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BIODIVERSITY : - Coggle Diagram
BIODIVERSITY :
SPECIES
KEYSTONE are like the structural beams –essential for holding the whole thing together.
They may not be the most abundant or flashy species, but their role in the ecosystem is undeniably impactful.
WHY SPECIAL
DISPROPORTIONATE IMPACT:
Imagineaseaotter-adorable,butcrucial!Theykeepseaurchinpopulationsincheck,whichpreventsthemfromovergrazingkelpforests.Healthykelpforestsarevitalforavarietyofmarinelife.
MAINTAINING BALANCE:
wolves in Yellowstone National Park, help regulate prey populations. This, in turn, prevents any one species from dominating and allows for a diversity of plants and animals to thrive.
HABITAT PROVIDER:.
create or modify habitats that benefit many other organisms. For example, beavers build dams that create wetlands, vital ecosystems for countless species
IMPORTANCE
MAINTAIN FOOD WEBS
A healthy ecosystem with a keystone species at its core allows for a variety of other species to coexist and flourish.
PROMOTE SPECIES RICHNESS
The activities of keystone species, like beavers creating wetlands, contribute to essential ecological processes like water filtration and nutrient cycling
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ECOSYSTEM ENGINEERS
FUNCTION
These species physically alter the environment in ways that create or modify habitats for other organisms
IMPACT
Create new habitats or modify existing ones, increasing biodiversity.
Influence water flow, nutrient cycling, and other ecosystem processes
Eg.
Beavers:They build dams that create wetlands, providing habitat for amphibians, birds, fish, and many other species.
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MUTUALIST
FUNCTION
These species have a symbiotic relationship with other species where both benefit from the interaction.
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Eg.
Pollinators and Flowering Plants:Bees and other pollinators transfer pollen between flowers, allowing plants to reproduce. In return, the bees obtain nectar and pollen for food.
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Coral Reefs and Algae:Zooxanthellae, a type of algae, live within coral polyps (animals) and provide them with nutrients through photosynthesis. In return, the coral provides the algae with protection and a stable environment
RIPPLE EFFECT
Paine's experiment elegantly demonstrated the concept of a trophic cascade. The removal of the starfish, a top predator, triggered a chain reaction throughout the food web.
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FLAGSHIP
a charismatic animal (or sometimes plant) chosen to represent a specific habitat, conservation issue, or campaign.
They act as ambassadors, drawing public attention to the threats faced by the environment and the importance of conservation.
FEATURES
Charismatic features:They are often large, majestic animals with easily recognizable appearances (think tigers, pandas, elephants).
Symbolic value:They can represent the beauty and wonder of nature, or the urgency of environmental threats
Eg.
Malaysia:Orangutan, Tapir (Rainforest conservation)
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FACTORS
Ecological importance:Keystone species that play a critical role in maintaining ecosystem health (e.g., sea otters in kelp forests).
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Cultural significance:Species that hold deep meaning for specific communities (e.g., the bald eagle in the United States).
UMBRELLA
species selected for conservation efforts because protecting its habitat also indirectly protects many other species within the same ecosystem.
CRITERIA
Large Home Range:Requiring vast areas for survival, thus encompassing the habitats of many other species.
Broad Habitat Needs:Utilizing diverse habitats within an ecosystem, ensuring protection for a wider range of species.
BENEFITS
Simplified Conservation Planning:Focusing on one species with large habitat needs can streamline the creation of protected areas.
Cost-Effectiveness:Protecting a single large area for an umbrella species can be more efficient than protecting numerous smaller areas for individual species.
Increased Biodiversity Protection:By ensuring the well-being of the umbrella species, the conservation efforts automatically benefit many other species sharing the habitat (the umbrella effect).
EG.
Grizzly Bear (North America):Their vast territory includes forests, meadows, and rivers, protecting a variety of plants and animals.
Elephants (Africa):Their wide range encompasses grasslands, savannas, and watering holes, benefiting numerous co-existing species.
LIMITATION
Not Foolproof:The umbrella effect relies on a good understanding of the ecosystem and the species it supports.
Species Specificity:Not all species qualify as effective umbrellas; some may have specific needs not covered by the protected area.
Alternative Approaches:Umbrella species should be used in conjunction with other conservation strategies for a more holistic approach.
FOUNDATION
A species that plays adisproportionately large rolein shaping and maintaining the structure and health of an ecosystem.
IMPACT
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Their activities significantly influence the physical environment and create habitats that benefit numerous other organisms
Ecosystem processes:They influence nutrient cycling, water flow, and other ecological functions.
ROLE
Producers:They provide the base of the food web, influencing nutrient cycling and energy flow (e.g., kelp forests in oceans).
Habitat Modifiers:They physically alter the environment, creating homes and breeding grounds for other species (e.g., coral reefs in marine ecosystems).
EG.
MARINE
Kelp:Forms underwater forests, providing food and shelter for diverse marine life.
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TERRESTRIAL
Trees:Create forest canopies that regulate temperature, humidity, and provide habitat for countless animals and plants.
Beavers:Construct dams that alter water flow, creating wetlands and enriching habitats for various species
IMPORTANCE
They are like thebuilding blocksof ecosystems, influencing the overall health and resilience of the environment.
Understanding foundation species is crucial for effective conservation efforts, as their decline can have a cascading negative effect on the entire ecosystem
INDICATOR
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CRITERIA
They are sensitive to environmental changes (pollution, habitat loss).
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BENEFITS
Cost-Effective Monitoring:Monitoring a single indicator species can be less time-consuming and resource-intensive than monitoring all species within an ecosystem.
Early Warning System:Changes in indicator species populations can serve as an early warning of environmental problems, allowing for timely intervention.
Streamlined Assessment:By focusing on indicator species, scientists can gain valuable insights into the health of various ecosystems,
LIMITATION
Specificity:An indicator species may not reflect all environmental issues. Multiple indicators may be needed for a comprehensive assessment.
Habitat Specificity:Indicator species effectiveness can vary depending on the specific habitat type.
Natural Fluctuations:Population fluctuations can occur due to natural causes. Long-term monitoring is crucial for accurate interpretation.
THREATS
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OVEREXPLOITATION
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examples (overfishing, hunting endangered animals).
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CLIMATE CHANGE
rising temperatures, changing weather patterns, and ocean acidification threaten species and ecosystems.
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POLLUTION
the impact of pollutants (pesticides, industrial waste) on biodiversity.
how it can disrupt ecosystems and poison wildlife (e.g., pesticides harming insects and birds).
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TYPE
GENETIC DIVERSITY
the variation in genes within a population (e.g., flower colorin pea plants).
for adaptation and survival (resistance to diseases, changing environments).
SPECIES DIVERSITY
the variety of unique species in an ecosystem (e.g., Amazon rainforest with its incredible number of species).
Give an example of species richness (number of species) in a specific biome (e.g., coral reefs vs. deserts).
ECOSYSTEM DIVERSITY
the variety of habitats and ecological processes (e.g., forests, grasslands, wetlands).
What are the importance of different ecosystems for the planet ? (e.g., rainforests for carbon storage, wetlands for flood control).
CONSERVATIVE EFFORTS
PROTECTED AREAS
protected areas (national parks, wildlife sanctuaries) as areas designated for conservation.
example of a well-known protected area (e.g., Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Tun SakaranMarine Park etc).
SUSTAINABLE PRACTICE
sustainable practices as those that meet current needs without compromising future generations' ability to meet theirs.
examples (sustainable forestry, reducing our carbon footprint).
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