The Importance of Biological Relationships:Assessing the issues with London’s Biodiversity using the Chimney Swift

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• There are several different types of biological relationships within ecosystems, all of which contribute and maintain a natural balance.

• A natural balance is vital to the survival of all species, including us. • Some examples of relationships within an ecosystem are:

– Biotic relationships (competition, predation, symbiosis) – Rhythmic relationships (migration, hibernation, diurnal, and nocturnal) – Succession relationships (primary and secondary)

Biological Relationships within Ecosystems

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Relationships

• An example of relationships within ecosystems is a food web.

• The food web is currently balanced however what do you think would happen if: 1. The grizzly bear was over

hunted 2. The marmot went extinct 3. The butterfly no longer

existed

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Biodiversity What is Biodiversity ?

Biodiversity is the variety of life in a specific ecosystem.

Biodiversity can be studied on a small scale, studying one specific species in

one specific area, or focused more broadly, such as the study of Canadian

mammals.

Can you think of an example of a small scale study? And one of a larger scale

study?

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Biodiversity• Biodiversity is one of the most difficult areas to study in

science as the relationships are extremely connected and delicate.

• It is difficult to identify where relationships begin and end and which species affect one another.

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Why does Biodiversity Matter?

• Without biodiversity a variety of organisms, ecosystems, and natural processes would not

exist– E.g.; the production of air, the

cycling of carbon and nitrogen

• Humans are a part of and dependent on ecosystems

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Why does Biodiversity Matter ?

• Biodiversity is very important for the following reasons: – Species are:

1. Less likely to suffer from genetic diseases2. More resistant to viral and bacterial infections3. More likely to be adaptable to environmental change

– Ecosystems have: 1. A greater ability to provide further ecosystem services2. The ability to increase diversity between and among different species

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• Within the city and its surrounding areas there are a lot of different ecosystems which range from small neighborhoods to large conservation areas

• London also has 8 environmentally significant areas which are home to many diverse species and a variety of unique ecosystem relationships– Can you name an environmentally significant area near

your home?

Biodiversity in London

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London’s Biodiversity Status

• What do you think is the current status of biodiversity in London?

• London currently suffers from a high rate of urbanization• Urbanization: rapid and massive growth of and migration to large cities

• Urbanization causes: 1. High concentrations of populations 2. High energy consumption 3. Negative interactions with surrounding environments4. Pollution 5. Heat islands 6. Flooding 7. Destruction of natural ecosystems 8. A decrease in biodiversity within the surrounding ecosystem

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A Local Biodiversity Issue:

THE CHIMNEY SWIFT

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The Chimney Swift• The chimney swift is a

12-15 cm bird with a wingspan of 27-30 cm

• Swifts are acrobatic and able to catch insects during flight making them “aerial insectivores”

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The Chimney Swift• The Swift lives in both

urban and rural areas• Enjoys nesting in

vertical structures like chimneys, air vents, wells, and caves

• They spend the summer in Canada and the winter in Peru and Chile

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The Chimney Swift• Each pair raises 3-5

nestlings during their breeding season

• Adults use sticks and glue-like saliva to create nests for their young in vertical structures

• The eggs take 16-21 days to hatch and then babies stay in the nest till they are 14-19 days old

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Chimney Swift Flight • The movement of a

chimney swift is similar to how a fighter jet moves.

• The chimney swift is named after its ability to quickly move through the air and in smaller spaces.

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How to Identify a Chimney Swift 1. Size and shape 2. Colour pattern3. Behaviour 4. Habitat 5. Song

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Why Chimney Swifts? • Chimney Swifts are one of

London’s many native species • Populations have reduced by 65% • Only 1% of the population now

lives in Canada• The Chimney Swift is currently on

the Species at Risk in Ontario list and is listed as “Threatened”

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Why Is The Population Declining ?• Why do you think the

population is declining? – Chimney capping– Logging of old growth

forests– Use of pesticides – Lack of diversity within

the population

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Why Is The Chimney Swift Important?• It is one of many essential species in London’s

ecosystems. • Contributes to an increased rate of biodiversity. • Species decline widely affects other species as they

are an important link in the food chain and in the ecosystem.

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Analyzing Chimney Swift Data• Using the data provided, analyze the population

data of Chimney Swifts in Ontario• Use the data to draw conclusions surrounding their

habitat and population characteristics

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Case Study: Choose Your Own

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What did you think about the lesson?

• What did you learn?• What did you love? • What do you want to learn more about?• What was boring?• How would you make the lesson better?