1.

Introduction to Taxonomy and Biodiversity

The diversity of biodiversity issues:

from definition to conservation and
sustainable use
 What is Biodiversity?

Bios & diversitas: the diversity of life

Life? Evolution What is

Biodiversity?
Self-replication
Growth and differentiation Temporal patterns
of biodiversity
Metabolism
Self-regulation Spatial patterns
of biodiversity
Inherent interaction with environment
Value of
biodiversity

Threats to
biodiversity
Life evolves to a spatio-temporal,
Conservation of
context-dependent , dynamic and biodiversity

functionality complex system which is

largely unpredictable

Hue University, January 2009

 What is Biodiversity?

« The variety of organisms considered at all levels,

What is
from genetic variants belonging to the same species Biodiversity?

through arrays of species to arrays of genera, Temporal patterns

of biodiversity
families, and still higher taxonomic levels; includes
Spatial patterns
the variety of ecosystems, which comprise both the of biodiversity
communities of organisms within particular habitats Value of
biodiversity
and the physical conditions under which they live »
Threats to
biodiversity

E.O. Wilson, 1992 Conservation of

biodiversity

Biodiversity is a fundamentally multidimensional

concept
Hue University, January 2009
 What is Biodiversity?

« … the conservation of biological diversity, the

sustainable use of its components and the fair and What is
Biodiversity?
equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the
Temporal patterns
utilization of genetic resources, including by appropriate of biodiversity
access to genetic resources and by appropriate transfer Spatial patterns
of relevant technologies, taking into account all rights of biodiversity

over those resources and to technologies, and by Value of

biodiversity
appropriate funding» Threats to
biodiversity

Article 1 CBD Conservation of

biodiversity

Biodiversity is also a value-loaden concept

Hue University, January 2009

 What is Biodiversity?

Diversity? What is
Biodiversity?

Organismal
Temporal patterns
Ecological diversity of biodiversity
diversity Phyla
Biomes Classes Spatial patterns
Bioregions Orders of biodiversity
Landscapes Families
Value of
Ecosystems Genera biodiversity
Genetic
Habitats Species
diversity Threats to
Niches Subspecies
biodiversity
Population Population Population
Individuals Individuals Conservation of
Chromosomes biodiversity
Genes
Nucleotides

Hue University, January 2009

Ecological
diversity What is Biodiversity?

What is
Biodiversity?

Temporal patterns
of biodiversity

Spatial patterns
of biodiversity

Value of
biodiversity

Threats to
biodiversity

Conservation of
biodiversity
Elements of
biodiversity form
nested hierarchies

Hue University, January 2009

Ecological
diversity What is Biodiversity?

Encompasses the scales of ecological differences from

populations, through niches and habitats, up to biomes What is
Biodiversity?

Temporal patterns
Distinguishing or breaking-up of the elements is arbitrary due to of biodiversity
large interconnectiviness between systems
Spatial patterns
(e.g. how to consider a coral reef without simultaneously considering sea of biodiversity
grass beds, mangrove forests, sandy beaches, …)
Value of
biodiversity

Threats to
biodiversity

Conservation of
biodiversity

Hue University, January 2009

Ecological Organismal
diversity diversity What is Biodiversity?

Encompasses the
taxonomic hierarchy
What is
and its components Biodiversity?

Temporal patterns
of biodiversity

Spatial patterns
of biodiversity

Value of
Individual biodiversity

Threats to
biodiversity
(from Campbell & Reece 2002)

Conservation of
biodiversity

But how are these

categories
determined?
Population

Hue University, January 2009

Ecological Organismal
diversity diversity What is Biodiversity?

Taxonomy = the scientific discipline that

detects, describes and classifies taxa
What is
Biodiversity?
Systematics = taxonomy + evolutionary Temporal patterns
relationships of biodiversity

Spatial patterns
of biodiversity

Question 1 - What is an Value of

biodiversity
individual? Threats to
biodiversity
A unique genotypic
combination and the Conservation of
biodiversity
phenotypical expression
thereof, belonging to a
population

Hue University, January 2009

Ecological Organismal
diversity diversity What is Biodiversity?

Taxonomy = the scientific discipline that

detects, describes and classifies taxa
What is
Biodiversity?
Systematics = taxonomy + evolutionary Temporal patterns
relationships of biodiversity

Spatial patterns
of biodiversity
Question 2 - What is a
Value of
population? biodiversity

Threats to
A population consists of individuals biodiversity
that share the same gene pool. The
Conservation of
gene pool of a species or a population biodiversity
is the complete set of unique alleles
that would be found by inspecting the
genetic material of every living
member of that species or population.

Hue University, January 2009

Ecological Organismal
diversity diversity What is Biodiversity?

Taxonomy = the scientific discipline that

detects, describes and classifies taxa
What is
Biodiversity?
Systematics = taxonomy + evolutionary Temporal patterns
relationships of biodiversity

Spatial patterns
Question 3 - What is a species? of biodiversity

Value of
± 1940: a species is a group of interbreeding natural biodiversity

populations that do successfully mate or reproduce with Threats to

biodiversity
other such groups
Conservation of
1989: a species is the smallest group of cohesive biodiversity

individuals that share intrinsic cohesive mechanisms

(but more definitions exist…)

Hue University, January 2009

Ecological Organismal
diversity diversity What is Biodiversity?

Taxonomy = the scientific discipline that

detects, describes and classifies taxa
What is
Biodiversity?
Systematics = taxonomy + evolutionary Temporal patterns
relationships of biodiversity

Spatial patterns
of biodiversity

Question 4 – How are species classified? Value of

biodiversity

Threats to
• On similarity? biodiversity
• On evolutionary relationship according to common Conservation of
biodiversity
ancestry?

Hue University, January 2009

Chimp Man Rabbit Limpet Barnacle Lobster

What is
Biodiversity?

Temporal patterns
of biodiversity
On evolutionary relationship On evolutionary relationship
Spatial patterns
On similarity On similarity of biodiversity

Value of
Pattern of evolution matters biodiversity

Threats to
biodiversity
time

time
Conservation of
biodiversity

formHue University, January 2009 form

Ecological Organismal Genetic
diversity diversity diversity What is Biodiversity?

Lowest level in the hierarchy What is

of biodiversity Biodiversity?

Temporal patterns
of biodiversity

Encompasses the Spatial patterns

of biodiversity
components of the genetic
Value of
coding that structure biodiversity

organisms (nucleotides, genes, Threats to

biodiversity
chromosomes) and variation in
Conservation of
the genetic make-up between biodiversity

individuals within a
population and between
populations

Hue University, January 2009

Ecological Organismal Genetic
diversity diversity diversity What is Biodiversity?

Genetic diversity within a population What is

Biodiversity?

Temporal patterns
of biodiversity

Spatial patterns
of biodiversity

Value of
biodiversity

Threats to
biodiversity

Conservation of
biodiversity

Hue University, January 2009

Ecological Organismal Genetic
diversity diversity diversity What is Biodiversity?

Genetic diversity What is

Biodiversity?

between Temporal patterns

of biodiversity
populations Spatial patterns
of biodiversity

Value of
biodiversity

Threats to
biodiversity

Conservation of
biodiversity
Geographic variation in genetic
diversity between isolated
populations of the house mice (Mus
musculus) on Madeira
(from Campbell & Reece 2002)

Hue University, January 2009

 Ecological Organismal Genetic
diversity diversity diversity What is Biodiversity?

Genetic diversity between populations

What is
Biodiversity?

Temporal patterns
of biodiversity

Spatial patterns
of biodiversity

Value of
biodiversity

Threats to
biodiversity

Conservation of
biodiversity

Genetic variation in
the VacA gene of
Helicobacter pylori
(from Blaser 2005)

Hue University, January 2009

 Ecological Organismal Genetic
diversity diversity diversity What is Biodiversity?

Genetic diversity
What is
between populations Biodiversity?

can also reveal cryptic Temporal patterns

of biodiversity
diversity Spatial patterns
of biodiversity

Value of
biodiversity

Threats to
biodiversity

Conservation of
biodiversity

(from Page & Charleston 1998)

Hue University, January 2009

 What is Biodiversity?

The n-dimensional What is

Biodiversity?

Temporal patterns
of biodiversity

web of life spun Spatial patterns

of biodiversity

Value of
biodiversity

through
Threats to
biodiversity

Conservation of
biodiversity

time and space

Hue University, January 2009
 Temporal patterns of biodiversity

Why understand biodiversity through time?

What is
 Global diversity = the number of taxa extant in the Biodiversity?

present day or at any given time in the geological past Temporal patterns
of biodiversity
 Reconstructing the trajectory of life’s history is
Spatial patterns
important as it enables better understanding of: of biodiversity

Value of
biodiversity
- the evolutionary ‘forces’ Threats to
biodiversity
- the fate of biodiversity
Conservation of
in the face of man-induced biodiversity
global change
(e.g. global warming, desertification,
deforestation)

Hue University, January 2009

 Temporal patterns of biodiversity

Two main sources of information point to

the amount of past biodiversity
What is
Biodiversity?

Temporal patterns
of biodiversity
Fossil record Molecular evidence
Scattered and largely Comparative analyses of Spatial patterns
of biodiversity
incomplete sequences
Biased for taxa Molecular clock Value of
biodiversity
Knowledge predominantly on Timed branching trees
Threats to
higher taxa rather than species representing hypotheses of biodiversity
phylogenetic relatedness
Conservation of
biodiversity
Seldom agreement between the sources (especially
in dating, but also in patterning)
e.g. molecular evidence suggests origination of at least 6 animal phyla deep in the
Precambrium; i.e. +400 my earlier than the fossil record

Hue University, January 2009

 Temporal patterns of biodiversity

Errors associated with sources

What is
Biodiversity?

Temporal patterns
of biodiversity
Fossil record Molecular evidence
Spatial patterns
of biodiversity

Value of
biodiversity
Underestimation due Nature and dynamics Threats to
to likelihood of of molecular clock is biodiversity

fossilisation and known to be variable Conservation of

biodiversity
recovery of oldest across taxa
fossils

Hue University, January 2009

But paleontological evidence grows...

What is
Biodiversity?

Temporal patterns
of biodiversity

Spatial patterns
of biodiversity

Value of
biodiversity

Threats to
biodiversity

Conservation of
biodiversity

Hue University, January 2009

...as does molecular, cladistic and biogeographic
evidence
(From Cooper & Fortey, 1998)

What is
Biodiversity?

Temporal patterns
of biodiversity

Spatial patterns
of biodiversity

Value of
biodiversity

Threats to
biodiversity

Conservation of
biodiversity

Hue University, January 2009

...as does molecular, cladistic and biogeographic
evidence
(From Cooper & Fortey, 1998)

What is
Biodiversity?

Temporal patterns
of biodiversity

Spatial patterns
of biodiversity

Value of
biodiversity

Threats to
biodiversity

Conservation of
biodiversity

Hue University, January 2009

Geological eras, periods
and their main events

Assumptions and evidence: What is

Biodiversity?

Single common ancestor Temporal patterns

3.5 to 4 billion years ago LIFE of biodiversity
2.2 billion years ago first eucaryotic
Spatial patterns
cells of biodiversity
1.4 billion years ago first
Value of
multicellularity (metazoa) biodiversity
0.6 billion years ago multicellular life Threats to
well diversified (cf. Ediacaran fauna) biodiversity
0.55 billion years ago Cambrian
Conservation of
explosion (cf. Burgess Shale Fauna) biodiversity
Body plans set at Cambrian explosion
(homeotic genes)
…

Hue University, January 2009

 Temporal patterns of biodiversity

What is
Biodiversity?

Temporal patterns
of biodiversity

Spatial patterns
of biodiversity

Value of
biodiversity
By using the
Threats to
analogy of biodiversity
a clock,
timing of key
Conservation of
episodes inbiodiversity
the
history of life can
easily be visualised
(from Des Marais 2005)

Hue University, January 2009

 Temporal patterns of biodiversity

Three main pulses of

diversification:
early Cambrian What is
Marine families Biodiversity?
Ordovician
through Mesozoic and Temporal patterns
of biodiversity
Cenozoic
Spatial patterns
of biodiversity
Five major mass extinctions:
late Ordovician Value of
late Devonian biodiversity

late Permian Threats to

biodiversity
late Triassic
end-Cretaceous Conservation of
biodiversity

Two main stabilization periods:

Mid to late Cambrian
most of the Paleozoic

Hue University, January 2009

 Temporal patterns of biodiversity

• Transitions in taxonomic
composition What is
Marine families Biodiversity?
• Sequential domination by
different groups (Sepkoski’s three Temporal patterns
of biodiversity
evolutionary fauna’s) during each
of the era’s: Spatial patterns
 Cambrian fauna of biodiversity

(trilobites) Value of
biodiversity
 Paleozoic fauna
Threats to
(articulate brachiopods, biodiversity
stalked crinoids, bryozoans,
Conservation of
hard corals,…) biodiversity
 Modern fauna
(gastropods, bivalves,
echinoids,…)

Hue University, January 2009

(From Erwin 1996)

What is
Biodiversity?

Temporal patterns
of biodiversity

Spatial patterns
of biodiversity

Value of
biodiversity

Threats to
biodiversity

Conservation of
biodiversity

Hue University, January 2009

Marine and terrestrial Temporal patterns of biodiversity
vertebrate orders

What is
Biodiversity?

Temporal patterns
younger faunas and of biodiversity

floras achieve higher Spatial patterns

of biodiversity
diversity
Value of
biodiversity

Threats to
biodiversity

Conservation of
biodiversity

Hue University, January 2009

 (From Gould 1994)

What is
Biodiversity?

Temporal patterns
of biodiversity

Spatial patterns
of biodiversity

Value of
biodiversity

Threats to
biodiversity

Conservation of
biodiversity

Hue University, January 2009

 (From Gould 1994)

What is
Biodiversity?

Temporal patterns
of biodiversity

Spatial patterns
of biodiversity

Value of
biodiversity

Threats to
biodiversity

Conservation of
biodiversity

Hue University, January 2009

 Temporal patterns of biodiversity

What is
Biodiversity = dynamic! Biodiversity?

Speciation = adding species Temporal patterns

of biodiversity
Extinction = taking species away
Spatial patterns
of biodiversity
Rise of biodiversity => speciation > extinction
Value of
Stasis of biodiversity => speciation = extinction biodiversity
Decline of biodiversity => speciation < extinction Threats to
biodiversity

Conservation of
Turnover in biodiversity is a natural phenomenon biodiversity

90-98 % of all the species that ever existed have gone extinct

Taxa have a ‘life span’

Hue University, January 2009

 Temporal patterns of biodiversity - extinctions

Species have an average life span (5-

10 Myr) What is
Biodiversity?
Strong skewness in life span of
genera (most short lived, few persist Temporal patterns
much longer = living fossils, e.g. of biodiversity

Latimeria) Spatial patterns

of biodiversity
Longest living genus = 160 Myr
Value of
Substantial variation in life span of biodiversity
species in taxonomic groups Threats to
biodiversity

Conservation of
biodiversity
(from Raup 1994)

Hue University, January 2009

 Temporal patterns of biodiversity - extinctions

Mass extinctions - past What is

Biodiversity?

Temporal patterns
of biodiversity

Spatial patterns
of biodiversity

Value of
biodiversity

Threats to
biodiversity

Conservation of
biodiversity

Hue University, January 2009

Mass extinctions - present

What is
Biodiversity?

Temporal patterns
of biodiversity

Spatial patterns
of biodiversity

Value of
biodiversity

Threats to
biodiversity

Conservation of
biodiversity

Hue University, January 2009

 Temporal patterns of biodiversity - extinctions

• Species in different taxonomic groups persist for periods with

considerable variation
• Extinctions are taxonomically clumped, often disproportionally large in What is
species-poor groups => great loss of genetic diversity Biodiversity?

• Extinctions reflect extrinsic factors => marine groups have lower Temporal patterns
natural extinction rates (greater buffering capacity of environment) of biodiversity

• Extinctions also have intrinsic factors (e.g. inbreeding depressions) Spatial patterns
of biodiversity

Value of
biodiversity

Threats to
biodiversity

Conservation of
biodiversity
• Mass extinctions ‘only’ account for 4%
• Absolute extent seems neglegible
• Disruption of pattern development is significant (elimination
of bauplans, lazarus taxa survive)

Hue University, January 2009

 Spatial patterns of biodiversity

What is

Different spatial scales: Biodiversity?

Temporal patterns
of biodiversity
Alfa diversity: diversity within local assemblage,
community or habitat Spatial patterns
of biodiversity
Beta diversity: rate and extent of turnover between Value of
communities, i.e. along a gradient biodiversity

Threats to
Gamma diversity: diversity within a geographical area biodiversity

= sum alfa + beta Conservation of

biodiversity

Hue University, January 2009

 Spatial patterns of biodiversity

Why understand spatial biodiversity? What is

Biodiversity?

Understanding of the geographical patterns of Temporal patterns

biodiversity facillitates, i.a.: of biodiversity

– Understanding the impact / spread of alien, invasive Spatial patterns

of biodiversity
species
Value of
– Control of diseases and their vectors biodiversity

– Understanding the likely effect of local or global Threats to

biodiversity
environmental change on the functioning of
ecosystems and the maintenance of biodiversity Conservation of
biodiversity
=> In situ conservation and sustainable use

Hue University, January 2009

 How is biodiversity spatially spread?
1. More high level taxonomic units (phyla, classes) in marine
systems (e.g. 90% of all known classes are marine, but only 15 % of known
What is
Biodiversity?
species are marine)
Temporal patterns
? of biodiversity

Spatial patterns
of biodiversity

Value of
biodiversity
Origin Heterogenity Complexity Pattern Distribution
of of environment of environment of ofThreats to
life herbivory bodybiodiversity
size
Conservation of
biodiversity

Age and continuity of marine systems

Hue University, January 2009

 How is biodiversity spatially spread?
2. Latitudinal gradients in species richness:
What is
• From high to low latitudes the average species richness within a Biodiversity?

sampling area of a given size increases (especially visible for terrestrialTemporal

and patterns
of biodiversity
freshwater species)
• How general is this pattern? e.g. declines appear faster in Northern than
Spatial patterns
in
of biodiversity
Southern Hemisphere; disrupted through positional (longitude, elevation, depth,...)
Value of
and environmental (topography, aridity,...) variables biodiversity

• Gradient is consequence of the balance of speciation and immigration

Threats to
biodiversity
and extinction and emigration
Conservation of
• Mechanism? A gordian knot of chance, historical perturbation, biodiversity
environmental stability, habitat heterogenity, productivity, interspecific
interactions,...

Hue University, January 2009

 What is
Biodiversity?

Temporal patterns
of biodiversity

Spatial patterns
of biodiversity

Value of
biodiversity

Threats to
biodiversity

Conservation of
biodiversity

Spatial patterns in
species richness

Hue University, January 2009 (from Gaston 2000)

(from Gaston 2000)
How is biodiversity
spatially spread?
3. Species-energy relationships
What is
Biodiversity?
greater energy availability
Temporal patterns
of biodiversity

Spatial patterns
greater biomass can be of biodiversity

supported in an areaValue of
biodiversity

Threats to
biodiversity

more individual organisms

Conservation of
biodiversity
coexist in viable populations

Increase in species richness

with energy availability
Hue University, January 2009
 How is biodiversity spatially spread?
4. Relationship between local and regional richness - How
does diversity at one scale relate to another scale? What is
Biodiversity?
(from Gaston 2000)
Temporal patterns
Type I: local richness is of biodiversity

proportional to, but less Spatial patterns

than, regional richness of biodiversity

Value of
biodiversity
Type II: local richness Threats to
biodiversity
attains a ceiling, whereas
regional richness Conservation of
biodiversity

continues to increase

Most systems exhibit type I and thus regional richness

seems to beHueaUniversity,
primeJanuary
driver
2009
for local richness
(from Gaston 2000)
How is biodiversity
spatially spread?
5. Taxonomic covariance in
species richness? What is
Biodiversity?

Positive relationships between

Temporal patterns
of biodiversity
different taxonomic groupsSpatial
notpatterns
necessarily imply covariance
of biodiversity

Value of
biodiversity
Covariance might be due to:
Threats to
• sampling effort biodiversity

• trophic relations Conservation of

biodiversity
• random effects

Patterns cannot be extrapolated

from one group to another
Hue University, January 2009
 Spatial patterns of biodiversity

Broad-scale picture:
What is
Biodiversity?
1. Terrestrial biogeographic regions
Temporal patterns
of biodiversity

Spatial patterns
of biodiversity

Value of
biodiversity

Threats to
biodiversity

Conservation of
biodiversity

(from Olson et al 2000)

(delimited on the composition of biota)

Hue University, January 2009

 Spatial patterns of biodiversity

Broad-scale picture:
What is
Biodiversity?
2. Marine Biogeographic Regions
Temporal patterns
of biodiversity

Spatial patterns
of biodiversity

Value of
biodiversity

Threats to
biodiversity

Conservation of
biodiversity

(delimited mainly with physical characteristics - e.g.

temperature regimes, currents, biochemical features,...)

Hue University, January 2009

 Spatial patterns of biodiversity

Broad-scale picture:
What is
Biodiversity?
2. Marine Biogeographic Regions
Temporal patterns
of biodiversity
(but increasingly also on biological data,...)
Spatial patterns
of biodiversity

Value of
biodiversity

Threats to
biodiversity

Conservation of
biodiversity

(from Roberts et al 2002)

Hue University, January 2009

 Spatial patterns of biodiversity

Broad-scale pictures with refined resolution:

What is
Biodiversity?
From biomes Temporal patterns
of biodiversity
Delimited on the
Spatial patterns
basis of areas in of biodiversity
terms of:
Value of
biodiversity
• environmental Threats to
biodiversity
conditions;
• habitat structure Conservation of
biodiversity
• patterns of
biological complexity

(from Olson et al 2000)

Hue University, January 2009

 Spatial patterns of biodiversity

Broad-scale pictures with refined resolution:

What is
Biodiversity?

...to ecoregions Temporal patterns

(from Olson et al 2000) of biodiversity
• Representing
Spatial patterns
distinct biotas of biodiversity
• Reflecting the Value of
distributions of a biodiversity

broad range of Threats to

biodiversity
fauna and flora
Conservation of
biodiversity

(from Olson et al 2000)

Hue University, January 2009

 Value of biodiversity

What is
Biodiversity?

Temporal patterns
of biodiversity

Spatial patterns
of biodiversity

Value of
biodiversity

Threats to
biodiversity

Conservation of
biodiversity

Hue University, January 2009

 Value of biodiversity

What is
Biodiversity?

Temporal patterns
of biodiversity

Spatial patterns
of biodiversity

Value of
biodiversity

Threats to
biodiversity

Conservation of
biodiversity

(Source: www.millenniumassessment.org)

Hue University, January 2009

 Value of biodiversity

What is
Biodiversity?

Temporal patterns
of biodiversity

Spatial patterns
of biodiversity

Value of
biodiversity

Threats to
biodiversity

Conservation of
biodiversity

(Source: www.millenniumassessment.org)
Hue University, January 2009
 Value of biodiversity

Human Well-being and Indirect Drivers of Change What is

Poverty Reduction  Demographic Biodiversity?
 Economic (globalization, trade,
 Basic material for a good life
 Health market and policy framework) Temporal patterns
 Human
Good Social Relations Indirect
 Sociopolitical (governance and
institutional framework)
of biodiversity

 Security
 Well-being
Freedom of choice and action Drivers
 Science and Technology Spatial patterns
of biodiversity
 Cultural and Religious
Value of
biodiversity

Direct Drivers of Change Threats to

biodiversity
 Changes in land use
Ecosystem  Direct
Species introduction or removal
Conservation of
Services 
Drivers
Technology adaptation and use biodiversity
 External inputs (e.g., irrigation)
 Resource consumption
 Climate change
 Natural physical and biological
drivers (e.g., volcanoes)
(Source: www.millenniumassessment.org)

Hue University, January 2009

 Value of biodiversity

Some concrete examples: food

Some 30,000 edible plant species What is
Biodiversity?
exist
Temporal patterns
Today, only 20~30 species of of biodiversity
plants feed the world
Spatial patterns
Only 4 (rice, wheat, maize and of biodiversity
banana) are staple crops. Value of
Source: © AMNH-CBC biodiversity
Diversity is critical for developing
Threats to
new strains and breeds, i.e. biodiversity
that suit a particular
Conservation of
environment or are resistant to biodiversity
pests or disease and as a
source of new crops

"Copyright 2003, by the authors of the material, with license for use
granted to the Center for Biodiversity and Conservation of the American Source: National Geographic
Museum of Natural History. All rights reserved."

Hue University, January 2009

 Alternative food sources need tapping

Laos
What is
Biodiversity?

Temporal patterns
of biodiversity

Triangular shelter along the shore in the Xe Lanong River (A) where
Spatial patterns
locals collect the copepods with a traditional net (B, C). of biodiversity
Value of
The concentrated catch (D) is called pla kayong biodiversity

Threats to
biodiversity

Conservation of
biodiversity

Hue University, January 2009 Source L. Sanoamuang

 Value of biodiversity
Allodiaptomus esculentus sp.n.
female (1.8 mm) male (1.5 mm)

What is
Biodiversity?

Temporal patterns
of biodiversity

Spatial patterns
of biodiversity

Value of
biodiversity

Threats to
biodiversity

Conservation of
biodiversity

Hue University, January 2009

 Value of biodiversity

Some hard examples: medicine

What is
About 80% of the people in Biodiversity?

developing countries use Temporal patterns

plants as a primary source of of biodiversity

medicine. Spatial patterns

of biodiversity

Value of
57% of the 150 most- biodiversity
prescribed drugs have their Threats to
origins in biodiversity biodiversity

Conservation of
biodiversity
"Copyright 2003, by the authors of the material, with license for use
granted to the Center for Biodiversity and Conservation of the American Source: © AMNH-CBC
Museum of Natural History. All rights reserved."

Hue University, January 2009

Some hard examples:
Climate
What is
Forests and other Biodiversity?

vegetation modify Temporal patterns

climate: by affecting sun of biodiversity

reflectance, water vapor Spatial patterns

of biodiversity
release, wind patterns
and moisture loss. Value of
biodiversity
Forests help maintain a
Threats to
humid environment, for biodiversity
example, half of all
Conservation of
rainfall in Amazon basin biodiversity
is produced locally from
forest-atmosphere cycle

Source: Ph. Kok (RBINS)

Hue University, January 2009
 Some hard examples: soil and water
conservation

Example: Coastal wetlands and mangroves What is

Biodiversity?
• Filter excess nutrients and trap
Temporal patterns
sediments that would of biodiversity
otherwise impact neighboring
Spatial patterns
marine and aquatic areas of biodiversity

Value of
Other services: biodiversity
• Minimizes damage from Threats to
biodiversity
waves and floods
• Serves as a nursery for Conservation of
biodiversity
juvenile commercial fish
• Provides habitat for many
birds, fish, and shellfish Source: Ersts © AMNH-CBC

"Copyright 2003, by the authors of the material, with license for use granted to the Center for Biodiversity and Conservation of the American
Museum of Natural History. All rights reserved." Hue University, January 2009
Some hard examples:
nutrient cycling
What is
Biodiversity?

Temporal patterns
of biodiversity

Spatial patterns
of biodiversity

Value of
biodiversity

Threats to
biodiversity

Conservation of
biodiversity

Hue University, January 2009 Nature Vol. 433: 566-567

 Some hard examples:
nutrient cycling What is
Biodiversity?

Temporal patterns
of biodiversity

Spatial patterns
of biodiversity

Value of
biodiversity

Threats to
biodiversity

Conservation of
biodiversity

Gende &
Quin, 2006 Hue University, January 2009
 Value of biodiversity
Indirect use value: scientific & educational

What is
Biodiversity?

Temporal patterns
of biodiversity

Spatial patterns
of biodiversity

Value of
biodiversity

Threats to
biodiversity

Conservation of
biodiversity

Hue University, January 2009

 Biodiversity and ecosystem functioning

What is
Biodiversity?

Temporal patterns
of biodiversity

Spatial patterns
of biodiversity

Value of
biodiversity

Threats to
biodiversity

Conservation of
biodiversity

Source: Brumbaugh © AMNH-CBC ; http://research.amnh.org/biodiversity/crisis/index.html

Hue University, January 2009
 Biodiversity and ecosystem functioning

What is
Biodiversity?

Temporal patterns
of biodiversity

Spatial patterns
of biodiversity

Value of
biodiversity

Threats to
biodiversity

Conservation of
Minimum of species Certain thresholds for Unpredictable biodiversity
for ecosystem ecosystem functioning response of
functioning functioning of
ecosystem
=> Ecological equivalency among species (redundancy)

Hue University, January 2009

 Value of biodiversity

A value politicians understand

What is
Biodiversity?

readily Temporal patterns

of biodiversity

Spatial patterns
of biodiversity

Global gross national product = 18 trillion Value of

biodiversity

USDollar Threats to
biodiversity

Estimated value of all ‘ecosystem services’ > Conservation of

biodiversity
33 trillion USDollar

Hue University, January 2009

 What is
Biodiversity?

Temporal patterns
of biodiversity

Spatial patterns
of biodiversity

Value of
biodiversity

Threats to
biodiversity

Conservation of
biodiversity

Hue University, January 2009

 Value of biodiversity

What is
Biodiversity?

Temporal patterns
of biodiversity

Spatial patterns
of biodiversity

Value of
biodiversity

Threats to
biodiversity

Conservation of
biodiversity

Check it out at:

http://www.biopat.de

Hue University, January 2009

 Threats to Biodiversity

What is
Biodiversity?
Multiple, often interacting, threats such as
Temporal patterns
of biodiversity

“HIPPO” Spatial patterns

of biodiversity

• Habitat loss, degradation, fragmentation Value of

biodiversity
• Invasive Alien Species Threats to
biodiversity
• Population growth
Conservation of
• Pollution biodiversity
• Overexploitation

Global Change

Hue University, January 2009

 Threats to Biodiversity
habitat destruction

What is
Biodiversity?

Temporal patterns
of biodiversity

Spatial patterns
of biodiversity

Value of
biodiversity

Threats to
biodiversity

Conservation of
biodiversity

(from Pimm & Raven, 2000)

Hue University, January 2009

 Threats to Biodiversity
 habitat fragmentation

What is
• Small fragments  small populations of fauna  Biodiversity?

vulnerable to extinction. Temporal patterns

of biodiversity
• Separated fragments  unlikely to be recolonised.
Spatial patterns
• Small fragments  little interior habitat (edge has a of biodiversity

different climate and favours different species)  Value of

biodiversity
extinction of those species.
Threats to
biodiversity

Conservation of
Solution? biodiversity
• Corridors of native vegetation solve the problem of
isolation but not the loss of interior habitat.
• Enlarged fragments to create more interior habitat,
but do not relieve the degree of isolation
Hue University, January 2009
 Threats to Biodiversity
alien invasive species

What is
Biodiversity?

Temporal patterns
of biodiversity

Spatial patterns
of biodiversity

Value of
biodiversity

Threats to
biodiversity

Conservation of
biodiversity

Hue University, January 2009(from: Shirley & Kark, 2006)

 Threats to Biodiversity
Some figures (cf McNeely 2001):
alien invasive species

What is
Biodiversity?

Temporal patterns
of biodiversity

Spatial patterns
of biodiversity

Value of
biodiversity

Threats to
biodiversity

Conservation of
biodiversity

Hue University, January 2009

 Threats to Biodiversity
Population growth

What is
Biodiversity?

Temporal patterns
of biodiversity

Spatial patterns
of biodiversity

Value of
biodiversity

Threats to
biodiversity

Conservation of
biodiversity

Hue University, January 2009 (from Cincotta et al, 2000)

 Threats to Biodiversity
Population growth
Decline and fall in household sizes

What is
Biodiversity?

Temporal patterns
FIGURE 2. Human of biodiversity
population densities (a)
Spatial patterns
and annual growth rates of biodiversity
( b) in the 25 global Value of
biodiversity hotspots (1– biodiversity

25) Threats to
biodiversity

Conservation of
biodiversity

(from Keilman 2003)

Hue University, January 2009

 Threats to Biodiversity
overexploitation

What is
Biodiversity?

Temporal patterns
of biodiversity

Spatial patterns
of biodiversity

Value of
biodiversity

Threats to
biodiversity

Conservation of
biodiversity

Hue University, January 2009

 Threats to Biodiversity
global change

Over the past 100 years

What is
Earth has become warmer Biodiversity?
(the past 30 years were the
Temporal patterns
warmest of the last millenium!) of biodiversity

and precipitation regimes Spatial patterns

of biodiversity
have changed…
Value of
biodiversity

Threats to
biodiversity

Conservation of
biodiversity

Hue University, January 2009

 Threats to Biodiversity
global change

…affects
biodiversity What is
Biodiversity?

Temporal patterns
of biodiversity

Spatial patterns
of biodiversity

Value of
biodiversity

Threats to
biodiversity

Conservation of
biodiversity

Hue University, January 2009(from: Millien et al., 2006)

 Threats to Biodiversity
global change

…affects What is
biodiversity Biodiversity?

Temporal patterns
of biodiversity

Spatial patterns
of biodiversity

Value of
biodiversity

Threats to
biodiversity

Conservation of
biodiversity

Hue University, January 2009(from: Araujo & Rahbek, 2006)

 Threats to Biodiversity
global change

What is
Biodiversity?

Temporal patterns
of biodiversity

Spatial patterns
of biodiversity

Value of
biodiversity

Threats to
biodiversity

Conservation of
biodiversity

(from Woods Hole Research Center

http://www.whrc.org/carbon/index.htm)

Hue University, January 2009

 Threats to Biodiversity
global change

What is
Biodiversity?

Temporal patterns
of biodiversity

Spatial patterns
of biodiversity

Value of
biodiversity

Threats to
biodiversity

Conservation of
biodiversity

Hue University, January 2009

 Threats to Biodiversity
extinction by numbers

What is
Biodiversity?

Temporal patterns
of biodiversity

Spatial patterns
of biodiversity

Value of
biodiversity

Threats to
biodiversity

Conservation of
biodiversity

(from Rodrigues, 2006)

Hue University, January 2009
 Threats to Biodiversity
extinction by numbers
For instance: Bird Species

What is
Biodiversity?

Temporal patterns
of biodiversity

Spatial patterns
of biodiversity

Value of
biodiversity

Threats to
biodiversity

Conservation of
biodiversity

(from Pïmm et al., 2006)

Hue University, January 2009

 Largest deforestation –
Situation at the start of the 21st century often illegal – occured
between 2001 and 2003

Alarm! by 2050 biodiversity will have halved What is

Biodiversity?

IUCN-world congress (Barcelona, 2008) Temporal patterns

of biodiversity
• Since 1600: 700+ animal – and 800+ plant species
Spatial patterns
have definitely gone extinct of biodiversity

• Severe underestimation of reality Value of

biodiversity

• by 2025, 20 % will have disappeared Threats to

biodiversity
• by 2050, 30 % more will have disappeared
Conservation of
biodiversity

Threatened plant species: Threatened animal species:

8,500+ 8,400+

Hue University, January 2009

 Conservation of Biodiversity
Conservation biology = a multidisciplinary science

What is
Biodiversity?
Conservation biology
Temporal patterns
Species of biodiversity

management Spatial patterns

Reserves design of biodiversity
Biology Restoration Sociology Value of
Ecology Conservation Economy biodiversity
Evolution Politics Threats to
Genetics Law biodiversity
Biogeography Philosophy Conservation of
biodiversity

Natural sciences Social sciences

Hue University, January 2009

 Conservation of Biodiversity
Pragmatic approach
focus on protected areas
(here marine protected areas holding coral reefs )
What is
Biodiversity?

Temporal patterns
of biodiversity

Spatial patterns
of biodiversity

Value of
biodiversity

Threats to
biodiversity

Conservation of
biodiversity

(from Mora et al 2006)

Hue University, January 2009
 Conservation of Biodiversity
Pragmatic approach
focus on threatened, endemic-rich areas – terrestrial
hotspots
(1.4 % of land area that contains an estimated 45 % of What is
Biodiversity?
terrestrial plant species and 35 % of terrestrial
vertebrates ) Temporal patterns
of biodiversity

Spatial patterns
of biodiversity

Value of
biodiversity

Threats to
biodiversity

Conservation of
biodiversity

(from Myers et al 2000)

Hue University, January 2009
 Conservation of Biodiversity
Pragmatic approach
focus on threatened, endemic-rich areas – marine hotspots
increasingly documented
What is
Biodiversity?

Temporal patterns
of biodiversity

Spatial patterns
of biodiversity

Value of
biodiversity

Threats to
biodiversity

Conservation of
biodiversity

(from Roberts et al 2002)

Hue University, January 2009
 Conservation of Biodiversity
More pragmatic approaches
Fig. 2. Maps of the nine global biodiversity conservation priority templates:
CE, crisis ecoregions (21); BH, biodiversity hot spots [(11), updated by (39)];
EBA, endemic bird areas (15); CPD, centers of plant diversity (12); MC,
megadiversity countries (13); G200, global 200 ecoregions [(16), updated by What is
(54)]; HBWA, high-biodiversity wilderness areas (14); FF, frontier forests (19); Biodiversity?
LW, last of the wild (20)
Temporal patterns
of biodiversity

Spatial patterns
of biodiversity

Value of
biodiversity

Threats to
biodiversity

Conservation of
biodiversity

(from Brooks et al., 2006)

Hue University, January 2009

 What is
Biodiversity?

Temporal patterns
of biodiversity

Spatial patterns
of biodiversity

Value of
biodiversity

Threats to
biodiversity

Conservation of
biodiversity

Biodiversity in the Indo-Pacific region, measured by counting the

total numbers of species in the 13 most species-rich coral and fish
families associated with 113 reef communities. Circle area is
proportional to total number of coral species,
Hue University, January 2009
 Conservation of Biodiversity
Scientific approach

Biogeography! What is
Dependant on stable taxonomy & systematics Biodiversity?

Aims to explain the structure, function and history of the Temporal patterns
of biodiversity
geographical ranges of biota
Spatial patterns
of biodiversity

Value of
biodiversity

Population-genetics Threats to
biodiversity
(gene-flow, metapopulation)
Conservation of
biodiversity
History Ecology
(‘historical ecology’) (biocoenose)

Hue University, January 2009

 Conservation of Biodiversity
Scientific approach

Descriptive biogeography What is

Biodiversity?
Floristics and faunistics = inventory of species (distribution maps)
Systematic biogeography = spatial distribution of larger groups Temporal patterns
(phylogeography: how? when?) of biodiversity

Biocoenotic biogeography = distribution and dynamics of life- Spatial patterns

communities of biodiversity

Causal biogeography Value of

Ecological biogeography = understand the environmental factors biodiversity
which determine distribution (level of the individu, population) Threats to
Historical biogeography = understand present-day distribution biodiversity
versus origin and evolution of organisms and landscapes (level of the
taxa) Conservation of
biodiversity
Experimental biogeography
Dispersal of species (e.g. larval dispersal, food availability)
Applied biogeography
Introduction/removal of species

Hue University, January 2009

 Conservation of Biodiversity
Scientific approach

Stable What is
Taxonomy taxonomy Phylogeny Biodiversity?

Temporal patterns
Systematics of biodiversity

Spatial patterns
of biodiversity
Accurate floristics & faunistics Value of
biodiversity

Threats to
biodiversity
Intrinsic understanding
of biogeography Conservation of
biodiversity

Reduction of stochasticity
in biodiversity conservation and sustainalbe usage

Hue University, January 2009

 Conservation of Biodiversity
Phylogenetic information content

What is
Biodiversity?

Temporal patterns
of biodiversity

Spatial patterns
of biodiversity

Value of
biodiversity

Threats to
biodiversity

Conservation of
biodiversity

Hue University, January 2009

 Conservation of Biodiversity
Phylogenetic information content

What is
Biodiversity?

Temporal patterns
of biodiversity

Spatial patterns
of biodiversity

Value of
Tropics are the engine for global biodiversity

Threats to
biodiversity biodiversity

Conservation of
biodiversity

Protect tropics or loss of source of

evolutionary novelty for all latitudes

Hue University, January 2009

 Conservation of Biodiversity
Phylogenetic information content

e.g.Theoretical Priority Area Analysis

What is
Biodiversity?
based on topology of phylogenetic tree
based on taxon weighing (dependent on evolutionary Temporal patterns
of biodiversity
history)
Spatial patterns
of biodiversity

Value of
biodiversity

Threats to
biodiversity

Conservation of
biodiversity

R3>R1>R2

Hue University, January 2009

 Conservation of Biodiversity
Phylogeny and endemism

What is
Conservation with Biodiversity?

traditional hotspot Temporal patterns

would favour of biodiversity

Pacific reefs Spatial patterns

of biodiversity

Conservation that Value of

biodiversity
takes evolutionary Threats to
distinctiveness into biodiversity

account favours Conservation of

Atlantic reefs biodiversity

(from Fukami et al 2004)

Hue University, January 2009

 Conservation of Biodiversity
politics

COP Decision VI/26

What is
Biodiversity?

Achieve significant reduction Temporal patterns

of biodiversity
of the current rate biodiversity
loss at the global, regional and Spatial patterns
of biodiversity
national level needed Value of
biodiversity

Threats to
What is significant? biodiversity
What is the current rate? Conservation of
What is biodiversity at the biodiversity

different levels?

What about practicalities?

Hue University, January 2009 Mace 2005: 32
Only when all components of biodiversity will be conservedWhat is
Biodiversity?
will it be possible to safeguard key functions and benefits from
ecosystems and thus achieve targets Temporal patterns
of biodiversity

Spatial patterns
We need meaningfull of biodiversity
indicators to monitor
Value of
trends over time biodiversity
and space Threats to
biodiversity

Conservation of
biodiversity

Hue(From Mace
University, 2005)
January 2009
 Conservation of Biodiversity
and sustainable development

Development that meets the need of the present What is

Biodiversity?
without compromising future generations
Temporal patterns
of biodiversity

Spatial patterns
of biodiversity

Value of
biodiversity

Threats to
biodiversity

Conservation of
biodiversity

http://www.iucn.org/programme
Hue University, January 2009
Raising public awareness
at all levels What is
Biodiversity?

Temporal patterns
of biodiversity

Spatial patterns
of biodiversity

Value of
29
biodiversity

Threats to
biodiversity

Conservation of
biodiversity

Hue University, January 2009

 Thank you What is
Biodiversity?

for your attention Temporal patterns

of biodiversity

Spatial patterns
of biodiversity

Value of
biodiversity

Threats to
biodiversity

Conservation of
biodiversity

Hue University, January 2009