Ellenki College of Engineering and Technology

THREATS TO BIODIVERSITY
PRESENTED BY B.HARITHA DEPT. OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

The Earth is home to a tremendous biological diversity , or biodiversity which includes:

Millions of different species Diversity of their genes, physiologies and behaviors The multitude of their ecological interactions The variety of ecosystems they constitute

This biodiversity, which is the result of more than 3 billion years of evolution, is under serious threat

Should we be concerned about biodiversity??

What we know?
The Earth is losing species at an alarming rate

Some scientists estimate that as many as 3 species per hour are going extinct and 20,000 extinctions occur each year.

Vertebrates population decline

Human activities threaten diversity at all levels Known extinct during historical times 12% of birds, 24% mammals, 20% of all fresh water fish , 200 species of plants, when species of plants and animals go extinct, many other species are affected.

Ecosystems are valuable and necessary for maintaining our current comfortable way of life

Humans are a part of the environment and not apart from it. Your actions affect other organisms. The things we eat, wear, drive, and purchase have a direct impact on organisms, populations, and communities around the globe.

Threats of Biodiversity

Habitat destruction

Pollution
Exploitation of species

Species Introductions
Over Hunting

Global Climate Change

Habitat Destruction

Is a process of change in which one habitattype is removed and replaced with some other habitat-type. In the process of land-use change, plants and animals which previously used the site are displaced or destroyed

Habitat is mainly destroyed for

Habitat is destroyed mainly for agriculture and forestry The expansion of agricultural activity has led to the destruction of huge areas of natural habitats

including forests, grasslands and wetlands, in nearly all regions of the world

Intensification of agriculture is a major cause of habitat degradation

Intensive farming is depleting bird species Pastures and rangeland have been overgrazed, leading to excessive soil erosion and compaction Cropping and production methods are intensifying, causing widespread damage to previously seminatural agricultural ecosystems with significant impact on birds and other wildlife

Unsustainable forestry is rapidly eroding biodiversity

Logging is responsible for much deforestation

Approximately 120,000 km2 of tropical forests are destroyed each year

The pulp, paper and palm oil industries are currently expanding

Large areas of mature forest are being cleared for pulp fibre, and the land is then converted to other uses such as oil palm plantations

Logged forest is an impoverished habitat for biodiversity

Those species that do persist often become rare. unable to survive in the open, fragmented habitats created by current forestry

Pollution remains a serious concern

Pollution of the environment has direct and indirect impacts on birds an indication of the wider problems it creates for man and biodiversity alike

Bird populations are directly impacted by environmental pollution, through mortality and sub lethal effects such as reduced fertility Pollutants that can affect birds are

Pesticide residue, suspended sediment from excessive soil erosion, heavy metals, salts and trace elements that are poisonous in excess

Little is known of the long-term effects of many pollutants

Huge areas of farmland, rangeland, forest and wetland are treated with poisonous synthetic chemicals each year to control competitor species of plants, animals, micro-organisms and diseases

Pollution

Pesticides continue to poison birds on a large scale Persistent organic pollutants continue to accumulate in the environment Acid rain continues to exceed critical loads in industrialized regions Oil spills significantly reduce populations of seabirds and are costly to clean up

Exploitation of species

Unsustainable hunting for food or trapping for the cagebird trade currently threatens hundreds of bird species

Exploitation of birds has become unsustainable

Humans have harvested and traded birds since time immemorial: for food, as pets, for cultural purposes and for sport expanding markets and increasing demand, combined with improved access and techniques for capture, are causing the exploitation of many species beyond sustainable levels
Currently, nearly 30% of Globally Threatened Birds are threatened by over-exploitation, mainly through hunting for food and trapping for the cage-bird trade. Exploitation particularly affects some bird families, including parrots, pigeons and pheasants

Hunting and the cage-bird trade are major threats

Introduction of new species

Invasive species are the main cause of recent bird extinctions

Humans have been transporting animals from one part of the world to another for thousands of years, sometimes deliberately (e.g. livestock released by sailors onto islands as a source of food) and sometimes accidentally (e.g. rats escaping from boats) Invasive can affect native species by eating them, competing with them, hybridizing with them, disrupting or destroying their habitat, or introducing pathogens or parasites that sicken or kill them

Introduction of new species

Invasive diseases are a growing problem

Diseases carried by invasive pathogens and parasites are already implicated in the decline and extinction of many bird species

OVER HUNTING

ITS
THEIR

WORLD TOO

World Animal Lab Day falls on April 24

In the name of science,rabbits,guinea pigs,rats and mice are
experimented upon.

There are alternative methods of experimentation that does not involve animals.
The least we can do is to stop using drugs,medicines,cosmetics that have been tested on animals.

MAN SHOULD REALISE THAT THIS WORLD BELONG TO ANIMALS TOO.

Global Climate Change

The climate of our planet is changing rapidly because of human activities, especially the burning of fossil fuels Climate change affects all biodiversity

Climate change may affect species directly, for example through changes in temperature and rainfall Climate change will reduce, and force shifts in, the ranges of many species. Many will not be able to move fast enough, or in concert with other species. This will result in extinctions

Global Climate Change

The extent of warming will be critical

The size of the extinction crisis caused by climate change will be directly related to the degree of global warming

A global average temperature rise of 2C in the next century will lead to numerous extinction
Temperature rises beyond this level are predicted to lead to catastrophic extinction rates, with few management options and a bleak future for both biodiversity and people.

Immediate threats to biodiversity have much deeper causes

The immediate threats to birds and other biodiversity are ultimately caused by societal problems

including growth in human population and material consumption, widespread poverty, inequitable access to resources and an unfair global trade regime

Biodiversity's true value

Ignoring or undervaluing biodiversity undermines our own future So long as we do not account for the true value of biodiversity, we will continue to destroy the resources on which we depend.

Any short-term gains are massively outweighed by long-term losses.