This document discusses threats to biodiversity such as climate change, deforestation, overexploitation, invasive species, and pollution. It provides examples of each threat and potential solutions, including individual actions like reducing carbon footprints and corporate/government policies around sustainable practices, enforcement against illegal activities, and prevention of invasive species spread.
2. Reptiles
Any member of the class Reptilia, the group of air-breathing vertebrates that
have internal fertilization, amniotic development, and epidermal scales covering
part or all of their body.
They are all Cold Blooded Animals
4 Classes of Reptilia
Crocodilia
Sphenodontia
Squamata
Testudines
3. Crocodilia
Large, solidly built, lizard-like reptiles
have long flattened snouts
laterally compressed tails, and
eyes, ears, and nostrils at the top of the head.
They have a four-chambered heart
4. Sphenodontia
Is an order of lizard-like reptiles that includes only two living species of tuatara
The single species of tuatara is the only surviving member of its order
The tip of the upper jaw is beak-like and separated from the remainder of the
jaw by a notch
5. Squamata
Scaled reptiles
comprising all:
Lizards, Snakes and Worm Lizard
Lizards (Lacertilia): Iguanas, Chameleons, Geckos
Snakes (Serpentes): Boas, Pythons And Vipers
Worm-lizards (Amphisbaenia): There are about 130 species
6. Testudines
Characterised by a special bony or cartilaginous shell developed from their ribs
and acting as a shield
The upper shell of the turtle is called the Carapace. The lower shell that
encases the belly is called the Plastron.
Turtles are ectotherms
7. Birds
Birds a subgroup of reptiles, are the last living dinosaurs.
They are a group of endothermic vertebrates
Characterized by feathers, toothless beaked jaws, the laying of hard-shelled
eggs a four-chambered heart
Super Order of Birds
Super-order 1. Odontognathae
Super – order -2. Palaeognathae
Super – order -3 – IMPENNAE
Super – order – 4 – NEOGNATHAE
9. Super – order -2. Palaeognathae
Modern, big-sized, flightless, running birds, without teeth.
Tail vertebrae free
Syrinx is absent.
10. Super – order -3 IMPENNAE
Modern, flightless, with paddle-like wings of flippers.
Adapted to aquatic life.
Forelimbs modified into flippers for swimming.
Feet are webbed.
11. Super – order – 4 – NEOGNATHAE
Most modern, usually small-sized, flying birds.
Wings well-developed; feathers with interlocking mechanism.
This super order is distinguished into 22 orders.
Distributed all over the world.
12. Mammals
Are vertebrates (which means they have a backbone or spine).
Are endothermic. Also known as “warm-blooded,” endothermic animals regulate
their own body temperate which allows them to live in almost every climate on
Earth.
Have hair on their bodies.
Produce milk to feed their babies.
3 Classification of Mammals
Eutheria
Metatheria
Prototheria
13. Eutheria
Mammals that give birth to their young ones.
The young ones form as an embryo in the mother stomach and grow there for a
certain period of time.
Best example and well known of this class are humans, dogs and cats.
14. Metatheria
Mammals that give birth to their young ones but the young ones are born
immature.
They jump into their mother pouch and stay their till they are mature.
Marsupials and kangaroo are the best example for this subclass.
17. Environmental Threats on Biological
Diversity
5 major threats to biodiversity
Climate change
Deforestation and habitat loss
Overexploitation
nvasive species
Pollution
18. Climate change
Changes in climate throughout our planet's history have, of course, altered life
on Earth in the long run — ecosystems have come and gone and species
routinely go extinct.
manmade climate change speeds up the process, without affording ecosystems
and species the time to adapt.
Solution:
Individuals can take various steps to fight climate change, such as reducing
their carbon footprints, promoting education and contacting elected officials.
19. Deforestation and habitat loss
Deforestation is a direct cause of extinction and loss of biodiversity. An
estimated 18 million acres of forest are lost each year, due in part to logging
and other human practices, destroying the ecosystems on which many species
depend.
Solution:
The solutions to deforestation mostly lie in policy — companies and
corporations can adopt best practices and refuse to use timber and paper
suppliers that contribute to deforestation. In the same vein, conscious
consumers can refuse to patronize companies that do, and put pressure on
retailers that employ unsustainable manufacturing methods.
20. Overexploitation
Overhunting, overfishing and over-harvesting contribute greatly to the loss of
biodiversity, killing off numerous species over the past several hundred years.
Poaching and other forms of hunting for profit increase the risk of extinction; the
extinction of an apex predator — or, a predator at the top of a food chain — can
result in catastrophic consequences for ecosystems.
21. Solution:
Conservation and continued awareness surrounding overexploitation,
especially poaching and overfishing, are key.
Governments need to actively enforce rules against such practices, and
individuals can be more conscious of what they eat and purchase. Other
solutions, such as removing subsidies granted to large-scale fisheries, can
help, too
22. Invasive species
The introduction of non-native species into an ecosystem can threaten endemic
wildlife (either as predators or competing for resources)
Solution:
According to the National Wildlife Federation, solutions include creating
systems to prevent introduction of invasive species in the first place, effectively
monitoring for new infestations and swiftly eradication newly detected invaders
23. Pollution
From the burning of fossil fuels (releasing dangerous chemicals into the
atmosphere and, in some cases, depleting ozone levels) to dumping 19 billion
pounds of plastic into the ocean every year, pollution completely disrupts the
Earth's ecosystems. While it may not necessarily cause extinction, pollutants do
have the potential to influents species' habits.
Solution:
The average person can do a number of things to fight atmospheric and
hydrologic pollution, such as recycling, conserving energy at home and using
public transportation
Notas del editor
Ectotherms=cold blooded
A syrinx is a fluid-filled cavity within the spinal cord
