Unit 3 VCE Environmental Science; Area of Study 2: Biodiversity looks at the benefits of biodiversity, the threats and conservation of the different levels - genetic, species and ecosystem.

1. Unit 3 Environmental Science Area of Study 2: Biodiversity Britt Gow, 2011

2. Definition: Biodiversity (biological diversity) is the total sum of all the living organisms that exist on our earth. This living wealth is the product of hundreds of millions of years of evolutionary history. “The variability among living organisms from all sources including terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are a part; this includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems” International Convention on Biological Diversity.

3. Three Levels: Genetic Diversity – genes on chromosomes determine the specific characteristics (physical, emotional) of individual organisms. Species Diversity – variety of different types (species) of organisms Ecosystem Diversity – variety of different ecosystems from marineto desert to tropical rainforest to temperate Eucalypt forest to wetlands etc.

4. Australian Biodiversity Australia has an incredibly diverse range of life due to it’s isolation from other continents. Australia is recognised as one of the most mega-diverse countries on the planet, with many endemic species, such as our iconic marsupials and monotremes, banksias, eucalypts and grevilleas.

7. Why Conserve Biodiversity? Ecosystem services Biological resources Social benefits

9. Conservation of Biodiversity Genetic – variety of breeding pairs in captive programs, different groups in separate locations Population – conserving a particular population within a precise geographic area Species – preserving different species of organisms (management plans) Ecosystem – National parks and conservation reserves

10. Assessment of Biodiversity Species richness (no. of different species) Species diversity (abundance of each different species) Simpson’s Index Shannon-Weiner Diversity Index

11. Threats to Biodiversity Climate Change Habitat destruction Introduced animals Pollution Pest plants Over-harvesting

13. Conservation Categories Extinct Extinct in the wild Critically endangered Endangered Vulnerable Conservation dependent Data deficient Low risk Not evaluated

14. Strategies for protecting Biodiversity Action plans Captive breeding programs Conservation reserves Revegetation and habitat restoration Feral species control Ecotourism Education

15. Project Eden: Shark Bay, WA

18. Keeping Feral Species Out