1. Topic 4: Conservation and
biodiversity
4.1 Biodiversity in ecosystems
• What is biodiversity ?
•What is biodiversity ?
•Why is biodiversity important?
•Where is biodiversity greatest ?

2. Topic 4: Conservation and
biodiversity
4.1 Biodiversity in ecosystems
Three types of biodiversity

3. Topic 4: Conservation and
biodiversity
4.1 Biodiversity in ecosystems
Three types of biodiversity
•Species diversity

4. Topic 4: Conservation and
biodiversity
4.1 Biodiversity in ecosystems
Three types of biodiversity
•Species diversity
•Genetic diversity

5. Topic 4: Conservation and
biodiversity
4.1 Biodiversity in ecosystems
Three types of biodiversity
•Species diversity
•Genetic diversity
•Ecosystem (habitat) diversity

6. Topic 4: Conservation and
biodiversity
4.1 Biodiversity in ecosystems
Species Diversity:

7. Topic 4: Conservation and
biodiversity
4.1 Biodiversity in ecosystems
Species Diversity:
The variety of species per unit area.
This includes both the number of
species present and their relative
abundance.

8. Topic 4: Conservation and
biodiversity
4.1 Biodiversity in ecosystems
Species Diversity:

9. Topic 4: Conservation and
biodiversity
4.1 Biodiversity in ecosystems
Species Diversity:

10. Topic 4: Conservation and
biodiversity
4.1 Biodiversity in ecosystems
Genetic Diversity:

11. Topic 4: Conservation and
biodiversity
4.1 Biodiversity in ecosystems
Genetic Diversity:
The range of genetic material present in a
gene pool or population of a species.
Domestication and plant breeding lead to a
loss of genetic variety, hence the
importance of “gene banks”

12. Topic 4: Conservation and
biodiversity
4.1 Biodiversity in ecosystems
Genetic Diversity:

13. Topic 4: Conservation and
biodiversity
4.1 Biodiversity in ecosystems
Genetic Diversity:

14. Topic 4: Conservation and
biodiversity
4.1 Biodiversity in ecosystems
Genetic Diversity:

15. Topic 4: Conservation and
biodiversity
4.1 Biodiversity in ecosystems
Genetic Diversity:

16. Topic 4: Conservation and
biodiversity
4.1 Biodiversity in ecosystems
Genetic Diversity: Problems facing cheetahs:

17. Topic 4: Conservation and
biodiversity
4.1 Biodiversity in ecosystems
Genetic Diversity: Problems facing cheetahs:
• Habitat loss and human
encroachment

18. Topic 4: Conservation and
biodiversity
4.1 Biodiversity in ecosystems
Genetic Diversity: Problems facing cheetahs:
• Habitat loss and human
encroachment
• Competition with other predators and
predation by lions and hyenas in
protected areas

19. Topic 4: Conservation and
biodiversity
4.1 Biodiversity in ecosystems
Genetic Diversity: Problems facing cheetahs:
• Habitat loss and human
encroachment
• Competition with other predators and
predation by lions and hyenas in
protected areas
• Continued trapping and killing of
cheetahs on farmlands

20. Topic 4: Conservation and
biodiversity
4.1 Biodiversity in ecosystems
Genetic Diversity: Problems facing cheetahs:
• Habitat loss and human
encroachment
• Competition with other predators and
predation by lions and hyenas in
protected areas
• Continued trapping and killing of
cheetahs on farmlands
• Low genetic variation

21. Topic 4: Conservation and
biodiversity
4.1 Biodiversity in ecosystems
Genetic Diversity: Problems facing cheetahs:
• Habitat loss and human
encroachment
• Competition with other predators and
predation by lions and hyenas in
protected areas
• Continued trapping and killing of
cheetahs on farmlands
• Low genetic variation
• Abnormal reproductive traits

22. Topic 4: Conservation and
biodiversity
4.1 Biodiversity in ecosystems
Genetic Diversity: Problems facing cheetahs:
• Habitat loss and human
encroachment
• Competition with other predators and
predation by lions and hyenas in
protected areas
• Continued trapping and killing of
cheetahs on farmlands
• Low genetic variation
• Abnormal reproductive traits
• Increased disease susceptibility

23. Topic 4: Conservation and
biodiversity
4.1 Biodiversity in ecosystems
Genetic Diversity: Problems facing cheetahs:
• Habitat loss and human
encroachment
• Competition with other predators and
predation by lions and hyenas in
protected areas
• Continued trapping and killing of
cheetahs on farmlands
• Low genetic variation
• Abnormal reproductive traits
• Increased disease susceptibility
• Poor reproductive performance in
captivity

24. Topic 4: Conservation and
biodiversity
4.1 Biodiversity in ecosystems
Genetic Diversity:

25. Topic 4: Conservation and
biodiversity
4.1 Biodiversity in ecosystems
Genetic Diversity:

26. Topic 4: Conservation and
biodiversity
4.1 Biodiversity in ecosystems
Genetic Diversity:

27. Topic 4: Conservation and
biodiversity
4.1 Biodiversity in ecosystems
Genetic Diversity: Domestication and plant breeding
lead to a loss of genetic variety.

28. Topic 4: Conservation and
biodiversity
4.1 Biodiversity in ecosystems
Habitat Diversity

29. Topic 4: Conservation and
biodiversity
4.1 Biodiversity in ecosystems
Habitat Diversity
The range of different habitats in an
ecosystem, community or biome
associated with the variety of niches that
may be exploited by different species.
Conservation of habitat diversity usually
leads to the conservation of species and
genetic diversity.

30. Topic 4: Conservation and
biodiversity
4.1 Biodiversity in ecosystems
Habitat Diversity