BiodiversityWhy is it Important?

Biodiversity

Learning Targets: I can predict what may happen to an

ecosystem if biotic or abiotic factors are changed.

I can provide reasons why maintaining ecosystem biodiversity is important.

10-Minute MysteriesA boy tells his mother that he has a sore throat

and a fever. She turns to the boy and says, “Lucky for you, there’s moldy bread in the world.” WHY?

Clue #1 - The boy has strep throat, an infection caused by bacteria

Clue #2 – Bread mold contributed to an important medical discovery made in 1928.

Clue #3 – Strep throats are treated with penicillin, an antibiotic (or substance that kills bacteria)

10-Minute Mysteries Pair up with partners in your assigned lab

group and attempt to solve the other mysteries.

Questions must be in the form of yes or no questions.

Give clues out one at a time if they get stuck.

http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/encyclopedia/keystone-species/?ar_a=1

Biodiversity – Why is it important?Humans depend on plants, animals and

microorganisms in many ways.“Ecosystem services”

Plants remove CO2 and produce O2 Bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen into a

form that plants can use Decomposers (fungi, bacteria, insects,

scavengers) recycle dead and decaying organisms.

Wetlands regulate the flow and quality of fresh water.

Natural BeautyMoral and ethical obligation

Keystone Species

Sharks & Coral Reefs: http://www.theguardian.com/environme

nt/2013/sep/19/coral-reefs-suffer-hunt-sharks

A PNW Example of Biodiversity Kincaid’s Lupine and Fender’s Blue

Butterfly.

Oregon/Washington prairie ecosystem

An NW Prairie EcosystemKincaid’s Lupine A threatened species

Fender’s Blue ButterflyFender’s Blue ButterflyAn endangered species

The larvae feed on the Lupine.Adult feeds on nectar of other flowers in the prairie ecosystem

What kind of species are they?

Keystone? Foundation? Indicator? Umbrella?