Biodiversity and

Conservation
By Idura

Learning Objectives

The Five Kingdom

Kingdom Prokaryota
cells with no nucleus
DNA exists as a circular
chromosome
smaller circular molecules of DNA
called plasmids are often present
no membrane-bound organelles
(e.g. mitochondria, endoplasmic
reticulum)
ribosomes smaller than in
eukaryotic cells
cell wall containing peptidoglycans
usually exist as single cells or small
groups of cells.

Kindom Protoctista
Any eukaryote that is not a
fungus, plant or animal is
classified as a protoctist. Their
characteristics are :
eukaryotic
mostly single celled, or exist as
groups of similar cells
some have animal-like cells (no cell
wall) and are sometimes known as
protozoa
others have plant-like cells (with
cellulose cell walls and
chloroplasts) and are sometimes
known as algae.

Kingdom Fungi

Characteristic features of fungi are:

eukaryotic
do not have chlorophyll and do not
photosynthesize they feed
heterotrophically
simple body form, which may be unicellular
or made up of long threads called hyphae
(with or without cross walls); large fungi
such as mushrooms also have a compacted
mass of cells as
part of their life cycle
reproduce by means of spores (Figure 21.5)
cells have cell walls made of chitin or other
substances, not cellulose

Kingdom Animalia
Characteristic features of animals
are:
multicellular eukaryotes with cells that
are
differentiated to form tissues
do not have chloroplasts and feed
heterotrophically
do not have cell walls
cells sometimes have cilia or flagella.

Kingdom Plantae
Characteristic features of plants are :
multicellular eukaryotes with cells that
are differentiated to form tissues
some cells have chloroplasts and
photosynthesize
cell walls are always present and are
made of cellulose
cells may occasionally have flagella, for
example male gametes in mosses

Habitat Diversity The number

of different habitats in an area

Biodiversit
y the
variety of
living
organism in
an area

Genetic
Diversity

The variations
of alleles in a
species.

Species Diversity

The number of
different species
and the abundance
of each species in
an area.

Importance of Biodiversity
Maintaining Biodiversity is Important for
Economic Reasons
Food and Drink - plants and animals are the source of
almost all foods and some drinks.
Clothing - a lot of fibres and fabrics are made from
plants and animals
Drugs - many are made from compounds from plants
Fuels - We use a number of organism to produce
renewable fuels, including ethanol and biogas.
Other Industrial Matter A huge variety of other
materials are produced from plants and animals
species.

Importance of Biodiversity
Maintaining Biodiversity is Important
for Ecological Reasons
Disruption of Food Chains
Disruption of Nutrient Cycles
Loss of Habitat
Habitat Destruction Can affect climate

Importance of Biodiversity
Maintaining Biodiversity is Important
for Ethical Reasons
Many people believe organism have a
right to exist
Moral responsibility to conserve
biodiversity for future human
generations
Religious and Spiritual Reasons for
Conservation

Importance of Biodiversity
Maintaining Biodiversity is Important
to Agriculture
They are pollinators
Protection against disasters
A source of food
Pest Control
New Varieties

spoon-billed sandpiper (Eurynorhynchus pigmeus)

It is the most endangered bird on earth

Its population had fallen by 90% in ten years, thanks
to loss of feeding sites on its migration route.
Each year they migrate from their breeding ground
in the Russian Arctic to their winter feeding grounds
in Bangladesh and Burma.
Many of the wetlands in China and Korea at which
the birds used to stop and feed on this migration
have been reclaimed for agriculture or other use.
Because of this, fewer and fewer birds complete
each migration successfully.

Conservation and
Biodiversity
On site conservation includes
Establishing protected areas such as
national parks and nature reserves.
Controlling or preventing the
introduction of species that threaten
local biodiversity.
Protecting habitats
Restoring damaged areas
Promoting particular species
Giving legal protection to endangered
species

Conservation and
Biodiversity
Off Site conservation includes :
Relocating an organism to a safer area
Breeding organism in captivity then reintroducing
them to the wild when they are strong enough
Botanic gardens are controlled environment used
to grow a variety of rare plants for the purposes
of conservation, research, display and education.
Seed banks seeds can be frozen and stored in
seed banks for over a century without losing their
fertility. Seed Banks provide a useful source of
seeds if natural reserves are destroyed.

Breeding in Captivity
When animals in captivity refuse to breed,
various techniques as well as artificial
insemination can be used:
eggs can be collected from fertile females and
fertilised by in-vitro fertilisation (see page 460)
in some species, it has been possible to transplant
early embryos of the rare species into a female of
another closely related one, who acts as a
surrogate mother
it is sometimes possible to split early embryos,
thereby cloning them and increasing their numbers.

Cloning Animals

Why Sometimes Seed Banks

Doesnt Work