Unit 3 contested planet biodiversity under threat

6GEO3 Unit 3 Contested Planet Topic 3: Biodiversity under Threat

What is this topic about? ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],CONTENTS Click on the information icon to jump to that section. Click on the home button to return to this contents page

1. Defining biodiversity ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

Influences on biodiversity ,[object Object],Lack of factors to limit growth: lots of light, warmth and rain promote growth Altitude produces a range of ecological zones, each with its own species Islands are isolated, so evolution goes its own way producing new unique species and varieties; this is called endemism. The isolation of islands limits human influence – at least until recently Decay and nutrient cycling are rapid in tropical soils Large areas can support large numbers of species in complex food chains, with space for top carnivores. Today, humans factors are important – how protected is an area? Does poverty force people to destroy ecosystems? How widespread is deforestation and the need for new farmland? How fast is population growing? Do people care about biodiversity?

Global biodiversity ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

Biodiversity hotspots Combined area covers only 2.3% of the Earth's land surface. Each hotspot has already lost at least 70% of its natural vegetation. Over 50% of the world’s plant species and 42% of all terrestrial vertebrate species are endemic to the 34 biodiversity hotspots.

The value of ecosystems ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],You need to be able to assess the value of ecosystem services with reference to one global ecosystem (biome) e.g. coral reef, tropical forests, or temperate grasslands etc.

2. Biodiversity threats ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

Global threats ,[object Object]

Local threats ,[object Object],Localised deforestation; clearance for farming and urbanisation Tourism development; trampling, erosion; urbanisation and associated pollution; increased risk of wildfires Overfishing and harmful forms of fishing e.g. dynamite and cyanide Siltation from runoff; increased risk of alien invasive species Runoff from farms and urban areas; eutrophication and heavy metals in rivers, lakes and seas Mining, ranching and overgrazing, road building leading to ecosystem fragmentation

Ecosystem processes ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

Alien invasive species ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],Successful invaders tend to be: Capable of rapid reproduction Able to disperse Rapid growing Tolerate a range of environmental conditions Able to eat a wide range of foods Species such as rats, goats, the Chinese Mitten crab and Zebra Mussel are successful, and highly destructive, aliens

Ecosystem destruction ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

3. Managing biodiversity ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

Players ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],“ First, get rid of them tree, then its perfect cattle country” “ What a great photo, but the car parking could be better” “ What do we want? National Park! When do we want it? Now!” “ Keep the forest, we’ll build the hotel on this side of the lake”

Organisations and campaigners IGOs Individuals NGOs Government UNESCO, UNEP Sting, Al Gore, David Attenborough Greenpeace, WWF UK (local and national) Different arms of the UN are responsible for CITES, World Heritage Sites and helped with the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. Global treaties, scientific research and monitoring are important aspects of their work. Certain individual campaigners have the ability to reach a global audience and push for change. Some NGOs, like WWF or The Nature Conservancy help manage conserved areas. Other like Greenpeace, campaign to keep issues in the media, and lobby governments and IGOs Government policy is crucial to ecosystems conservation and preservation of biodiversity. Governments implement and police treaties like CITES and set up and run National Parks and other conservation areas.

What to conserve? ,[object Object],[object Object],ICONIC species Raising money for Pandas, Tigers and Chimps is relatively easy, but how important are they at a global level? KEYSTONE species Species such as Bees, the pollinators of numerous plants, are crucial but hard to ‘sell’ to a wary public HOTSPOTS Hotspots are clearly under threat and very biodiverse; they would yield a lot of conversation per $ spent, but many areas (like the Arctic) are not biodiverse enough to qualify ECOREGIONS Ecoregions are large areas, like Amazonia; conserving them would achieve a great deal, but would be expensive and difficult to police and monitor. Ecoregions do fit the ‘Single Large’ rather than ‘several small’ model which would allow species to shift due to climate change.

Management strategies ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],Scientific Preserve with no access for public Wildlife Parks and Nature Reserves National Parks; extractive reserves Conservation and Development areas ‘ Paper Parks’ Zoos and Gene Banks Sustainable Management

Biosphere reserves ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

Biodiversity futures ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],Markets First Profit driven future, playing lip-service to sustainability. Continued degradation of biodiversity Policy First A greater balance between human and ecological wellbeing, but humans are put first by short-termist policymakers and ecosystems are protected when possible and expedient Security First ‘ Me First’ – the focus is on maintaining the wealth of the few in a very unequal world; IGOs like the UN are viewed with suspicion; the environment is there to be exploited. Sustainability First Equal weight is given to human and ecological wellbeing , and thinking is long-term to gradually recover lost ecological ground

Unit 3 contested planet biodiversity under threat

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Unit 3 contested planet biodiversity under threat