Biodiversity =

Many different types of

organisms

Organisms depend upon

one another for survival

The more variation of

species means the higher
biodiversity in an area.
 Biological diversity or biodiversity refers to
the number and variety of life forms found
within a specified geographic region.

 This includes the different plants, animals

and microorganisms, the genes they
contain, and the ecosystems they form.

 This living wealth is the product of

hundreds of millions of years of
evolutionary history.
 3 Types of Biodiversity
A. Genetic diversity
B. Species diversity
C. Ecosystem diversity
 A. Genetic Diversity
Genetic diversity is the variation in the genetic
composition of individuals in a population,
community or species.

• Allows individuals to adapt to different

conditions. Thus, high genetic diversity
increases ability of populations and species
to survive major changes in their
environment (e.g. climate change)
 B. Species Diversity

• Species diversity is the variety of

species (group of interbreeding
organisms) in a particular habitat or
ecosystem.

• The diversity of the smaller organisms

(e.g. phytoplankton, the plants of sea) is
less known than the larger organisms
(e.g. mammals such as dolphins and
whales).
 C. Ecosystem Diversity
• Ecosystem diversity describes the variation in
all living and non-living things in a particular
geographic or ecological region. Ecosystems
comprise unique combinations of animals,
plants, micro-organisms and physical
characteristics that define a location.
 Human beings are
dependent for their health,
well-being and enjoyment
of life on basic biological
systems and processes.

 People get food and many

medicines and industrial
products from the wild and
domesticated components
of biological diversity.
 Intrinsic/inherent
value

 Extrinsic/utilitarian/
instrumental value

Source: Burmbaugh © AMNH-CBC

 Biodiversity also has value in its own right, and is
not something that should simply be viewed for its
usefulness to humans.

 Human responsibility toward other living things,

and obligations to future generations, provide
strong reasons for conservation.
n purifying water
n fixing nitrogen
n recycling nutrients and waste
n pollinating crops

Plants and bacteria carry out

photosynthesis, which produces the oxygen
we breathe. Trees absorb carbon dioxide,
the main greenhouse gas given off by
human activities.
 Categorizing Values

Direct Use Indirect Use Non-Use Values

Value(Goods) Value
(Services)
Food, medicine, Atmospheric and Potential (or Future value
building material, climate regulation, Option) Value either as a good or
fiber, fuel pollination, service
nutrient recycling
Cultural, Spiritual Existence Value Value of knowing
and Aesthetic something exists

Bequest Value Value of knowing

that something
will be there for
future generations

M.F. Laverty and E.J. Sterling

 Direct Use Value: Goods
• Food
• Building Materials
• Fuel
• Paper Products
• Fiber (clothing,
textiles)
• Industrial products
(waxes, rubber, oils)
• Medicine

Source: © AMNH-CBC
M.F. Laverty and E.J. Sterling
 Food
• Today, most people rely on
~20 types of plants, and only
3 to 4 are staple crops.
• Diversity is critical for
developing new strains and
breeds, i.e. that suit a
particular environment or
are resistant to pests or Source: © AMNH-CBC

disease and as a source of

new crops
Building Materials, Paper Products, and Fuel

Source: © AMNH-CBC
 Fiber

Source: USDA Cotton Program

Source: USDA Photo b Ken Hammond

 Industrial Products

Originating plant or animal Product/End use

Cork oak (Quercus suber) Cork
PARē RUBBER TREE (HEVEA Rubber
BRASILIENSIS)
Lac insect (Laccifer spp.) shellac
CARNAUBA PALM (COPERNICIA CERIFERA) CARNAUBA WAX
Wax plant (Euphorbia antisyphilitica) candelilla wax
Jojoba plant (Simmondsia chinensis) jojoba oil
Cochineal insect (Dactylopius coccus) CARMINE DYE*
 Medicine
• About 80% of the
people in developing
countries use plants as
a primary source of
medicine.

• 57% of the 150 most-

Source: © AMNH-CBC
prescribed drugs have
their origins in
biodiversity
Traditional Medicine:Basis of Many Drugs
Drug Source Use

Barbaloin, aloe-emodin Aloe (Aloe spp.) antibacterial, skin

conditions, purgative
Atropine Belladonna (Atopa Relaxant, sedative
belladonna)
Codeine Opium poppy (Papaver Painkiller
somniferum)
Colchicine Autumn crocus Anticancer agent
(Colchicum autumnale)
Digitoxin Common foxglove Cardiac stimulant
(Digitalis purpurea)
Ephedrine, Joint fir (Ephedra sinica) Asthma, emphysema,
Pseudoephedrine bronchiodilator, hay fever
L-Dopa Velvet bean (Mucuna Parkinson’s disease
deeringiana)
Menthol Mint (Menta spcs.) Nasal congestion
Morphine Opium poppy (Papaver Painkiller
somniferum)
Quinine Yellow cinchona Malaria
(Cinchona ledgeriana)
Reserpine Indian snakeroot Hypertension
(Rauvolfia serpentina)
Scopolamine Thornapple (Datura metel) Sedative
Taxol Pacific Yew (Taxus Anticancer
brevifolia)
Vinblastine, vincristine Rosy periwinkle Leukemia
(Catharanthus roseus)
 Indirect Use Values: Services
• Regulating global processes, such
as atmosphere and climate
• Soil and water conservation
• Nutrient cycling
• Pollination and seed dispersal
• Control of agricultural pests
• Genetic library
• Inspiration and information
• Scientific and educational
• Tourism and recreation
• Cultural, spiritual, and aesthetic
• Community Resilience
Source: © AMNH-CBC
• Strategic
 Global Processes:
Atmospheric Regulation

• Photosynthetic
biodiversity created an
oxygenated atmosphere,
and also has the potential
to moderate the rising
amounts of atmospheric
carbon dioxide linked to
global climate change Source: Frey © AMNH-CBC
Global Processes: Climate Regulation
• Forests and other vegetation modify climate: by affecting sun reflectance,
water vapor release, wind patterns and moisture loss. Forests help maintain a
humid environment, for example, half of all rainfall in Amazon basin is
produced locally from forest-atmosphere cycle

Source: Bain © AMNH-CBC

 Soil and Water Conservation
Example: Coastal wetlands and mangroves

• Filters excess nutrients and

traps sediments that would
otherwise impact neighboring
marine and aquatic areas

Other services:
• Minimizes damage from
waves and floods
• Serves as a nursery for
juvenile commercial fish
• Provides habitat for many
birds, fish, and shellfish Source: Ersts © AMNH-CBC
 Nutrient Cycling

• Biodiversity is
critical to
nutrient cycling
and soil renewal
• Decomposers such
as algae, fungi,
and bacteria Source: Snyder © AMNH-CBC
 Pollination and Seed Dispersal

• Many flowering plants

depend on animals for
pollination to produce
food.

• 30% of human crops

depend on free services
of pollinators;
replacement value
estimated billions of Source: Spector© AMNH-
CBC
dollars/year in US alone
 Source of Inspiration
or Information

• Biomimicry
• Applied Biology
• Medical Models
• Education and
Scientific Research
Source: Brumbaugh © AMNH-CBC
 Medical Models
Hibernating bears
may improve the
treatment of:
– trauma patients
– kidney disease
– osteoporosis
Source: New Jersey Fish and Wildlife
 Spiritual and Cultural Values
• The survival of natural
areas and species are
important to different
cultures around the world.
• Thousands of cultural
groups in the world, each
have distinct traditions and
knowledge for relating to Source: Projecto Gato Andino Bolivia, Villalba & Bernal, 1998

natural world
Aesthetic Value

Source: Brumbaugh © AMNH-CBC

Thank you