Biodiversity

How do Biotic and Abiotic factors affect communities?

Variety is the Key…

Biodiversity is one of Earth’s greatest natural resources.

Provides food, industrial products, medicines The sum of the genetically based variety of

all organisms in the biosphere. 1.5 million species currently….millions more

yet to be discovered.

Habitat Alteration

Species vanish as a result Attributed to development

– Habitat fragmentation

Biomagnification

Conservation Biology

Preserving Earth’s biodiversity for future generations.

Maintaining ecological relationships– Preserving wildlife and habitats

What’s an invasive species?

Nonnative Causes environmental or economic harm or

harm to human health

Why are Invasive Species Such a Terrible Thing?

Ecological Harm– Displacement of Native Species

Competition for food, habitat– No Natural Predators = population explosion– Alter food webs

Monopolize food sources Prey on other animals

– Vector for nonnative diseases , parasites, etc.

Economic Harm– Destroy Crops– Urban pests

Human Health– New diseases, parasites…

How do they get here?

Some invade on their own Most are relocated by people either

intentionally or on accident

Why is Illinois Vulnerable?

Both natural rivers and channels connect us to the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River

O’Hare Airport is one of the busiest in the U.S.

“On a global basis…the two great destroyers of biodiversity are, first habitat destruction and, second, invasion by exotic species”

-E.O. Wilson

Zebra Mussels

Introduced to U.S. in 1988 by means of ballast water– Attach to hard surfaces (boat bottoms) and continue to spread

Produce millions of offspring annually Have caused declines in native clam and mussel populations

– Take over habitat Compete with small fish for plankton Clog pipes-industries spend millions annually removing them

– Power plants cooling pipes– Irrigation systems– Water treatment plants

Distribution of the Zebra Mussel by 2006

http://nas.er.usgs.gov/output/NAS_Interactive_US_SF_FLGVWDMZ014412033167862.png

The European Starling

1890 introduced by Eugene Schiffelin– New Yorker– Shakespeare fanatic– Imported 60 birds and released them in Central Park– Now we have 200 million

Negative Impacts– Outcompete natives such as the eastern bluebird and

purple marten– Natives fly south for the winter and starlings take their nests– Habitat generalists closely associated with humans– Agricultural pest-feed on grain

Distribution of the European Starling

Alliaria petiolataGarlic Mustard

European origin Introduced in the 1800s to the United States by

settlers. Uses:

A vegetable for its high Vitamin A and C content. A garlic-flavored herb in cooking. Planted to prevent erosion. For medicinal purposes, treating gangrene and ulcers.

Habitat

Frequently occurs in moist, shaded soil of – river floodplains– Forests– Roadsides– edges of woods and trails edges – forest openings

Disturbed areas are most susceptible to rapid invasion and dominance

Distribution

First year growth

Second year growth

Ecological Impact

A severe threat to native plants and animals in forest communities in much of the eastern and midwestern U.S.

Once introduced to an area, garlic mustard outcompetes native plants by aggressively monopolizing light, moisture, nutrients, soil and space.

Lythrum salicaria Purple Loosestrife

Eurasian origin Introduced in the 1800s to Canada by

settlers. Uses:

Ornamental For medicinal purposes, treating diarrhea,

dysentery, bleeding, wounds, ulcers and sores.

Distribution

Appearance

10 Years of Time

Ecological Impact

Adapts readily to natural and disturbed wetlands

Outcompetes and replaces native grasses Reduces habitat for waterfowl.

Invasive Insects

Asian Long-Horned Beetle - Damage

Destroys a wide varirty of trees including Norway, Boxelder, and Sugar Maples

Eggs deposited in lower area of trunks- female chews a little hole to lay eggs in.

Larvae feed under bark Mature larvae burrow

winding galleries through the heartwood until they emerge

Asian Long-Horned Beetle - Control

Only current control is to cut down trees in affected area

Can look for the oviposition scars to identify trees before the beetle emerges

Winding galleries

So…

What Characteristics make all these species invasive

Common Characteristics to all invasive species

Widespread High reproductive rate Generalist Rapid Dispersal

What you are going to do…

Create a business plan for an invasive species of your own

– Draw species and color it– Name it (be creative)– Why are you invasive (include 3 characteristics)? What’s

your plan of attack? Tell us where you came from and how you got to your biome.

– Why are you invading that biome? What abiotic factors are so appealing to you?

-Project what the biome will look like in the future with you present How is your presence influencing the species diversity and genetic diversity of your biome?

– Be prepared to share with the class