Loss of Animal BiodiversityWhy Is It Important and What Can We Do About It?

Katie GankosFebruary 23rd, 2009

Will

End Up Like ?

In Other Words…

What is Biodiversity, Anyway?

Biodiversity is defined as:

The number and variety of organisms found within a specified geographic region

Why Are We Losing It?

Reason #1: Climate Change

The levels of CO2 in the atmosphere are increasing, causing global temperatures to rise – 0.6° C since 1970

Increasing temperatures then cause:-Rising sea levels

-Melting of the Arctic ice and glaciers

By 2100, temperatures are expected to have risen by 6° C

Why Are We Losing It?Reason #2: Overpopulation

The human population has been rising steadily, and in many areas of the world, continues to do so.

Does the Earth have a carrying capacity?

Why Is Biodiversity Important?

All of Earth’s ecosystems are intricately linked, and the diversity of organisms contributes to their ability to

function.

In addition, many possess KEYSTONE species:

A species whose presence contributes to a diversity of life and whose extinction would lead to the extinction of many other

animals

Proof of Climate Change

Quelccya Ice Cap, Peru

Alaska

The presence of “hotspots”, spots rich in biological diversity, have decreased.

20 years ago = 16% of Earth’s surface

Now = < 3% of Earth’s surface

One Big Example: Polar Bears

According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the polar bear population is stable

However, they were placed on the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in May 2008

Well….WHY?

Polar bears are a great example of a keystone species, and their habitat is changing rapidly

Changes in the Arctic

Since 1970, there has been a 3% decrease in the extent of sea ice per decade

Some scientists believe ALL of the summer arctic sea ice could disappear by 2013!!

So why is this important to the polar bears?Earlier breakup of sea ice = shorter hunting seasonA 2 week shorter hunting season = 8% weight loss

Another Example: Leatherback Sea Turtles

Populations are drastically effected by increased temperature:-Rising sea levels are shrinking beaches

-Rising sea temperatures are killing the reefs-Eggs are very sensitive to sand temperature

Considered critically endangered, with only 3,000 left in the wild

Endangered Species Act

Passed in 1966

Serves to protect all threatened or endangered species and their habitats

Currently, there are 1,215 vertebrates and invertebrates listed

Classified as either Threatened or Endangered

How Does the Endangered Species Act Relate to Us?

Currently, there are 17 species native to Maryland on the ESAE Bat, IndianaE Darter, MarylandT Plover, pipingT Sea turtle, greenE Sea turtle, hawksbillE Sea turtle, Kemp's ridleyE Sea turtle, leatherbackT Sea turtle, loggerheadE Squirell, Demarva Peninsula fox E Sturgeon, shortnoseT Tiger Beetle, northeastern beachT Tiger Beetle, PuritanT Turtle, bog northernE Wedgemussel, dwarfE Whale, finbackE Whale, humpbackE Whale, right

Global Solutions

Increase the number and size of reserves

Decrease the amount of CO2 we release into the atmosphere

Education

Stricter laws enforcing habitat conservation

Local Solutions

Implement education programs in local elementary schools

Reduce our everyday carbon footprint by:-Changing our light bulbs

-Eat less meat-Fly less-Reuse

-Carpooling

Works Cited• Brown, Lester R. Plan B 4.0: Mobilizing to Save Civilization. 4th ed. N.p.: W W Norton & Compant, 2009. Earth Policy Institute. Web. 23

Feb. 2010. <http://www.earth-policy.org/images/uploads/ book_files/pb4book.pdf>. • Climate Change and Biodiversity. IPCC. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Apr. 2002. Web. 23 Feb. 2010.

<http://www.coastman.net.co/publicaciones/cc/(0065).pdf>. • "Current State and Trends Assesment." Millenium Ecosystem Assessment. Millenium Ecosystem Assessment, 2005. Web. 23 Feb. 2010.

<http://www.millenniumassessment.org/en/ Condition.aspx>. • Dunn, Collin. "Reduce Your Carbon Footprint In Half in 3 Steps." Planet Green. N.p., 8 July 2009. Web. 23 Feb. 2010.

<http://planetgreen.discovery.com/home-garden/ reduce-carbon-footprint-threesteps.html>. • "Ecosystems and Biodiversity: Animals." Climate Change - Health and Environmental Effects. Unites States Environmental Protection

Agency, 15 Oct. 2009. Web. 23 Feb. 2010. <http://www.epa.gov/ climatechange/effects/eco_animals.html>. • "IPCC Reports." IPCC. International Governmental Panel on Climate Change, n.d. Web. 23 Feb. 2010.

<http://www.ipcc.ch/ipccreports/ar4-wg2.htm>. • "Polar Bears at Risk." World Wildlife Fund. World Wildlife Fund, May 2002. Web. 23 Feb. 2010.

<http://www.worldwildlife.org/climate/Publications/WWFBinaryitem4927.pdf>. • "Population Growth Over Human History." Global Change. University of Michigan, n.d. Web. 23 Feb. 2010.

<http://www.globalchange.umich.edu/globalchange2/current/lectures/human_pop/ human_pop.html>. • "Species Reports." Environmental Conservation Online System. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services, 23 Feb. 2010. Web. 23 Feb. 2010. <

http://ecos.fws.gov/tess_public/>. • http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/biodiversity• Pictures:• http://www.whyy.org/cms/radiotimes/files/2009/12/polar-bear1.jpg• http://pioneermindset.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/creek-crossing-bengal-tiger.jpg• http://aylluinitiative.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/world-population-growth-to-20501.jpg