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Objectives: Define Describe Explain List Areas Compare
Objectives: Define Describe Explain List Areas Compare
Objectives
• Define and give examples of endangered and threatened
species.
• Describe several ways that species are being threatened
with extinction globally.
• Explain which types of threats are having the largest
impact on biodiversity.
• List areas of the world that have high levels of biodiversity
and many threats to species.
• Compare the amount of biodiversity in the United States to
that of the rest of the world.
Biodiversity Section 2
Biodiversity at Risk
• mass extinction: extinction of many species in a
relatively short period of time
• Earth has experienced several
– probably caused by global changes in climate
– millions of years for biodiversity to rebound after a
mass extinction.
Biodiversity Section 2
Current Extinctions
• in the midst of another mass extinction
• rate estimated to have increased by 50x since 1800
• @25 % of all species on Earth lost since 1800
• difference from past occurrences: humans primary
cause
Biodiversity Section 2
• Example:
– Florida Panther requires expansive ranges to obtain
prey
– habitat destroyed or broken up by roads, canals, and
fences
– Result- by 2001 <80 wild panthers east of Mississippi
river
Biodiversity Section 2
Pollution
• Cause: pesticides, cleaning agents, drugs, other
chemicals get into food webs
• Results:
Short term- chemicals toxic or disrupt nutrient cycles
Long term- effects may not be clear
bald eagle endangered because of a pesticide DDT,
effects not noticed for @20 years
Biodiversity Section 2
Types:
Tropical Rain Forests
• Estimate- contain > ½ all species
• Only 7 percent of the Earth’s land surface
• Most of the species never described
Biodiversity Section 2
Islands
• Often hold a very distinct but limited set of species.
• Many island species endangered because of invasive
exotic species
– Example: Hawaiian honeycreeper
Biodiversity Section 2
Biodiversity Hotspots
Biodiversity Hotspots
Biodiversity Section 2