life EXCEPT;
a. Prostista c. Eubacteria
b. Archaebacteria d. Viruses
2. Refers to the enormous variety of living species on Earth, from
across all levels, and habitats.
a. Biodiversity
b. Diversity

c. Environment
d. Ecosystem
3. How many types of biodiversity are there?
a. 1 c. 3
b. 2 d. 4
4. Which organization has the world's most comprehensive record of
conservation statuses?
a. IUCN c. CNUI
b. ICNU d. UICN
5. Why is biodiversity important?
a. Because it provides us with nourishment, housing, fuel, clothing and
several other resources.
b. Because without biodiversity, life would not sustain.
c. All of the above.

6. It is when the ability to breed and recover has past, and the last
member of the species has passed on.
a. Vulnerable c. Near Threatened
b. Extinction d. Endangered

7. What does IUCN stand for?

a. The International Union for Conversion of Nature
b. The International Unity for Conversion of Nature
c. The International Union for Conservation of Nature
d. The International Unity for Conservation of Nature
8. Are species that simply disappear as the planet cannot sustain all
life and some species have to go.
a. Background Extinction
b. Mass Extinction

9. A widespread event that wiped out over 50% of all living

organisms.
a. Background Extinction
b. Mass Extinction

10. How many classifications does IUCN have for conservation

status and extinction?
a. 5 c. 9
b. 7 d. 12
Take a Peek,
Guess the Pic!
Pictionary
_ _ OD _ V _ _ _ _ _ Y
BIODIVERSITY
_ E __T _ C
BIODIVERSITY
 GENETIC
BIODIVERSITY
HA__T__
_ O S _
HABITAT
LOSS
_T R_C_ _ R _ L
AD_P_A__ O_
STRUCTURAL
ADAPTATION
__ T_ N C___N
EXTINCTION
 Topics To Be
Covered:

BIODIVERSITY
Agenda TYPES OF BIODIVERSITY
THREATS TO BIODIVERSITY
SURVIVAL AND ADAPTATION
CONVERSION STATUS AND
EXTINCTION
What is Biodiversity?
Biodiversity refers to the enormous
variety of living species on Earth,
from across all levels, and habitats. It
can be used more specifically to
refer to all of the species in one
region or ecosystem and can
encompass the evolutionary,
ecological, and cultural processes
that sustain life.
Importance of Biodiversity
Biodiversity describes the richness and variety of life on earth. It is the most
complex and important feature of our planet.
Biodiversity holds ecological and economic significance.
It provides us with nourishment, housing, fuel, clothing and several other
resources.
Biodiversity is what keeps us safe from different natural world disasters and
pandemics.
It also extracts monetary benefits through tourism.
It is important in natural as well as artificial ecosystems.
Without biodiversity, our entire support system for human, as well as animal
life, would collapse.
 TYPES OF BIODIVERSITY
Ecological
Genetic Diversity Species Diversity
Diversity
Genetic Diversity
The variety of genes within a species. This means
a species may have different populations, each
having different genetic compositions. The more
closely related the genetic information shared by
species, the more they are closely related and have
similar physical characteristics. However, not all
groups of animals have the same degree of genetic
diversity. It helps maintain the health of a population
and guarantee its survival. More variations mean that
individuals that have the traits that ensure survival
will be able to pass on these strong traits to the next
generation.
Species Diversity
The variety of different types of species found in
a particular habitat, region or area. In the levels of
biological classification, species is a large group of
organisms that are related, share common
characteristics, and are capable of interbreeding.
The estimated number of species known to us at
present is called species richness, as there is a great
number and distribution of different species that are
living in our world right now. All species have a role
to play, and species diversity ensures that
ecosystems remain healthy and sustainable for all
organisms.
Ecological Diversity
The diversity observed among the ecosystems in a
particular place. Specifically, it deals with the study of
different ecosystems in a certain location and their
overall effects on humans and the environment as a
whole. It describes how the different living species (like
a collection of plants, animals, and fungi), called biotic
factors interact with each other and with nonliving
components called abiotic factors (like climate and
rocks). Biotic and abiotic factors work together in order
to support all life, providing and maintaining
functioning ecosystems that have clean air and water,
abundant food sources, etc. for all organisms.
THREATS TO BIODIVERSITY
Biodiversity helps maintain nature. But different threats are gradually making
major losses in the diversities across the planet, tipping the balance of nature.
The following are the biggest threats to biodiversity:

1. Climate Change
2. Pollution
3. Habitat loss, degradation, and fragmentation
4. Invasive species/ introduction of exotic
species
5. Overexploitation
6. Epidemics
Climate Change
Climate change refers to the long term and irreversible
change that occurs in the Earth’s climate. This increase
in the temperature of the atmosphere has major effects
on the environment such as the seasons, rising of the
sea levels, and glacial retreats. Climate change
threatens biodiversity through a variety of mechanisms
and can cause species range shifts, mismatched biotic
interactions, sea level rise, and ocean acidification.
Causing the species and populations to extinction if
they are unable to adapt to new conditions or relocate.
 Pollution
Be it water, air, or land pollution, all forms of pollution
appear to be a threat to all life forms on Earth. However,
it plays a major threat to biodiversity when it comes to
the nutrient loading of the elements nitrogen and
phosphorus. Toxic synthetic chemicals and products
enter ecosystems, which has led to the extinction of
animal and plant species. However, many species are
vulnerable to the indirect effects of pollution through
the concentration of toxic chemicals in top predators of
food chains and disruption of predator-prey
interactions.
Habitat loss, Degradation, and
Fragmentation
Biodiversity is threatened when there is significant habitat
loss or degradation. This happens when an area that was once
used as a habitat is no longer inhabited by nature. Ecosystem
conversion and ecosystem degradation contribute to habitat
fragmentation. Habitat loss from exploitation of resources,
agricultural conversion, and urbanization is the largest factor
contributing to the loss of biodiversity. It can be caused by
natural calamities or manmade activities. Things like
deforestation, mining, agriculture and industrial activities
often remove crucial habitat space for wildlife and plants.
 Invasive Species/
Introduction of Exotic Species
Invasive species are those occurring outside of their
historical distribution that causes ecological and/or
economic harm. Exotic species are typically introduced
into ecosystems without their co-evolved predators and
parasites, which enables an alien invader to out-
compete native species with similar ecological
requirements. The interactions between native species
are altered or destroyed by these exotic species, and
can result in the loss of native biodiversity.
Overexploitation
The over-harvesting of species and natural resources to
the point that the ecosystem or habitat cannot
compensate or sustain itself. The loss of large
populations of animals or plants in a short amount of
time can cause a rippling effect on the other wildlife in
that region. Activities such as poaching, targeted
hunting, fishing and gathering of animals, plants and
other natural resources threaten biodiversity.
 Epidemics
The transmission of infectious diseases from one species to
another also threatens wildlife, including the survival of large
and apparently robust wildlife populations. Wild animals are
the major source of new infections that spread to and infect
humans directly or indirectly through domestic or peri-
domestic species, endangering people's or livestock's health,
but it should not be forgotten that wildlife are also the
receivers of diseases from other species, including humans.
The epidemics and infectious diseases of wildlife such as
Ebola virus disease, infectious bursal disease, and flu.
SURVIVAL AND ADAPTATION
In order to survive the ever-changing environments throughout
the years, all organisms need to adapt to their habitat to be able to
survive. An adaptation is a mutation, or genetic change, that helps
an organism, such as a plant or animal, survive in its environment.
Adaptations develop gradually over long periods of time and
through many generations of the species. Over generations, the
number of individuals with that advantageous trait, or adaptation, will
increase until it becomes a general attribute of the species.
SURVIVAL AND ADAPTATION
 Types of Adaptation
Structural
Adaptation
An adaptation can be structural, meaning
it is a physical part of the organism. Body
parts (like feet and ears) and body
coverings (like fur and scales) are
structural adaptations. For example, Plants
called succulents have adapted to this
climate by storing water in their short, thick
stems and leaves.
Behavioural
Adaptation
An adaptation can also be behavioral,
affecting the way an organism responds to
its environment. Seasonal migration is an
example of a behavioral adaptation. Gray
whales migrate thousands of kilometers
every year as they swim from the cold
Arctic Ocean in summer to the warm waters
off the coast of Mexico to winter.
 Changing Functions of Adaptation

Exaptations are adaptations or traits that develop in response to one challenge

sometimes help with or co-opted for use different to its original. Feathers were probably first
adaptations for tactile sense or regulating temperature. Later, feathers became longer and
stiffer, allowing for gliding and then for flight.

Vestigal structure or vestigial form is an adaptation or trait that lose their function when other
adaptations become more important or when the environment changes. Whales and dolphins have
vestigial leg bones, the remains of an adaptation (legs) that their ancestors used to walk.
 Speciation
Sometimes, an adaptation or set of adaptations develop that splits one species into two.
This process is known as speciation.
Adaptive radiation is a type of speciation in which species having similar characteristics
spreading out into different areas to fill ecological roles. For example, Marsupials, mammals
that carry their developing young in pouches after a short pregnancy, arrived in Oceania
before the land split from Asia.
Sympatric speciation is another type of speciation and it happens when species share
the same habitat. For example, the cichlid fish found in many of Africa’s lakes. Adaptations
have allowed hundreds of varieties of cichlids to live in Lake Malawi. Each species of cichlid
has a unique, specialized diet: One type of cichlid may eat only insects, another may eat
only algae, another may feed only on other fish.
 Speciation

Adaptive Radiation Sympatric Speciation

 Coadaptation
The process by which two or more species, genes or phenotypic traits undergo
adaptation as a pair or group. This is called coadaptation. For example, certain flowers
produce nectar to appeal to hummingbirds. Hummingbirds, in turn, have adapted long, thin
beaks to extract the nectar from certain flowers. When a hummingbird goes to feed, it
inadvertently picks up pollen from the anthers of the flowers, which is deposited on the
stigma of the next flowers it visits. In this relationship, the humming bird gets food, while the
plant’s pollen is distributed. The coadaptation is beneficial to both organisms.

Mimicry is a type of coadaptation. In mimicry, one organism has adapted to resemble

another. The mimic octopus (Thaumoctopus mimicus) has behavioral as well as structural
adaptations. This species octopus can copy the look and movements of other animals,
such as sea snakes, flatfish, jellyfish, and shrimp.
 Coadaptation
Coadaptation can also limit an organism’s ability to adapt to new changes in their
habitat. This can lead to co-extinction. For example, in southern England, the large blue
butterfly adapted to eat red ants. When human development reduced the red ants’ habitat,
the local extinction of the red ant led to the local extinctionof the large blue butterfly.

Coadaptation Mimicry Co-extinction

(Mimic Octopus)
 CONSERVATION STATUS &
EXTINCTION
Even with all the adaptation that humans and organisms do in order to ensure
continued survival, the different threats to biological diversity have made it so that a
conservation status has been put up in order to evaluate and keep track of the
extinction risk of species.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has the world's most
comprehensive record of conservation statuses. According to it, more than 32,000
species are threatened with extinction, or the disappearance of a kind of organism or
species. It is when the ability to breed and recover has past, and the last member of the
species has passed on.
 The IUCN has nine classifications, classified through different
criteria such as rate of decline, population size, and distribution
fragmentation, among others. The nine classifications are:

Extinct (EX) - there is no

reasonable doubt that the last
individual has died.

Examples: Saber-toothed tiger

(about 10,000 years) and the Dodo
bird (more than 300 years).
Extinct in the wild (EW) - when an organism
is known only to survive in cultivation,
captivity, or as a naturalized population.

Example: Barbary Lion (since 1922)

Critically Endangered (CR) - is facing an

extremely high risk of extinction the wild.

Example: Black Rhino

Endangered (EN) - is Vulnerable (VU) - is Near Threatened (NT) -
facing a very high risk of facing a high risk of does not qualify for CR, EN,
extinction in the wild. extinction in the wild. or VU, but is close to
qualifying for or is likely to
Example: the Giant Panda Example: the Yak qualify for a threatened
category in the near future.

Example: the Koala

Least Concern (LC) -
does not qualify for CR,
EN, VU, or NT.
Data Deficient (DD) - there is
inadequate information to make
a direct, or indirect, assessment
of its risk of extinction based on
its distribution and/or population
status.
Not Evaluated (NE) -
has not been assessed
by the IUCN.
 Two Types of Extinction
Background Extinction - also known as the normal extinction
rate, are species that simply disappear as the planet cannot
sustain all life and some species have to go. The background
extinction rate is often measured for a specific classification and
over a particular period of time. For example, a high estimate is
that 1 species of bird would be expected to go extinct every 400
years. This is due to environmental or ecological factors such as
climate change, disease, loss of habitat, or competitive
disadvantage in relation to other species.
Mass Extinction - which is a widespread event that wiped out
over 50% of all living organisms. It is when species vanish much
faster than they are replaced. Past mass extinctions were caused
by extreme temperature changes, rising or falling sea levels and
catastrophic, one-off events such as huge volcanic eruptions or
an asteroid hitting Earth.

The number of dinosaur extinctions are examples of mass

extinction.
Thank you!