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4-1 What Is Biodiversity and

Why Is It Important?
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE 13e • Concept 4-1 The biodiversity found in
genes, species, ecosystems, and
ecosystem processes is vital to
sustaining life on earth.
CHAPTER 4:
Biodiversity and
Evolution

Biodiversity (1)
Species diversity
• A set of individuals that can mate and
produce fertile offspring
• 8-100 million species total; likely 10-
14 million
• 2 million species identified
• ~50% in endangered tropical
rainforests

CLASSIFICATION OF LIVING TAXONOMY.....

ORGANISM ROOTLESS, STEMLESS, LEAFLESS
DESCRIPTION PLANT, PARASITIC, BROWNISH
Classification – multilevel grouping of SCALELIKE LEAVE, FOUL SMELLING
FLOWERS
individuals
Organisms are first classified by IDENTIFICATION RAFFLESSIA
Aristotle

NOMENCLATURE Rafflessia arnoldii

Classification scheme of the middle
ages (Polynomial) was replaced with
BINOMIAL SYSTEM by Linnaeus CLASSIFICATION
FAMILY
RAFFLESIACEAE

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Species Names Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778)

First word of binomial name is Genus and
is always capitalized
Second word refers to specific epithet and Father of Taxonomy
is not capitalized
Together form scientific name, written in
• His system of
italics
naming, ranking,
A complete scientific name (Botanical
Name) includes the author’s name
and classifying
organism is still in
Nepenthes madagascariensis Poir
wide use today.

• Before 1969, life was

classified into 2
kingdoms; the Plant
Kingdom and the Animal
Kingdom.
• From 1969-1990, life was
classified into 5
kingdoms; Monera,
Protista, Fungi, Plants,
and Animal and some
accept the 6 kingdom
classification: Eubacteria,
Archaeobacteria, Protista,
Fungi, Plantae and
Animalia.

1990 – Life was classified into 3 Domains( by Carl Woese, 1990):

Domain 1. Archaea –oldest known organisms appearing on a fossil

record
over 3.6 million years ago.
Domain 2. Bacteria
Domain 3. Eucaryota

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Philippine Biodiversity: Philippine Biodiversity

Vertebrates, excluding freshwater fishes -
1090 species.
Plant Diversity:
179 species of mammals (15 species still
The flora of the Philippines is
to be named in 1995). 110 species
composed of at least 13,500
endemic or 61 %.
species that is 5% of the world’s
flora: 558 species of birds (171 endemic
- 8,000 flowering plant species (of 252 species of reptiles (159 endemic):
these, 3200 endemic to the Lizards – 126 species, (75% endemic)
Philippines) Snakes – 112 species (54% endemic)
- 3 gymnosperms (18 % endemic) Crocodiles -2 species (50% endemic)
- 1,011 ferns and fern allies (30 % Invertebrates:
endemic) 2782 species of mollusks
- 806 mosses (23% endemic) 54 millipedes
- 790 fungi 44 centipedes
- Lichens -790 20,000 insect species
- 5-8% - not named yet. 341 species of spiders

GENETIC DIVERSITY Genetic diversity

• Genetic Information in all cells

• Deoxyribonucleic Acid
• DNA contains instructions for traits
GENES
• Make the structures and complex
chemicals necessary for life

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Biodiversity (2)
• Ecosystem diversity
– Biomes
• Distinct climate
• Certain species, especially vegetation
• Functional diversity

Fig. 4-2, p. 61

Functional Diversity Ecological Diversity

The biological and chemical processes such as energy The variety of terrestrial and
flow and matter recycling needed for the survival of species, aquatic ecosystems found in
communities, and ecosystems. an area or on the earth. Average annual precipitation
100-125 cm (40-50 in.)
75-100 cm (30-40 in.)
50-75 cm (20-30 in.)
25-50 cm (10-20 in.)
below-25 cm (0-10 in.)

Denver Baltimore

San Francisco

St. Louis
Las Vegas

Coastal Sierra Great Rocky Great Mississippi Appalachian

mountain Nevada American Mountains Plains River Valley Mountains
ranges Desert

Genetic Diversity Species Diversity Coastal chaparral Coniferous Desert Coniferous Prairie Deciduous
The variety of genetic material The number and abundance of species and scrub forest forest grassland forest
within a species or a population. present in different communities
Fig. 4-2, p. 61 Fig. 4-4, p. 63

Science Focus: Insects

• Around for ~400 million years
• Bad reputation
• Useful to humans and ecosystems
• Vital roles in sustaining life
– Pollinators
– Natural pest control
– Renewing soils

Fig. 4-A, p. 62

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4-2 How Does the Earth’s Life

Change over Time?
• Concept 4-2A The scientific theory of
evolution explains how life on earth
changes over time through changes in the
genes of populations.

• Concept 4-2B Populations evolve when

genes mutate and give some individuals
genetic traits that enhance their abilities to
survive and to produce offspring with
Fig. 4-A, p. 62
these traits (natural selection).

Evolution
• Explains why
organisms look and
• Populations of organisms behave the way they
change (evolve) over do
generations (time)
• Provides a basis for
• Explains how many different exploring the
kinds of organisms came relationships among
into existence SPECIES different groups of
• Explains how modern organisms
organisms are related to
past organisms

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Natural Selection
Evolve
• Natural selection is the driving
• Ability to adapt to their environment through the
process of evolution force in evolution
• Favorable characteristics are selected for and • Organisms that have certain
passed on to offspring favorable traits are better able
• Called adaptations to successfully reproduce than
• Driven by organisms that lack these traits
natural selection
or “survival of the
fittest”

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Natural Selection
• Survival of organisms with
favorable traits cause a gradual
change in populations over
many generations
• Also Called “Survival of the
Fittest”
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Population Changes over Time
• Populations evolve by becoming
genetically different over time
• Genetic variability – mutations
– Random changes in DNA molecules in
genes
– Can occur spontaneously
– External agents: radiation
– Can create a heritable trait
Three Myths about Evolution
through Natural Selection Refuted
1. “Survival of the fittest” does not mean
“survival of the strongest”
2. Organisms don’t develop traits just
because they would be useful: giraffes
and long necks
3. There is no grand plan of nature to
create more perfectly adapted species –
no trend toward genetic perfection
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Theory of Evolution
• Fossils
– Mineralized and petrified remains
– Skeletons, bones, and shells
– Leaves and seeds
– Impressions in rocks
– Fossil record incomplete: ~1% of all
species
• Charles Darwin, On the Origin of
Species, 1859
Natural Selection
• Adaptive traits - genetically favorable
traits that increase the probability to
survive and reproduce
• Trait – heritable and lead to differential
reproduction
• Faced with environmental change
– Adapt through evolution
– Migrate
– Become extinct
4-3 How Do Geological Processes and
Climate Changes Affect Evolution?
• Concept 4-3 Tectonic plate
movements, volcanic eruptions,
earthquakes, and climate change
have shifted wildlife habitats, wiped
out large numbers of species, and
created opportunities for the evolution
of new species.
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Plate Tectonics 225 million years ago 135 million years ago

Effects on evolution
• Locations of continents and oceans
determine earth’s climate
• Movement of continents allow species to 65 million years ago Present

move and adapt

– Earthquakes and volcanoes affect biological
evolution by separating populations of a
species and allowing new species to develop

Fig. 4-6, p. 66

Earth’s Long-Term Climate

Changes
18,000 Northern Hemisphere Modern day
• Cooling and warming periods – affect years before Ice coverage (August)
present
evolution and extinction of species
– Change ocean levels and area
– Glaciers expanding and contracting
– Climate changes Legend
Continental ice
• Opportunities for the evolution of new Sea ice
Land above sea level
species
• Many species go extinct

Fig. 4-7, p. 67

4-4 How Do Speciation, Extinction, and

Human Activities Affect Biodiversity?
Speciation
• Concept 4-4 Human activities • Speciation
decrease the earth’s biodiversity by – One species splits into two or more
causing the premature extinction of species that can no longer breed and
species and by destroying or produce fertile offspring
degrading habitats needed for the – Geographic isolation
development of new species. – Reproductive isolation

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Science Focus: Changing

Extinction (1)
Genetic Traits
• Artificial selection • Biological extinction
– Selective breeding: crossbreeding varieties – Entire species gone
within same species to enhance desired traits • Local extinction
– Grains, fruits, vegetables, dogs, other animals – All members of a species in a specific area
gone
• Genetic engineering
• Endemic species vulnerable to extinction
– Add, delete, or alter DNA segments
– Add desirable genes from other species
• Background extinction
– New drugs, pest-resistant plants • Speciation generally more rapid than
extinction
– Controversial

4-5 What Is Species Diversity

Species Diversity
and Why Is It Important?
• Concept 4-5 Species diversity is a • Species richness
major component of biodiversity and • Species evenness
tends to increase the sustainability of
• Varies with geographic location
some ecosystems.

4-6 What Roles Do Species

Richness and Sustainability
Play in an Ecosystem?
• Hypothesis • Concept 4-6 Each species plays a
– Does a community with high species specific ecological role called its
richness have greater sustainability and niche.
productivity?
• Research suggests “yes”

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Ecological Niche (1) Ecological Niche (2)

• Species occupy unique niches and play • Generalist species
specific roles in an ecosystem
• Specialist species
• Includes everything required for survival
and reproduction • Native species
– Water • Nonnative species
– Sunlight – Spread in new, suitable niches
– Space
– Temperatures
– Food requirements