Biodiversity ADAPTATION to biodiversity

- Variety and extent of differences Adaptation – promotes species survival

among living things - process by which animals or
- It’s important because ecosystem plants species become fitted to its
will collapse if the biodiversity is low environment
or not present
1. Structural adaptation
Levels – - physical characteristics
1. Genetic diversity – diversity of genes - internal organization, shape, color
without a species
2. Ecosystem diversity – diversity of a
habitat in a given unit area a. Aposematism
3. Species diversity – diversity among - use of warning coloration
species in an ecosystem and other markings
- ward/scare off predators
Trophic level – position of an organism Ex. Rattlesnake
occupies in a food chain/energy pyramid (5 b. Camouflage
levels) - use of colors to blend to the
1. Apex predators environment
2. Tertiary consumers - to hide
3. Secondary consumers Ex. Stonefish
4. Primary consumers c. Mimicry
5. Decomposers - organism resembles
another creature or object to
“no organisms exists in isolation” escape and avoid predators
 The more diverse, the higher chance Ex. Owl-butterfly mimicry
of survival
2. Physiological adaptation
- ability to regulate body function
Species Biodiversity – (breathing, temperature)
- Keystone species: plant or animal - perform special functions
that plays a unique, crucial role in (excreting chemicals)
the way an ecosystem functions
 No keystone,no balance a. Torpor
Example – corals, sharks, sea otter - form of sleep
Benefits – - helps animal conserve
1. Enhances habitats resources
2. Recycles nutrients, wastes > hibernation – winter
3. Removes genetic weakness > estivation – summer
4. Pollination Ex. Bear
5. Regulates animal population
 b. Chemical defense
- ejection of poisonous
venom
- irritant substance
- drive or scare potential
predators
Ex. Snake, skunk
c. Autonomy
- ejection or sacrifice of non-
essential body parts
- distract predators
Ex. Lizard, sea cucumber
3. Behavioral adaptation
- learned or inherited behavior
a. Migration
- seasonal movement of
animals to look for food or
escape bad weather
THREATS to biodiversity
1. Habitat loss – environmental
modification caused by humans –
urban development
- forestry
- mining
- pollution
2. Overexploitation – as more species
are lost extinction, species diversity
decreases.
Ex. Direct harvesting – destruction
or removal of species from their
habitats
Adverse human impact on ecosystem
1. Pollution
- any potentially harmful substance
released to the environment
a. air pollution – contains carcinogens
(substance that cause cancer)
Smog
- brown or grey haze
- hangs over polluted areas
- sunlight reacts with carbon
monoxides, co2, nitrogen oxide
b. water pollution – improper waste
disposal
-- deterioration
-- death of aquatic ecosystem
Natural greenhouse effect & human
enhanced greenhouse effect
1. Natural greenhouse effect – more
heat escapes into space
2. Human enhanced greenhouse effect
– less heat escapes
- deforestation
- cool powerplant emission
- excessive fertilizer use
- irresponsible energy use
- biomass burning
- improper waste management
Ozone depletion – thinning of ozone layer
Ozone layer – protects us from harmful UV
rays from the sun
Ozone depleting substance – found in
manufacture substance
-- chlorine
-- bromine
Acid precipitation (acid rain)
- Acid rain, or acid deposition, is a broad
term that includes any form of precipitation
with acidic components that fall to the
ground from the atmosphere in wet or dry
forms.

Eutrophication
- excessive richness of nutrients in bodies of
water