Biodiversity II | Environmental Science

<!DOCTYPE html> <html lang="en" dir="ltr"> <head>  <meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="ie=edge"> <meta charset="utf-8"> <base href="https://www.visionlearning.com"> <title>Biodiversity II | Environmental Science | Visionlearning</title> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.visionlearning.com/en/library/environmental-science/61/biodiversity-ii/281"> <meta name="description" content="According to recent estimates, humans have significantly altered roughly 75% of land-based environments, resulting in often drastic changes to biodiversity. This module explores humans’ impact on the Earth and its ecosystems and how this ongoing change is affecting the global level of biodiversity."> <meta name="keywords" content="ecosystem, ecosystems, biodiversity, species, habitat, habitats, extinction, anthropocene"> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0, shrink-to-fit=no"> <meta name="msvalidate.01" content="D8E20F39AD48052260032E56DE409970"> <script type="application/ld+json"> { "@context": "http://schema.org/", "@type": "Article", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://visionlearning.com/en/library/environmental-science/61/biodiversity-ii/281" }, "name": "Biodiversity II", "headline": "Biodiversity II: Changing habits and habitats", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Devin Reese, PhD." }, "datePublished": "2022-10-07 10:46:59", "dateModified": "2017-02-12T08:30:00+05:00", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "/img/library/moduleImages/featured_image_281-23061209063903.jpg", "width": 696, "height": 464 }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Visionlearning, Inc.", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "http://visionlearning.com/images/logo.png", "width": 278, "height": 60 } }, "description": "According to recent estimates, humans have significantly altered roughly 75% of land-based environments, resulting in often drastic changes to biodiversity. This module explores humans’ impact on the Earth and its ecosystems and how this ongoing change is affecting the global level of biodiversity.", "keywords": "ecosystem, ecosystems, biodiversity, species, habitat, habitats, extinction, anthropocene", "inLanguage": { "@type": "Language", "name": "English", "alternateName": "en" }, "copyrightHolder": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Visionlearning, Inc." }, "copyrightYear": "2022"} </script> <meta property="og:url" content="https://visionlearning.com/en/library/environmental-science/61/biodiversity-ii/281"> <meta property="og:title" content="Biodiversity II | Environmental Science | Visionlearning" /> <meta property="og:type" content="website"> <meta property="og:site_name" content="Visionlearning"> <meta property="og:description" content="According to recent estimates, humans have significantly altered roughly 75% of land-based environments, resulting in often drastic changes to biodiversity. 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aria-controls="acc-panel-hazards" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="accordion__button__label"> Hazards </span> </button> <div class="accordion__panel" id="acc-panel-hazards" data-accordion="panel" aria-labelledby="acc-button-hazards" role="region"> <ul class="nav text-color-link"> <li><a href="/en/library/earth-science/6/natural-hazards-and-risk/288">Natural Hazards and Risk</a></li> </ul> </div> <button class="accordion__button" id="acc-button-earth-history" data-accordion="button" aria-controls="acc-panel-earth-history" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="accordion__button__label"> Earth History </span> </button> <div class="accordion__panel" id="acc-panel-earth-history" data-accordion="panel" aria-labelledby="acc-button-earth-history" role="region"> <ul class="nav text-color-link"> <li><a href="/en/library/earth-science/6/extinction/295">Extinction</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/earth-science/6/mass-extinctions/294">Mass Extinctions</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <button 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href="/en/library/environmental-science/61/ecosystem-services/279">Ecosystem Services</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/environmental-science/61/population-biology/287">Population Biology</a></li> </ul> </div> <button class="accordion__button" id="acc-button-earth-cycles" data-accordion="button" aria-controls="acc-panel-earth-cycles" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="accordion__button__label"> Earth Cycles </span> </button> <div class="accordion__panel" id="acc-panel-earth-cycles" data-accordion="panel" aria-labelledby="acc-button-earth-cycles" role="region"> <ul class="nav text-color-link"> <li><a href="/en/library/environmental-science/61/the-nitrogen-cycle/98">The Nitrogen Cycle</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/environmental-science/61/the-carbon-cycle/95">The Carbon Cycle</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/environmental-science/61/the-phosphorus-cycle/197">The Phosphorus Cycle</a></li> </ul> </div> <button class="accordion__button" id="acc-button-scientific-research" 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aria-labelledby="acc-button-measurement" role="region"> <ul class="nav text-color-link"> <li><a href="/en/library/general-science/3/the-metric-system/47">The Metric System</a></li> </ul> </div> <button class="accordion__button" id="acc-button-physical-properties" data-accordion="button" aria-controls="acc-panel-physical-properties" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="accordion__button__label"> Physical Properties </span> </button> <div class="accordion__panel" id="acc-panel-physical-properties" data-accordion="panel" aria-labelledby="acc-button-physical-properties" role="region"> <ul class="nav text-color-link"> <li><a href="/en/library/general-science/3/temperature/48">Temperature</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/general-science/3/density-and-buoyancy/37">Density and Buoyancy</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <button class="accordion__button" id="acc-button-math-in-science" data-accordion="button" aria-controls="acc-panel-math-in-science" aria-expanded="false"> <span 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href="/en/library/math-in-science/62/exponential-equations-ii/210">Exponential Equations II</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/math-in-science/62/scientific-notation/250">Scientific Notation</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/math-in-science/62/measurement/257">Measurement</a></li> </ul> </div> <button class="accordion__button" id="acc-button-statistics" data-accordion="button" aria-controls="acc-panel-statistics" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="accordion__button__label"> Statistics </span> </button> <div class="accordion__panel" id="acc-panel-statistics" data-accordion="panel" aria-labelledby="acc-button-statistics" role="region"> <ul class="nav text-color-link"> <li><a href="/en/library/math-in-science/62/introduction-to-descriptive-statistics/218">Introduction to Descriptive Statistics</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/math-in-science/62/introduction-to-inferential-statistics/224">Introduction to Inferential Statistics</a></li> <li><a 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role="region"> <div class="accordion accordion--secondary"> <button class="accordion__button" id="acc-button-light-and-optics" data-accordion="button" aria-controls="acc-panel-light-and-optics" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="accordion__button__label"> Light and Optics </span> </button> <div class="accordion__panel" id="acc-panel-light-and-optics" data-accordion="panel" aria-labelledby="acc-button-light-and-optics" role="region"> <ul class="nav text-color-link"> <li><a href="/en/library/physics/24/the-nature-of-light/132">The Nature of Light</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/physics/24/electromagnetism-and-light/138">Electromagnetism and Light</a></li> </ul> </div> <button class="accordion__button" id="acc-button-mechanics" data-accordion="button" aria-controls="acc-panel-mechanics" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="accordion__button__label"> Mechanics </span> </button> <div class="accordion__panel" id="acc-panel-mechanics" data-accordion="panel" 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aria-expanded="false"> <span class="accordion__button__label"> Introduction </span> </button> <div class="accordion__panel" id="acc-panel-introduction" data-accordion="panel" aria-labelledby="acc-button-introduction" role="region"> <ul class="nav text-color-link"> <li><a href="/en/library/process-of-science/49/the-process-of-science/176">The Process of Science</a></li> </ul> </div> <button class="accordion__button" id="acc-button-the-culture-of-science" data-accordion="button" aria-controls="acc-panel-the-culture-of-science" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="accordion__button__label"> The Culture of Science </span> </button> <div class="accordion__panel" id="acc-panel-the-culture-of-science" data-accordion="panel" aria-labelledby="acc-button-the-culture-of-science" role="region"> <ul class="nav text-color-link"> <li><a href="/en/library/process-of-science/49/the-nature-of-scientific-knowledge/185">The Nature of Scientific Knowledge</a></li> <li><a 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href="/en/library/process-of-science/49/comparison-in-scientific-research/152">Comparison in Scientific Research</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/process-of-science/49/modeling-in-scientific-research/153">Modeling in Scientific Research</a></li> </ul> </div> <button class="accordion__button" id="acc-button-data" data-accordion="button" aria-controls="acc-panel-data" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="accordion__button__label"> Data </span> </button> <div class="accordion__panel" id="acc-panel-data" data-accordion="panel" aria-labelledby="acc-button-data" role="region"> <ul class="nav text-color-link"> <li><a href="/en/library/process-of-science/49/data-analysis-and-interpretation/154">Data Analysis and Interpretation</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/process-of-science/49/uncertainty-error-and-confidence/157">Uncertainty, Error, and Confidence</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/process-of-science/49/statistics-in-science/155">Statistics in Science</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/process-of-science/49/using-graphs-and-visual-data-in-science/156">Using Graphs and Visual Data in Science</a></li> </ul> </div> <button class="accordion__button" id="acc-button-scientific-communication" data-accordion="button" aria-controls="acc-panel-scientific-communication" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="accordion__button__label"> Scientific Communication </span> </button> <div class="accordion__panel" id="acc-panel-scientific-communication" data-accordion="panel" aria-labelledby="acc-button-scientific-communication" role="region"> <ul class="nav text-color-link"> <li><a href="/en/library/process-of-science/49/understanding-scientific-journals-and-articles/158">Understanding Scientific Journals and Articles</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/process-of-science/49/utilizing-the-scientific-literature/173">Utilizing the Scientific Literature</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/process-of-science/49/peer-review-in-scientific-publishing/159">Peer Review in Scientific Publishing</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/process-of-science/49/the-how-and-why-of-scientific-meetings/186">The How and Why of Scientific Meetings</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <button class="accordion__button" id="acc-button-scientists-and-research" data-accordion="button" aria-controls="acc-panel-scientists-and-research" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="accordion__button__label"> Scientists and Research </span> </button> <div class="accordion__panel" id="acc-panel-scientists-and-research" data-accordion="panel" aria-labelledby="acc-button-scientists-and-research" role="region"> <div class="accordion accordion--secondary"> <button class="accordion__button" id="acc-button-scientific-research" data-accordion="button" aria-controls="acc-panel-scientific-research" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="accordion__button__label"> Scientific Research </span> </button> <div class="accordion__panel" id="acc-panel-scientific-research" data-accordion="panel" aria-labelledby="acc-button-scientific-research" role="region"> <ul class="nav text-color-link"> <li><a href="/en/library/scientists-and-research/58/collaborative-research-in-the-arctic-towards-understanding-climate-change/183">Collaborative Research in the Arctic Towards Understanding Climate Change</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/scientists-and-research/58/from-stable-chromosomes-to-jumping-genes/184">From Stable Chromosomes to Jumping Genes</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/scientists-and-research/58/an-elegant-experiment-to-test-the-process-of-dna-replication/187">An Elegant Experiment to Test the Process of DNA Replication</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/scientists-and-research/58/the-founding-of-neuroscience/233">The Founding of Neuroscience</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/scientists-and-research/58/tracking-endangered-jaguars-across-the-border/189">Tracking Endangered Jaguars across the Border</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/scientists-and-research/58/atmospheric-chemistry-research-that-changed-global-policy/211">Atmospheric Chemistry Research that Changed Global Policy</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/scientists-and-research/58/revolutionizing-medicine-with-monoclonal-antibodies/220">Revolutionizing Medicine with Monoclonal Antibodies</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/scientists-and-research/58/uncovering-the-mysteries-of-chronic-mountain-sickness/238">Uncovering the Mysteries of Chronic Mountain Sickness</a></li> </ul> </div> <button class="accordion__button" id="acc-button-profiles-in-science" data-accordion="button" aria-controls="acc-panel-profiles-in-science" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="accordion__button__label"> Profiles in Science </span> </button> <div class="accordion__panel" id="acc-panel-profiles-in-science" data-accordion="panel" aria-labelledby="acc-button-profiles-in-science" role="region"> <ul class="nav text-color-link"> <li><a href="/en/library/scientists-and-research/58/luis-e.-miramontes/232">Luis E. Miramontes</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/scientists-and-research/58/bernardo-houssay/237">Bernardo Houssay</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/scientists-and-research/58/craig-lee/256">Craig Lee</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/scientists-and-research/58/david-ho/241">David Ho</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/scientists-and-research/58/louis-tompkins-wright/244">Louis Tompkins Wright</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/scientists-and-research/58/carlos-j.-finlay/217">Carlos J. Finlay</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/scientists-and-research/58/cecilia-payne/290">Cecilia Payne</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/scientists-and-research/58/jazmin-scarlett/291">Jazmin Scarlett</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/scientists-and-research/58/ramari-stewart/292">Ramari Stewart</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/scientists-and-research/58/johnson-cerda/300">Johnson Cerda</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/scientists-and-research/58/ellen-ochoa/201">Ellen Ochoa</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/scientists-and-research/58/ruth-benerito/205">Ruth Benerito</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/scientists-and-research/58/franklin-chang-díaz/219">Franklin Chang Díaz</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/scientists-and-research/58/percy-lavon-julian/221">Percy Lavon Julian</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/scientists-and-research/58/luis-walter-alvarez/229">Luis Walter Alvarez</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/scientists-and-research/58/france-anne-dominic-córdova/230">France Anne-Dominic Córdova</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </li> <li>  <button class="button" data-toggle="dropdown">Environmental Science </button> <div class="nav__dropdown box-shadow-1 padding-1"> <div class="accordion accordion--secondary font-size-sm"> <div class="accordion accordion--secondary"> <button class="accordion__button" id="acc-sub-button-ecology" data-accordion="button" aria-controls="acc-sub-panel-ecology" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="accordion__button__label"> Ecology </span> </button> <div class="accordion__panel" id="acc-sub-panel-ecology" data-accordion="panel" aria-labelledby="acc-sub-button-ecology" role="region"> <ul class="nav text-color-link"> <li><a href="/en/library/environmental-science/61/biodiversity-i/276">Biodiversity I</a></li> <li class="current">Biodiversity II</li> <li><a href="/en/library/environmental-science/61/ecosystem-services/279">Ecosystem Services</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/environmental-science/61/population-biology/287">Population Biology</a></li> </ul> </div> <button class="accordion__button" id="acc-sub-button-earth-cycles" data-accordion="button" aria-controls="acc-sub-panel-earth-cycles" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="accordion__button__label"> Earth Cycles </span> </button> <div class="accordion__panel" id="acc-sub-panel-earth-cycles" data-accordion="panel" aria-labelledby="acc-sub-button-earth-cycles" role="region"> <ul class="nav text-color-link"> <li><a href="/en/library/environmental-science/61/the-nitrogen-cycle/98">The Nitrogen Cycle</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/environmental-science/61/the-carbon-cycle/95">The Carbon Cycle</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/environmental-science/61/the-phosphorus-cycle/197">The Phosphorus Cycle</a></li> </ul> </div> <button class="accordion__button" id="acc-sub-button-scientific-research" data-accordion="button" aria-controls="acc-sub-panel-scientific-research" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="accordion__button__label"> Scientific Research </span> </button> <div class="accordion__panel" id="acc-sub-panel-scientific-research" data-accordion="panel" aria-labelledby="acc-sub-button-scientific-research" role="region"> <ul class="nav text-color-link"> <li><a href="/en/library/environmental-science/61/collaborative-research-in-the-arctic-towards-understanding-climate-change/183">Collaborative Research in the Arctic Towards Understanding Climate Change</a></li> <li><a href="/en/library/environmental-science/61/atmospheric-chemistry-research-that-changed-global-policy/211">Atmospheric Chemistry Research that Changed Global Policy</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </li> </ul> </nav>  <div id="theTop"></div> <main id="skip-header-content"> <div class="margin-bottom-5"> <article class="container wide module"> <header class="grid grid--sidebar-right module__header"> <div class="module__header__title"> <span class="subcategory"> <strong><em>Ecology</em></strong> </span> <h1>Biodiversity II: <sub><em>Changing habits and habitats</em></sub></h1> <p class="byline">by Devin Reese, PhD.</p> <nav class="module__header__tabs"> <ul class="tabs-nav tabs-nav--horizontal library"> <li> <a href="/en/library/environmental-science/61/biodiversity-ii/281/reading" aria-current="page" >Reading</a> </li> <li> <a href="/en/library/environmental-science/61/biodiversity-ii/281/quiz">Quiz</a> </li> <li> <a href="/en/library/environmental-science/61/biodiversity-ii/281/resources">Teach with this</a> </li> </ul> </nav> </div> <script type="application/ld+json"> { "@context": "http://schema.org", "@type": "AudioObject", "contentUrl": "https://www.visionlearning.com/img/library/moduleAudio/module_281.mp3", "description": "Recording of Biodiversity II : According to recent estimates, humans have significantly altered roughly 75% of land-based environments, resulting in often drastic changes to biodiversity. This module explores humans’ impact on the Earth and its ecosystems and how this ongoing change is affecting the global level of biodiversity.", "encodingFormat": "mp3", "name": "module_281.mp3" } </script> <div class="module_header_audio"> <div class="audio-player border border-radius"> <audio id="audio"> <source src="https://www.visionlearning.com/img/library/moduleAudio/module_281.mp3" type="audio/mpeg"> Your browser does not support the audio element. </audio> <div class="audio-player__title"> <p>Listen to this reading</p> <span class="audio-player__timestamp" id="timestamp"> 00:00 </span> </div> <div class="audio-player__controls" id="controls"> <button class="button button--icon-only" id="play-pause-button"> <span class="icon icon-play" aria-hidden="true"></span> </button> <div class="audio-player__progress" id="progress-bar" tabindex="0" aria-valuemin="0" aria-valuemax="100" aria-valuenow="0" aria-label="Use arrow keys to forward or rewind the audio" role="slider"> <div class="audio-player__progress__fill"> <span class="audio-player__thumb"></span> </div> </div> <div class="audio-player__volume-container"> <button id="mute-button"> <span class="icon icon-volume"></span> </button> <div class="audio-player__volume" tabindex="0" aria-valuemin="0" aria-valuemax="100" aria-valuenow="100" aria-label="Use arrow keys to adjust volume" role="slider"> <div class="audio-player__volume__fill"> <span class="audio-player__thumb"></span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </header> <hr class="divider"/>   <div class="grid grid--sidebar-right grid--divider"> <div class="order-2 order-1--lg module__main"> <div class="narrow margin-x-auto margin-y-5"> <div class="accordion margin-bottom-5">  <button class="accordion__button" id="acc-button-key-concepts" data-accordion="button" aria-controls="acc-panel-key-concepts" aria-expanded="true" tabindex="0"> Did you know? </button> <div class="accordion__panel shown show" id="acc-panel-key-concepts" data-accordion="panel" aria-labelledby="acc-button-key-concepts" role="region"> <div class="accordion__panel__content"> <p>Did you know the Earth’s ecosystems rely on the species that inhabit them for their sustained health? It’s a bit like the relationship between a bicycle and its individual parts. Certain pieces of the bicycle can be removed without great effect. However, removing more critical components, like the bicycle's brakes, can result in dire consequences. So, what happens when a crucial species is removed from its ecosystem?</p> </div> </div>  <button class="accordion__button" id="acc-button-table-of-contents" data-accordion="button" aria-controls="acc-panel-table-of-contents" aria-expanded="false" tabindex="0"> Key concepts </button> <div class="accordion__panel" id="acc-panel-table-of-contents" data-accordion="panel" aria-labelledby="acc-button-table-of-contents" role="region" aria-hidden="true"> <div class="accordion__panel__content"> <ul class="bulleted"> <li><p>All animals alter their habitats to some degree, but humans are especially adept at changing ecosystems to meet their needs.</p></li> <li><p>Global assessments have revealed that human changes to the environment impact biodiversity at all geographic scales.</p></li> <li><p>Geographic fragmentation and introduced species alter ecosystems and usually reduce biodiversity. </p></li> <li><p>Managing biodiversity requires extensive international stewardship and cooperation, given our globally interconnected world.</p></li> </ul> </div> </div>  <button class="accordion__button" id="acc-button-terms-you-should-know" data-accordion="button" aria-controls="acc-panel-terms-you-should-know" aria-expanded="false" tabindex="0"> Terms you should know </button> <div class="accordion__panel" id="acc-panel-terms-you-should-know" data-accordion="panel" aria-labelledby="acc-button-terms-you-should-know" role="region" aria-hidden="true"> <div class="accordion__panel__content"> <dl> <dt><a href="/en/glossary/view/biodiversity">Biodiversity </a></dt> <dd> The variety and abundance of life in the world, a particular habitat, or ecosystem </dd> <dt><a href="/en/glossary/view/species">Species </a></dt> <dd> A group of organisms capable of interbreeding and produce offspring that are also capable of reproducing </dd> <dt><a href="/en/glossary/view/ecosystem">Ecosystem </a></dt> <dd> The complex of a community of organisms and its environment, functioning as a unit </dd> <dt><a href="/en/glossary/view/habitat">Habitat </a></dt> <dd> The place or type of environment where a plant, animal, or other organism naturally lives or grows</dd> </dl> </div> </div> </div> <hr class="border-color-dark" /> <section> <div class="container narrow"> <blockquote class="blockquote-hanging"> <p>Biodiversity is the totality of all inherited variation in the life forms of Earth, of which we are one species. We study and save it to our great benefit. We ignore and degrade it to our great peril.</p> <footer> <cite> American biologist <strong>E.O. Wilson</strong> Harvard University (E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation, 2014) </cite> </footer> </blockquote> <div class="figure"> <figure> <button class="lightbox-button lightbox-button--icon" data-lightbox=""> <img src="/img/library/modules/mid281/Image/VLObject-12545-22082202085008.jpg" alt="Figure 1: How is Earth like a bicycle?" /> </button> <figcaption> <p><strong>Figure 1:</strong> How is Earth like a bicycle?</p> <span class="credit">image ©Public Domain</span> </figcaption> </figure> </div> <p>Imagine you’re about to set off on a bike ride. Your bike has the usual parts – wheels, handlebars, pedals, frame, and all the little screws and bolts holding it together (Figure 1). If you were asked to give up one piece of the bike, which one would you choose? Maybe the basket at the front? It would still be rideable. What if you had to remove 10 parts? In deciding which pieces to remove and whether it’s safe to ride it afterward, you’ll weigh the importance of each part to the bike’s overall function. </p> <p><mark id="ngss-135" class="ngss">Scientists are grappling with similar questions about <mark class="term" data-term="ecosystem" data-term-def="The complex of a community of organisms and its environment, functioning as a unit." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/ecosystem/2174">ecosystems</mark>. In 1981, American scientist duo Paul and Anne Ehrlich equated <mark class="term" data-term="extinction" data-term-def="The complete and permanent loss of all individuals of a species of organism." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/extinction/5615">extinctions</mark> with losing rivets from an airplane wing and having to evaluate whether it could still fly, much like the bike example above. (Ehrlich and Ehrlich, 1981). The Ehrlichs’ “rivet-popper” <mark class="term" data-term="hypothesis" data-term-def="From the Greek word <em>hypothesis</em> meaning assumption or the basis of an argument, a hypothesis is a proposal intended to explain&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/hypothesis/3727">hypothesis</mark> suggests that it’s not wise to lose <mark class="term" data-term="species" data-term-def="1. In biological classifications, it is the lowest and most basic unit of the Linnaean taxonomic hierarchy (although it is also&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/species/893">species</mark> because each one may play an ecosystem role. Through the many species they contain, ecosystems provide essential services to human societies, such as food provision, <mark class="term" data-term="nutrient" data-term-def="A chemical substance (e.g., minerals, vitamins, proteins) that is needed by an organism to survive and grow. See also: macronutrient and micronutrient." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/nutrient/7058">nutrient</mark> cycling, and water purification (See our <a href="https://www.visionlearning.com/en/library/Biology/2/Environmental-Services-and-Economics/279">Environmental Services and Economics</a> module).</mark> Are certain species more crucial than others?</p> <p><section id="toc_1" class=""> <h2>Habitat modifications</h2></p> <p>“But the Anthropocene isn’t a novel phenomenon of the last few centuries. Already tens of thousands of years ago, when our Stone Age ancestors <mark class="term" data-term="spread" data-term-def="The variation within a dataset; the measure of how much individual values in a dataset differ from the mean, or average." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/spread/8761">spread</mark> from East Africa to the four corners of the earth, they changed the flora and fauna of every continent and island on which they settled - all before they planted the first wheat field, shaped the first metal tool, wrote the first text or struck the first coin.”</p> <p style="text-align: right;">- Historian Yuval Noah Harari, Hebrew University of Jerusalem</p> <p><mark id="ngss-136" class="ngss">People have been modifying the <mark class="term" data-term="habitat" data-term-def="The place or type of environment where a wild plant, animal, or other organism naturally lives or grows." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/habitat/5593">habitats</mark> they inhabit for thousands of years. Archaeological and paleoecological <mark class="term" data-term="evidence" data-term-def="Support for an idea, opinion, or hypothesis." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/evidence/8243">evidence</mark> shows that by 12,000 years ago, humans lived on almost three quarters of land on Earth, and by 10,000 years ago they were using land-altering practices such as burning, hunting, farming, and domestication of animals (Ellis at al. 2021). Today, we associate human use of natural areas with degradation and <mark class="term" data-term="extinction" data-term-def="The complete and permanent loss of all individuals of a species of organism." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/extinction/5615">extinction</mark> of <mark class="term" data-term="species" data-term-def="1. In biological classifications, it is the lowest and most basic unit of the Linnaean taxonomic hierarchy (although it is also&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/species/893">species</mark>.</mark> But that was not always the case.</p> <p>Hunter-gatherers and early farmers, through lower intensity subsistence practices, in some cases had <mark class="term" data-term="neutral" data-term-def="Generally defined as neither one thing nor another. 1. Electrically neutral refers to having no net electrical charge, usually achieved&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/neutral/855">neutral</mark> or positive impacts on <mark class="term" data-term="biodiversity" data-term-def="The variety and abundance of life and its ecological context, including the different kinds of organisms, the numbers of species, the&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/biodiversity/875">biodiversity</mark>. Forest gardens, multiple crops, nomadic <mark class="term" data-term="population" data-term-def="In biology, the population is all individuals of a certain kind of plant or animal that live in a particular habitat.&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/population/8283">populations</mark>, and field rotations from fallow to cultivated made for diverse <mark class="term" data-term="landscape" data-term-def="The natural scenery of a region; a collection of landforms in an area." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/landscape/8559">landscapes</mark> with high biodiversity. <mark id="ngss-137" class="ngss">A study (Armstrong 2021) of forest gardens in British Columbia, which were cleared and cultivated by Indigenous communities until two centuries ago, revealed that they still have more diverse plants and animals than the conifer forests around them. Cultural stewardship practices of native inhabitants, including planting edible species like hazelnuts, cranberry, and wild ginger, made for more ecologically complex and diverse habitats</mark> (See our <a href="https://www.visionlearning.com/en/library/Biology/2/Biodiversity-I/276">Biodiversity I: Patterns</a> module).</p> <p>Today, higher human densities on Earth and more intensive practices such as industrial agriculture and global supply chains, have tipped the <mark class="term" data-term="scale" data-term-def="An instrument for measuring heat energy or weight in which units are marked at intervals; a system for quantifying heat energy&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/scale/8536">scales</mark> towards negative impacts of humans on biodiversity. </p> <div class="figure"> <figure> <button class="lightbox-button lightbox-button--icon" data-lightbox=""> <img src="/img/library/modules/mid281/Image/VLObject-12548-22082203080250.jpg" alt="Figure 2: Recent photos of urban areas." /> </button> <figcaption> <p><strong>Figure 2:</strong> Recent photos of urban areas.</p> <span class="credit">image ©<a href="https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Calgary_Montage_2020.1.jpg"> CC BY-SA 3.0 Allice Hunter</a> </span> </figcaption> </figure> </div> <p>In the photos above (Figure 2), what <mark class="term" data-term="evidence" data-term-def="Support for an idea, opinion, or hypothesis." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/evidence/8243">evidence</mark> can you find of how humans have changed their environments? Your list may get pretty long. What other changes do humans make to natural <mark class="term" data-term="landscape" data-term-def="The natural scenery of a region; a collection of landforms in an area." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/landscape/8559">landscapes</mark> as we live, <mark class="term" data-term="work" data-term-def="A process that occurs when a force acts over a distance, as when an object is moved. Work equals the multiple&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/work/1502">work</mark>, and play in them?</p> <p><mark id="ngss-138" class="ngss">All animals modify their <mark class="term" data-term="habitat" data-term-def="The place or type of environment where a wild plant, animal, or other organism naturally lives or grows." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/habitat/5593">habitats</mark> to some <mark class="term" data-term="degree" data-term-def="[<strong>temperature</strong>] One graduated unit of measure on a Fahrenheit or Celsius temperature scale. On the Kelvin scale, graduations are called Kelvins. <br> <br> [<strong>geometry</strong>]&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/degree/8535">degree</mark> as they nest, find food, or otherwise use resources. Humans are exceptional at altering <mark class="term" data-term="habitat" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/habitat" data-term-def="The place or type of environment where a wild plant, animal, or other organism naturally lives or grows.">habitats</mark> to meet our needs for shelter and food, plus distinctly human needs like entertainment. As a result, nearly every habitat in the world has been altered by people. A recent global assessment estimated that 75% of <mark class="term" data-term="terrestrial" data-term-def="In Environmental Science: related to, located on, or living on land. Not aquatic. <br> <br> In Astronomy: related to or occurring on Earth. Not&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/terrestrial/5618">terrestrial</mark> and 66% of marine <mark class="term" data-term="environment" data-term-def="The conditions that surround and affect an organism." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/environment/8270">environments</mark> have been significantly altered by humans (IPBES 2019).</mark> <em>Why do these changes matter? </em></p> <p>In subsistence economies, such as those of Indigenous Peoples, humans and <mark class="term" data-term="biodiversity" data-term-def="The variety and abundance of life and its ecological context, including the different kinds of organisms, the numbers of species, the&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/biodiversity/875">biodiversity</mark> were largely compatible. In global market economies supplying <mark class="term" data-term="dense" data-term-def="Compact, packed close together; having a high mass in relation to volume." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/dense/8273">dense</mark> human <mark class="term" data-term="population" data-term-def="In biology, the population is all individuals of a certain kind of plant or animal that live in a particular habitat.&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/population/8283">populations</mark>, they’re not (Otero et al. 2020). For example, <mark id="ngss-139" class="ngss">more than 85% of global wetlands have now been converted to other, lower-biodiversity uses. Just as a bicycle with missing parts may not function as well, <mark class="term" data-term="ecosystem" data-term-def="The complex of a community of organisms and its environment, functioning as a unit." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/ecosystem/2174">ecosystems</mark> with lower biodiversity <mark class="term" data-term="mean" data-term-def="In statistics, mean commonly refers to the arithmetic mean, also called the average, which is one measure of the mid-point of&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/mean/4221">mean</mark> worse function. As habitat is lost, you’ll find fewer large animals, disrupted interactions between <mark class="term" data-term="species" data-term-def="1. In biological classifications, it is the lowest and most basic unit of the Linnaean taxonomic hierarchy (although it is also&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/species/893">species</mark>, lower <mark class="term" data-term="breeding" data-term-def="The production of offspring; the propagation of plants or animals by sexual means." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/breeding/8291">breeding</mark> success, and myriad other changes. As human populations continue to grow and consume resources, other species are increasingly deprived of resources and nudged towards <mark class="term" data-term="extinction" data-term-def="The complete and permanent loss of all individuals of a species of organism." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/extinction/5615">extinction</mark>.</mark></p> <div class="comprehension-checkpoint margin-y-4"> <h6 class="comprehension-checkpoint__header"> <span> <span class="icon icon-question"></span> </span> Comprehension Checkpoint </h6> <form class="" name="cc12550"> <div class="form-entry"> <div class="form-entry__field"> <span class="form-entry__field__label">Humans and biodiversity can never coexist.</span> <div class="form-entry__option"> <div class="form-entry__option__radio" data-answer="incorrect"> <label> <input id="q1-12550-0-option-a" name="quiz-option-12550" type="radio" value="True" > <span class="option__label"> <span class="screen-reader-only">a.</span> True </span> </label> <span class="quiz__response" id="response-12550-0"> <strong>Incorrect.</strong> </span> </div> <div class="form-entry__option__radio" data-answer="correct"> <label> <input id="q1-12550-1-option-b" name="quiz-option-12550" type="radio" value="False" > <span class="option__label"> <span class="screen-reader-only">b.</span> False </span> </label> <span class="quiz__response" id="response-12550-1"> <strong>Correct!</strong> </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </form> </div> </section> <section id="toc2_1"><h3>Fragmentation</h3> <div class="figure"> <figure> <button class="lightbox-button lightbox-button--icon" data-lightbox=""> <img src="/img/library/modules/mid281/Image/VLObject-12552-22082203081947.jpg" alt="Figure 3: Land near Rio Branco, Acre, Brazil." /> </button> <figcaption> <p><strong>Figure 3:</strong> Land near Rio Branco, Acre, Brazil.</p> <span class="credit">image ©<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/cifor/35834084766"> CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 CIFOR</a> </span> </figcaption> </figure> </div> <p>What features break up the forest in this landscape? (Figure 3)</p> <p>Conversion of natural <mark class="term" data-term="habitat" data-term-def="The place or type of environment where a wild plant, animal, or other organism naturally lives or grows." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/habitat/5593">habitats</mark> to human uses breaks up <mark class="term" data-term="ecosystem" data-term-def="The complex of a community of organisms and its environment, functioning as a unit." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/ecosystem/2174">ecosystems</mark> into patches of habitat, often separated by man-made barriers. <mark id="ngss-140" class="ngss">Small land conversions of land may promote <mark class="term" data-term="biodiversity" data-term-def="The variety and abundance of life and its ecological context, including the different kinds of organisms, the numbers of species, the&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/biodiversity/875">biodiversity</mark> by creating more diverse habitat conditions. For example, in northernmost Patagonia, the monkey-puzzle tree (<em>Araucaria araucana</em>) was planted and maintained through localized burns to clear areas around it by Native Peoples. With the elimination of these controlled fires and the advent of large farming from Euro-American settlement, monkey puzzle trees are now endangered</mark> (Nanavati at al. 2022).</p> <p><mark id="ngss-141" class="ngss">Large-scale land conversions, leaving small patches, support less biodiversity since some <mark class="term" data-term="organism" data-term-def="Any connected living system, such as an animal, plant, fungus, or bacterium. Organisms may be composed of a single cell or&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/organism/2171">organisms</mark> lack sufficient habitat and others cannot freely move as needed because of roads, parking lots, or other man-made barriers. Animals with big home ranges such as lions and other top predators, don’t do well in small patches without enough prey to sustain a large enough <mark class="term" data-term="population" data-term-def="In biology, the population is all individuals of a certain kind of plant or animal that live in a particular habitat.&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/population/8283">population</mark> (Lawrence and Fraser 2020). Norwegian ecologist John D. Linnell calculated home range sizes for Eurasian lynxes and found that protected areas in Scandinavia are mostly too small to support them. The <mark class="term" data-term="outcome" data-term-def="Result." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/outcome/8247">outcome</mark> is that lynxes are preying on sheep in semi-natural forest areas, thereby affecting people’s livelihoods (Linnell at al. 2001). In contrast, organisms with broader habitat tolerances, such as pigeons, raccoons, or dingoes, may actually thrive in patches, therefore persisting in urban areas (Andrén et al. 1985).</mark></p> <p>Consider how you’d define your home range and what sorts of resources you depend on locally. What do you do when the resources you need are not available? </p></section> <section id="toc2_2"><h3>Introduced species</h3><p><mark id="ngss-142" class="ngss">Species that are not native to a particular <mark class="term" data-term="ecosystem" data-term-def="The complex of a community of organisms and its environment, functioning as a unit." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/ecosystem/2174">ecosystem</mark> colonize <mark class="term" data-term="habitat" data-term-def="The place or type of environment where a wild plant, animal, or other organism naturally lives or grows." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/habitat/5593">habitats</mark> all over the world. Pet Burmese pythons escaped into the Florida Everglades; American gray squirrels were deliberately released in Britain, and the emerald ash borer beetle reached the U.S. in cargo containers from Asia. These introduced <mark class="term" data-term="species" data-term-def="1. In biological classifications, it is the lowest and most basic unit of the Linnaean taxonomic hierarchy (although it is also&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/species/893">species</mark>, no longer contained by their predators or <mark class="term" data-term="parasite" data-term-def="An organism that lives on or in a host organism of another species. Parasites derive their food from and are detrimental&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/parasite/5272">parasites</mark>, often outcompete native ones for resources. Introduced species may become invasive, thriving in their new habitat free of restricting factors like specific predators or limited food supplies. Rabbits, for example, after deliberate introduction to Australia in the 1800s, became prolific and continue to damage livestock and natural <mark class="term" data-term="habitat" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/habitat" data-term-def="The place or type of environment where a wild plant, animal, or other organism naturally lives or grows.">habitats</mark>, despite various <mark class="term" data-term="control" data-term-def="In science, a control is a system for which the expected change or outcome is well known and is measured or&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/control/3801">control</mark> efforts.</mark></p> <p><mark id="ngss-143" class="ngss">Introduced species can have particularly stark impacts on the native species of islands. For example, the <mark class="term" data-term="biodiversity" data-term-def="The variety and abundance of life and its ecological context, including the different kinds of organisms, the numbers of species, the&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/biodiversity/875">biodiversity</mark> of the Hawaiian Islands changed dramatically after repeated arrivals by humans. First, Polynesians came, bringing pigs and rats to the islands. Then, cats were introduced by European explorers and colonists. The two <mark class="term" data-term="waves" data-term-def="The motion of rising and falling in curves; undulation." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/waves/8274">waves</mark> of new predators fed on the eggs and hatchlings of ground-nesting birds such as geese. Before the introductions, Hawaii had at least seven species of native geese, of which only the nēnē, or Hawaiian goose (<em>Branta sandvicensis</em>), survives today. With no way to escape, the other six “moa-nalos” (vanished fowl) were driven to <mark class="term" data-term="extinction" data-term-def="The complete and permanent loss of all individuals of a species of organism." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/extinction/5615">extinction</mark> by the introduced predators they were not adapted to avoid</mark> (National Park Service 2021).</p> <p>The problems with introduced species are not limited to <mark class="term" data-term="terrestrial" data-term-def="In Environmental Science: related to, located on, or living on land. Not aquatic. <br> <br> In Astronomy: related to or occurring on Earth. Not&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/terrestrial/5618">terrestrial</mark> habitats. In this diagram of invasions of nonnative marine species into other waters, what trends do you notice?</p> <div class="figure"> <figure> <button class="lightbox-button lightbox-button--icon" data-lightbox=""> <img src="/img/library/modules/mid281/Image/VLObject-12555-22082203082715.jpeg" alt="Figure 4: Major pathways of invasive species in the marine environment." /> </button> <figcaption> <p><strong>Figure 4:</strong> Major pathways of invasive species in the marine environment.</p> <span class="credit">image ©<a href="https://www.grida.no/resources/7191"> CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 Hugo Ahlenius, UNEP/GRID-Arendal</a> </span> </figcaption> </figure> </div> <p><mark id="ngss-144" class="ngss">Invasive marine <mark class="term" data-term="species" data-term-def="1. In biological classifications, it is the lowest and most basic unit of the Linnaean taxonomic hierarchy (although it is also&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/species/893">species</mark> are often introduced via shipping routes (Figure 4). The largest <mark class="term" data-term="concentration" data-term-def="The amount of one substance in relation to other components within a given area." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/concentration/8733">concentration</mark> of introduced species is between Africa and Asia, along the major shipping corridor called the European-Asian sea route. As humans began to travel around the world, we transported other species around, often unintentionally. Commercial shipping is implicated in an estimated 44-78% of invasions by non-native species into North American waters that either cling to ships’ hulls or ride in ballast water (stored in the hull; Elçiçek et al. 2013).</mark></p> <p><mark id="ngss-145" class="ngss">A study by Canadian marine biologist Jesica Goldsmit and colleagues assessed ecological risk based on ships discharging their ballast water at ports in the Canadian Arctic. They tallied up total ballast water discharged per year per port. They focused on three invasive species: the periwinkle snail Littorina littorea, soft shell clam <em>Mya arenaria</em>, and red king crab Paralithodes camtschaticus. Given shipping routes and ballast water discharges, they found that the risk of introduction of these invasives was higher for domestic ships operating within Canadian waters because they weren’t <mark class="term" data-term="subject" data-term-def="A person or animal used in a research study." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/subject/8252">subject</mark> to ballast water inspections and reporting</mark> (Goldsmit et al. 2019).  </p> <p><mark id="ngss-146" class="ngss">While not all introduced species become invasive, the overall result of introduced species tends to be lower <mark class="term" data-term="biodiversity" data-term-def="The variety and abundance of life and its ecological context, including the different kinds of organisms, the numbers of species, the&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/biodiversity/875">biodiversity</mark>. However, some introduced species become valuable to humans, such as earthworms in cropland <mark class="term" data-term="soil" data-term-def="The loose top layer of Earth’s surface where plants grow, made up of particles of rocks, minerals, and organic material." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/soil/8563">soils</mark> that are mostly non-native species from Europe; the honeybees brought to the New World by English settlers; or the cattle introduced by Spaniards. The diversity of species in every part of Earth has changed dramatically over time and will continue to do so.</mark> </p> <div class="comprehension-checkpoint margin-y-4"> <h6 class="comprehension-checkpoint__header"> <span> <span class="icon icon-question"></span> </span> Comprehension Checkpoint </h6> <form class="" name="cc12557"> <div class="form-entry"> <div class="form-entry__field"> <span class="form-entry__field__label">Introduced predators have particularly severe impacts on islands because ______.</span> <div class="form-entry__option"> <div class="form-entry__option__radio" data-answer="correct"> <label> <input id="q1-12557-0-option-a" name="quiz-option-12557" type="radio" value="Prey are trapped on islands unless they swim." > <span class="option__label"> <span class="screen-reader-only">a.</span> Prey are trapped on islands unless they swim. </span> </label> <span class="quiz__response" id="response-12557-0"> <strong>Correct!</strong> </span> </div> <div class="form-entry__option__radio" data-answer="incorrect"> <label> <input id="q1-12557-1-option-b" name="quiz-option-12557" type="radio" value="Prey have adapted in the absence of predators." > <span class="option__label"> <span class="screen-reader-only">b.</span> Prey have adapted in the absence of predators. </span> </label> <span class="quiz__response" id="response-12557-1"> <strong>Incorrect.</strong> </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </form> </div> </section> <section id="toc_2"> <h2>Global changes and biodiversity</h2><p>“A <mark class="term" data-term="species" data-term-def="1. In biological classifications, it is the lowest and most basic unit of the Linnaean taxonomic hierarchy (although it is also&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/species/893">species</mark> is there, and it's abundant for quite a long <mark class="term" data-term="period" data-term-def="A row of elements in the periodic table." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/period/8565">period</mark> of time, and then at some point it's no longer there - and so, when you look at that bigger picture, yes, you realize that either you change and adapt, or, as a species, you go <mark class="term" data-term="extinction" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/extinction" data-term-def="The complete and permanent loss of all individuals of a species of organism.">extinct</mark>.”</p> <p style="text-align: right;">- Kenyan paleontologist Louise Leakey, National Geographic Explorer in Residence (National Public Radio 2014).</p><p><mark id="ngss-147" class="ngss">Global change has shaped <mark class="term" data-term="biodiversity" data-term-def="The variety and abundance of life and its ecological context, including the different kinds of organisms, the numbers of species, the&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/biodiversity/875">biodiversity</mark> since the beginning of life on Earth. Before humans, there were five <mark class="term" data-term="mass" data-term-def="A fundamental property of matter which is a numerical measure of the inertia of an object or the amount of matter&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/mass/3417">mass</mark> <mark class="term" data-term="extinction" data-term-def="The complete and permanent loss of all individuals of a species of organism." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/extinction/5615">extinctions</mark>, <mark class="term" data-term="period" data-term-def="A row of elements in the periodic table." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/period/8565">periods</mark> when biodiversity plummeted. Each mass extinction was caused by a combination of global changes, including shifts in <mark class="term" data-term="climate" data-term-def="Climate describes the average and patterns of a particular area’s weather over time. Climate includes such elements as temperature, precipitation, humidity,&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/climate/9334">climate</mark>, huge volcanic events, ocean <mark class="term" data-term="current" data-term-def="a flow, as of electricity or water. In oceanography and hydrology, a channel of water that flows together at the same velocity" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/current/8278">current</mark> flows, and/or changes in atmospheric gases (see our <a href="https://www.visionlearning.com/en/library/Earth-Science/6/Factors-that-Control-Regional-Climate/255">Factors that <mark class="term" data-term="control" data-term-def="In science, a control is a system for which the expected change or outcome is well known and is measured or&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/control/3801">Control</mark> Regional Climate</a> module). These suites of related changes led to drastic shifts in climate and <mark class="term" data-term="habitat" data-term-def="The place or type of environment where a wild plant, animal, or other organism naturally lives or grows." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/habitat/5593">habitats</mark> all over the world.</mark> Of course, life on Earth marched on after these mass extinctions, but many <mark class="term" data-term="species" data-term-def="1. In biological classifications, it is the lowest and most basic unit of the Linnaean taxonomic hierarchy (although it is also&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/species/893">species</mark> were lost forever, and new species emerged to take their place. For example, the mass extinction that included the loss of nearly all the dinosaurs was what paved the way for the diversification and dominance of the mammals.</p> <p>What are some global changes occurring across Earth today?</p> <p>Scientists concur that we’re in the midst of the <em>sixth</em> mass extinction on Earth, the first one caused by humans. <mark id="ngss-148" class="ngss">The drastic changes on our planet stem from the human tendency and ability to alter our surroundings in almost every conceivable way, including water flow, temperature, <mark class="term" data-term="nutrient" data-term-def="A chemical substance (e.g., minerals, vitamins, proteins) that is needed by an organism to survive and grow. See also: macronutrient and micronutrient." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/nutrient/7058">nutrient</mark> cycles, forest cover, variety of plants and animals, and even the global climate. Some alterations benefit other species, but at the <mark class="term" data-term="scale" data-term-def="An instrument for measuring heat energy or weight in which units are marked at intervals; a system for quantifying heat energy&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/scale/8536">scale</mark> and intensity of today’s land use practices, most do not.</mark></p></section> <section id="toc2_3"><h3>Climate change</h3><p>“Many indigenous communities rely on nature for everything – from food and water to their livelihoods and culture. Because of this intimate relationship with nature, we are the first ones to feel the impact of the <mark class="term" data-term="climate" data-term-def="Climate describes the average and patterns of a particular area’s weather over time. Climate includes such elements as temperature, precipitation, humidity,&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/climate/9334">climate</mark> crisis.”</p> <p style="text-align: right;">- Indigenous Kichwa <mark class="term" data-term="biodiversity" data-term-def="The variety and abundance of life and its ecological context, including the different kinds of organisms, the numbers of species, the&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/biodiversity/875">biodiversity</mark> researcher Johnson Cerda, 2020, Senior Director at <mark class="term" data-term="conservation" data-term-def="Careful use of natural resources to minimize waste or damage to the natural world and to maintain natural resources for long-term&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/conservation/5592">Conservation</mark> International. </p> <p><mark id="ngss-149" class="ngss">Climate change affects <mark class="term" data-term="ecosystem" data-term-def="The complex of a community of organisms and its environment, functioning as a unit." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/ecosystem/2174">ecosystem</mark> conditions at all <mark class="term" data-term="scale" data-term-def="An instrument for measuring heat energy or weight in which units are marked at intervals; a system for quantifying heat energy&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/scale/8536">scales</mark> - from local rainfall patterns to global ocean <mark class="term" data-term="current" data-term-def="a flow, as of electricity or water. In oceanography and hydrology, a channel of water that flows together at the same velocity" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/current/8278">currents</mark>.</mark> Changing conditions make <mark class="term" data-term="habitat" data-term-def="The place or type of environment where a wild plant, animal, or other organism naturally lives or grows." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/habitat/5593">habitats</mark> more or less hospitable to humans and the other <mark class="term" data-term="species" data-term-def="1. In biological classifications, it is the lowest and most basic unit of the Linnaean taxonomic hierarchy (although it is also&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/species/893">species</mark> that rely on them. Indigenous Peoples, given their physical and spiritual connections to their <mark class="term" data-term="landscape" data-term-def="The natural scenery of a region; a collection of landforms in an area." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/landscape/8559">landscapes</mark> coupled with lower capacity to relocate, are disproportionately impacted by climate change. For example, as <mark class="term" data-term="precipitation" data-term-def="Water that falls from the atmosphere to the ground in any form, such as rain, snow, hail, or sleet." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/precipitation/8562">precipitation</mark> decreases, the Western Apache Peoples encounter less robust deer and elk <mark class="term" data-term="population" data-term-def="In biology, the population is all individuals of a certain kind of plant or animal that live in a particular habitat.&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/population/8283">populations</mark>, low river levels for fishing, and scarcer water for subsistence farming (Gauer et al. 2021).</p> <p>Scientists such as Italian biologist Michela Pacifici have come up with ways to assess the resilience of other species to climate changes - what range of temperatures they can tolerate, what they feed on, how fast they reproduce, and how common they are. All animals have upper <mark class="term" data-term="thermal" data-term-def="Relating to heat." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/thermal/8682">thermal</mark> limits – maximum temperatures that they can tolerate. Pandas get heat-stressed in temperatures above 25˚C (77˚F; Yuxiang Fei et al. 2016), whereas some Andean iguanas can tolerate temperatures up to 40˚C (104˚F). (Guerra-Correa, 2020). <mark id="ngss-150" class="ngss">Based on nearly 100 studies of plant and animal tolerances to environmental extremes, Pacifici mapped out the species most vulnerable to climate change (Pacifici et al. 2015).</mark></p> <p>In Pacifici’s map (Figure 5), where do you see <mark class="term" data-term="concentration" data-term-def="The amount of one substance in relation to other components within a given area." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/concentration/8733">concentrations</mark> of vulnerable species? Why there?  </p> <div class="figure"> <figure> <button class="lightbox-button lightbox-button--icon" data-lightbox=""> <img src="/img/library/modules/mid281/Image/VLObject-12561-22082203084325.png" alt="Figure 5: Ecoregional global concentrations of terrestrial and marine climate change vulnerable species." /> </button> <figcaption> <p><strong>Figure 5:</strong> Ecoregional global concentrations of terrestrial and marine climate change vulnerable species.</p> <span class="credit">image ©<a href="https://www.taramartin.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Pacifici-et-al-NCC-2015.pdf"> Pacifici et al. 2015</a> </span> </figcaption> </figure> </div> <p>Note that vulnerable <mark class="term" data-term="species" data-term-def="1. In biological classifications, it is the lowest and most basic unit of the Linnaean taxonomic hierarchy (although it is also&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/species/893">species</mark> are concentrated in the Poles, where ice is melting, and in areas near the equator, such as the Amazon, where fires are becoming more frequent. <mark id="ngss-151" class="ngss">As conditions shift outside of livable ranges, <mark class="term" data-term="organism" data-term-def="Any connected living system, such as an animal, plant, fungus, or bacterium. Organisms may be composed of a single cell or&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/organism/2171">organisms</mark> either move, adapt, or die, depending on their resilience to change and their ability to migrate.</mark> Thinking about how humans handle environmental changes, to what extent do the biological <mark class="term" data-term="outcome" data-term-def="Result." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/outcome/8247">outcomes</mark> - move, adapt, or die - apply? </p></section> <section id="toc2_4"><h3>Moving to better habitat</h3><p>“Expected anthropogenic <mark class="term" data-term="climate" data-term-def="Climate describes the average and patterns of a particular area’s weather over time. Climate includes such elements as temperature, precipitation, humidity,&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/climate/9334">climate</mark> change will redistribute the locations where specific climatic conditions favorable to the survival of a <mark class="term" data-term="species" data-term-def="1. In biological classifications, it is the lowest and most basic unit of the Linnaean taxonomic hierarchy (although it is also&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/species/893">species</mark> will occur.”</p> <p style="text-align: right;">- American ecologist Osvaldo E. Sala, Arizona State University </p> <p><mark id="ngss-152" class="ngss">Scientists that map <mark class="term" data-term="biodiversity" data-term-def="The variety and abundance of life and its ecological context, including the different kinds of organisms, the numbers of species, the&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/biodiversity/875">biodiversity</mark> by tracking the ranges of various species see <mark class="term" data-term="evidence" data-term-def="Support for an idea, opinion, or hypothesis." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/evidence/8243">evidence</mark> that many are migrating in response to climate change. Tasmanian ecologist Gretta Pecl estimates that at least a quarter of life on Earth, and possibly much more, is in the <mark class="term" data-term="process" data-term-def="Method, procedure; series of actions or steps." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/process/8256">process</mark> of relocating. For example, her <mark class="term" data-term="work" data-term-def="A process that occurs when a force acts over a distance, as when an object is moved. Work equals the multiple&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/work/1502">work</mark> shows how ocean animals like snappers, rays, and sea urchins are moving towards the South Pole as oceans warm along Tasmania’s coast. The shifts disrupt thousands of years of cultural practice by indigenous ice-fishing peoples of the region. Climate change affects not only ocean wildlife, but also the people who depend on it.</mark> </p> <p><mark id="ngss-153" class="ngss">Animals migrating in response to climate change also face novel situations and threats. For example, North Atlantic Right whales have shifted their feeding routes northward in response to warming temperatures in the Gulf of Maine. In their new Gulf of St. Lawrence <mark class="term" data-term="habitat" data-term-def="The place or type of environment where a wild plant, animal, or other organism naturally lives or grows." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/habitat/5593">habitat</mark>, these whale <mark class="term" data-term="population" data-term-def="In biology, the population is all individuals of a certain kind of plant or animal that live in a particular habitat.&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/population/8283">populations</mark> suffer increased ship strikes and fishing gear entanglements.</mark> As new management plans are drafted to protect the whales, Canadian fishermen will suffer restrictions such as seasonal closures of St. Lawrence fishing areas (Meyer-Gutbrod et al. 2021).</p> <div class="comprehension-checkpoint margin-y-4"> <h6 class="comprehension-checkpoint__header"> <span> <span class="icon icon-question"></span> </span> Comprehension Checkpoint </h6> <form class="" name="cc12564"> <div class="form-entry"> <div class="form-entry__field"> <span class="form-entry__field__label">Which parts of Earth are most vulnerable to climate change?</span> <div class="form-entry__option"> <div class="form-entry__option__radio" data-answer="incorrect"> <label> <input id="q1-12564-0-option-a" name="quiz-option-12564" type="radio" value="Temperature areas" > <span class="option__label"> <span class="screen-reader-only">a.</span> Temperature areas </span> </label> <span class="quiz__response" id="response-12564-0"> <strong>Incorrect.</strong> </span> </div> <div class="form-entry__option__radio" data-answer="correct"> <label> <input id="q1-12564-1-option-b" name="quiz-option-12564" type="radio" value="Poles and tropics" > <span class="option__label"> <span class="screen-reader-only">b.</span> Poles and tropics </span> </label> <span class="quiz__response" id="response-12564-1"> <strong>Correct!</strong> </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </form> </div> </section> <section id="toc2_5"><h3>Adapting to changing habits</h3><p>When conditions change, animals may or may not have the capacity to adapt. What choices does this Arctic fox have (shown here in its winter fur) as warming weather with less snow cover increasingly changes its winter <mark class="term" data-term="habitat" data-term-def="The place or type of environment where a wild plant, animal, or other organism naturally lives or grows." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/habitat/5593">habitat</mark> to shades of brown and green? </p> <div class="figure"> <figure> <button class="lightbox-button lightbox-button--icon" data-lightbox=""> <img src="/img/library/modules/mid281/Image/VLObject-12566-22082203084842.jpg" alt="Figure 6: Arctic Fox" /> </button> <figcaption> <p><strong>Figure 6:</strong> Arctic Fox</p> <span class="credit">image ©<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ekilby/15844331792/in/photolist-q97kQm-bssKXk-ef5pxr-rFq5nx-dtHZJU-DtQX6F-bssKm8-nGrgsh-DR9DfF-aHpeev-hh2WrW-7J3pKm-ej1MPP-7HYmdt-dYRqJg-qvvdQJ-dYX8t1-6a45aq-nGjTZ3-o6WR2h-nN6cFS-CTD8u5-aHp9E2-h3jGNJ-aHp9aF-aFKk6H-aFM9B4-aFM9MZ-aFKj32-DZvZqp-aHoTmD-dqySMc-dqyStr-fjJe56-dPPhYF-2ms5Jah-eaPLz6-dapL1n-5r8kDy-dq4r5y-dq4rfh-qAvaaN-2mfczZf-9bahtB-2jda8dG-ahTYP5-ahTYV7-2fGuzs-mEKC7E-pk1dy"> CC BY-SA 2.0 Eric Kilby</a> </span> </figcaption> </figure> </div> <p>Arctic foxes respond to seasonal changes by shedding their white winter fur and replacing it with brown fur in the spring. The change is mediated by seasonal changes in sunlight from short winter days to longer summer days. <mark id="ngss-154" class="ngss">Warmer temperatures and less snow, therefore, do not provide the cues to molt to a brown coat any sooner, despite the need for camouflage (Denali Education Center 2022). Along with many other Arctic animals, adapting to <mark class="term" data-term="climate" data-term-def="Climate describes the average and patterns of a particular area’s weather over time. Climate includes such elements as temperature, precipitation, humidity,&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/climate/9334">climate</mark> change will require longer-term <mark class="term" data-term="natural selection" data-term-def="The process whereby characteristics that promote survival and reproduction are passed on to future generations, so these characteristics become more frequent&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/natural+selection/11402">natural selection</mark> for a modified schedule of fur shedding. With climate change occuring at such a rapid pace, it is unclear if the foxes will have enough time to adapt. </mark></p> <p><mark id="ngss-155" class="ngss">When climate conditions change, some <mark class="term" data-term="organism" data-term-def="Any connected living system, such as an animal, plant, fungus, or bacterium. Organisms may be composed of a single cell or&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/organism/2171">organisms</mark> can adapt. American Pikas, with naturally high body temperatures, prefer cooler <mark class="term" data-term="habitat" data-term-def="The place or type of environment where a wild plant, animal, or other organism naturally lives or grows." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/habitat/5593">habitats</mark>. Originally from Asia, pikas <mark class="term" data-term="spread" data-term-def="The variation within a dataset; the measure of how much individual values in a dataset differ from the mean, or average." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/spread/8761">spread</mark> into North America five million years ago when the climate was cooler. Over geologic time, pikas have retreated to high mountains in the western U.S. and Canada. During hot weather, they stay cool by taking refuge in the shade of rock piles. There may come a tipping point when temperatures in the rocks rise beyond what pikas can tolerate, forcing them to migrate or go <mark class="term" data-term="extinction" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/extinction" data-term-def="The complete and permanent loss of all individuals of a species of organism.">extinct</mark>, but for now they appear to be adapting (Smith 2021).</mark></p> <p>Cold-blooded animals (ectotherms), such as insects or lizards, may have an advantage in adapting because of their ability to tolerate more extreme temperatures. Ectotherms rely on outside temperatures to regulate their body temperature, hence their name (ecto = outside; therm = heat). Many have mechanisms to avoid freezing, like natural antifreeze chemicals in their blood. As the climate warms, some insects benefit from higher <mark class="term" data-term="metabolism" data-term-def="A sequence of biochemical reactions in living organisms that converts food into energy used to drive other biological processes. Also, the&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/metabolism/1606">metabolisms</mark> and increased reproduction, which may lead to unpredictable shifts in <mark class="term" data-term="population" data-term-def="In biology, the population is all individuals of a certain kind of plant or animal that live in a particular habitat.&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/population/8283">populations</mark> of pollinators and crop pests (Gérard 2020; Deutsch 2018).</p> <p>Still, the immediate advantages of high temperatures do not ensure long-term gains. Portuguese marine biologist Carolina Madeira used sea snails (<em>Stramonita haemastoma</em>) to examine short versus long-term impacts of temperature in a laboratory setting. She found that the snails could acclimate to higher water temperature over short <mark class="term" data-term="period" data-term-def="A row of elements in the periodic table." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/period/8565">periods</mark>, but grew more slowly from the <mark class="term" data-term="thermal" data-term-def="Relating to heat." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/thermal/8682">thermal</mark> stress. Insects and other ectotherms can usually adapt to natural cyclical variations in global temperatures, but the <mark class="term" data-term="current" data-term-def="a flow, as of electricity or water. In oceanography and hydrology, a channel of water that flows together at the same velocity" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/current/8278">current</mark> temperature increase is occurring on a much faster time <mark class="term" data-term="scale" data-term-def="An instrument for measuring heat energy or weight in which units are marked at intervals; a system for quantifying heat energy&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/scale/8536">scale</mark> (Madeira et al 2018).</p> <p><mark id="ngss-156" class="ngss">Generally, any <mark class="term" data-term="species" data-term-def="1. In biological classifications, it is the lowest and most basic unit of the Linnaean taxonomic hierarchy (although it is also&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/species/893">species</mark> will have a threshold beyond which temperatures are intolerable, forcing individuals to migrate or die. Not all species have the ability to migrate. A study by Colombian biologist Cristian Román Palacios modeled whether animal and plant species could survive climate change by migrating.</mark><mark id="ngss-157" class="ngss"> The <mark class="term" data-term="model" data-term-def="A representation, pattern, or mathematical description that can help scientists replicate a system." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/model/8236">model</mark>, which included over 500 animal and plant species, indicated that if migration is the only option, more than 50% of them face <mark class="term" data-term="extinction" data-term-def="The complete and permanent loss of all individuals of a species of organism." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/extinction/5615">extinction</mark>. But, taking into account <mark class="term" data-term="adaptation" data-term-def="A change that allows an organism to function better in a particular environment." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/adaptation/8284">adaptations</mark> like the pikas finding cooler refuges, the percentage facing extinction is closer to 30% (Román-Palacios and Wiens 2018).</mark> Whether a particular species adapts, migrates, or goes extinct in response to climate shifts will depend on the amount of change in relation to its capacity to adjust its habits or range. </p></section> <section id="toc2_6"><h3>Failing to move or adapt</h3><p>For those <mark class="term" data-term="species" data-term-def="1. In biological classifications, it is the lowest and most basic unit of the Linnaean taxonomic hierarchy (although it is also&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/species/893">species</mark> that do not succeed in adapting or migrating, <mark class="term" data-term="climate" data-term-def="Climate describes the average and patterns of a particular area’s weather over time. Climate includes such elements as temperature, precipitation, humidity,&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/climate/9334">climate</mark> changes and other sustained global changes can be fatal. As climate continues to warm on Earth, <mark class="term" data-term="biodiversity" data-term-def="The variety and abundance of life and its ecological context, including the different kinds of organisms, the numbers of species, the&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/biodiversity/875">biodiversity</mark> is expected to plummet (see our <a href="https://www.visionlearning.com/en/library/Earth-Science/6/Factors-that-Control-Earths-Temperature/234">Factors that <mark class="term" data-term="control" data-term-def="In science, a control is a system for which the expected change or outcome is well known and is measured or&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/control/3801">Control</mark> Earth's Temperature</a> module). For example, American biologist Barry Sinervo estimated that climate change could wipe out 80% of the world’s lizard species by 2080 (Sinervo et al. 2010).</p> <p>As <mark class="term" data-term="habitat" data-term-def="The place or type of environment where a wild plant, animal, or other organism naturally lives or grows." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/habitat/5593">habitats</mark> continue to change globally, we face big questions about how biodiversity will change. Which species can adapt by adapting or moving? Which species will go extinct? As climate warms, we can expect to see increasing disruptions in how <mark class="term" data-term="ecosystem" data-term-def="The complex of a community of organisms and its environment, functioning as a unit." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/ecosystem/2174">ecosystems</mark> function across the globe. The Fourth National Climate Assessment predicts more frequent and severe storms, droughts, <mark class="term" data-term="erosion" data-term-def="The action or process of eroding: wearing away by the action of water, wind, glacial ice, etc." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/erosion/2193">erosion</mark>, and flooding. Each of these disruptions may cause significant changes to biodiversity (see our <a href="https://www.visionlearning.com/en/library/Biology/2/Environmental-Services-and-Economics/279">Environmental Services and Economics</a> module).</p> <div class="comprehension-checkpoint margin-y-4"> <h6 class="comprehension-checkpoint__header"> <span> <span class="icon icon-question"></span> </span> Comprehension Checkpoint </h6> <form class="" name="cc12569"> <div class="form-entry"> <div class="form-entry__field"> <span class="form-entry__field__label">Climate change will have equal impacts on every species on the planet, including humans, because of its global reach.</span> <div class="form-entry__option"> <div class="form-entry__option__radio" data-answer="incorrect"> <label> <input id="q1-12569-0-option-a" name="quiz-option-12569" type="radio" value="True" > <span class="option__label"> <span class="screen-reader-only">a.</span> True </span> </label> <span class="quiz__response" id="response-12569-0"> <strong>Incorrect.</strong> </span> </div> <div class="form-entry__option__radio" data-answer="correct"> <label> <input id="q1-12569-1-option-b" name="quiz-option-12569" type="radio" value="False" > <span class="option__label"> <span class="screen-reader-only">b.</span> False </span> </label> <span class="quiz__response" id="response-12569-1"> <strong>Correct!</strong> </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </form> </div> </section> <section id="toc_3"> <h2>Biodiversity in the anthropocene</h2> <div class="figure"> <figure> <button class="lightbox-button lightbox-button--icon" data-lightbox=""> <img src="/img/library/modules/mid281/Image/VLObject-12571-22082203085912.png" alt="Figure 7: Beach scene. How many species are visible in this scene?" /> </button> <figcaption> <p><strong>Figure 7:</strong> Beach scene. How many species are visible in this scene?</p> <span class="credit">image ©Public Domain</span> </figcaption> </figure> </div> <p>The Anthropocene, or “Age of Man”, is what scientists call the <mark class="term" data-term="current" data-term-def="a flow, as of electricity or water. In oceanography and hydrology, a channel of water that flows together at the same velocity" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/current/8278">current</mark> <mark class="term" data-term="period" data-term-def="A row of elements in the periodic table." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/period/8565">period</mark> of dramatic Earth changes caused by human activities. When the Anthropocene began is debatable, but its long-term impacts are clear. <mark class="term" data-term="habitat" data-term-def="The place or type of environment where a wild plant, animal, or other organism naturally lives or grows." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/habitat/5593">Habitats</mark> have been altered, <mark class="term" data-term="ecosystem" data-term-def="The complex of a community of organisms and its environment, functioning as a unit." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/ecosystem/2174">ecosystems</mark> are functioning differently, and <mark class="term" data-term="biodiversity" data-term-def="The variety and abundance of life and its ecological context, including the different kinds of organisms, the numbers of species, the&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/biodiversity/875">biodiversity</mark> is lower. Earlier humans, with lower densities and less intensive resource exploitation, altered the <mark class="term" data-term="landscape" data-term-def="The natural scenery of a region; a collection of landforms in an area." data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/landscape/8559">landscape</mark> in ways that allowed other <mark class="term" data-term="species" data-term-def="1. In biological classifications, it is the lowest and most basic unit of the Linnaean taxonomic hierarchy (although it is also&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/species/893">species</mark> to persist. Modern human practices leave little ecological room for other species (Figure 7).</p> <p>Thinking about the bicycle again, some other species (parts) are missing, leading us to suspect that its essential <mark class="term" data-term="system" data-term-def="A group of interacting, interrelated or interdependent components that form a complex whole. The size of the system is defined for&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/system/3904">systems</mark> of brakes or steering might not <mark class="term" data-term="work" data-term-def="A process that occurs when a force acts over a distance, as when an object is moved. Work equals the multiple&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/work/1502">work</mark>. You are riding the bicycle anyway because it's the only one you've got, as we are living on Earth despite the lost species. You may find it more difficult to ride with so many of the parts missing, and the bike may not last as long as it would have with all of its parts intact. </p> <p><mark id="ngss-158" class="ngss">The upkeep and repair of the bicycle that is Earth is in our hands. Recognizing that the sustainability of Earth for living <mark class="term" data-term="organism" data-term-def="Any connected living system, such as an animal, plant, fungus, or bacterium. Organisms may be composed of a single cell or&hellip;" data-term-url="/en/glossary/view/organism/2171">organisms</mark>, including humans, is at stake, people around the world are working to maintain biodiversity.</mark></p> </div> </section> <hr class="border-color-dark" /> <footer class="module__footer"> <p class="citation"> <em> Devin Reese, PhD. “Biodiversity II” Visionlearning Vol. BIO-5 (9), 2022. </em> </p>  <div class="title-list" id="refs" name="refs"> <p class="h6 title-list__title"> References </p> <ul class="title-list__list"> <li><p></li> <li>Andrén, Henrik, Per Angelstam, Erik Lindström, and Per Widen. "Differences in predation pressure in relation to habitat fragmentation: an experiment." <em>Oikos</em> (1985): 273-277.</li> <li>Armstrong, C., J. Miller, A. C. McAlvay, P. M. Ritchie, and D. Lepofsky. 2021. Historical Indigenous Land-Use Explains Plant Functional Trait Diversity. <em>Ecology and Society</em> 26(2):6. https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-12322-260206</li> <li>Denali Education Center, Denali National Park and Preserve. (2022). Arctic Fox. https://www.denali.org/denalis-natural-history/arctic-fox/</li> <li>Deutsch, Curtis A., Joshua J. Tewksbury, Michelle Tigchelaar, David S. Battisti, Scott C. Merrill, Raymond B. Huey, and Rosamond L. Naylor. "Increase in crop losses to insect pests in a warming climate." <em>Science</em> 361, no. 6405 (2018): 916-919.</li> <li>Ehrlich, Paul, and Anne Ehrlich. "Extinction: the causes and consequences of the disappearance of species." (1981).</li> <li>Elçiçek, H., A. Parla., and M. Çakmakçı. (2013) Digital Proceeding Of THE ICOEST’2013 - , CappadociaC.Ozdemir, S. Şahinkaya, E. Kalıpcı, M.K. Oden (editors)Nevsehir, Turkey, June 18 – 21, 2013. http://josunas.selcuk.edu.tr/login/index.php/josunas/article/view/233</li> <li>Ellis, Erle C., Nicolas Gauthier, Kees Klein Goldewijk, Rebecca Bliege Bird, Nicole Boivin, Sandra Díaz, Dorian Q. Fuller et al. "People have shaped most of terrestrial nature for at least 12,000 years." <em>Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</em> 118, no. 17 (2021): e2023483118.</li> <li>Gauer, Viviane H., David M. Schaepe, and John R. Welch. "Supporting Indigenous adaptation in a changing climate: Insights from the Stó: lō Research and Resource Management Centre (British Columbia) and the Fort Apache Heritage Foundation (Arizona)." <em>Elem Sci Anth 9</em>, no. 1 (2021): 00164.</li> <li>Gérard, Maxence, Maryse Vanderplanck, Thomas Wood, and Denis Michez. "Global warming and plant–pollinator mismatches." <em>Emerging topics in life sciences</em> 4, no. 1 (2020): 77-86.</li> <li>Goldsmit, Jesica, Shannon Hope Nudds, D. Bruce Stewart, Jeff Wayde Higdon, Charles Gordon Hannah, and Kimberly Lynn Howland. "Where else? Assessing zones of alternate ballast water exchange in the Canadian eastern Arctic." <em>Marine Pollution Bulletin</em> 139 (2019): 74-90.</li> <li>Guerra-Correa, Estefany S., Andrés Merino-Viteri, María Belén Andrango, and Omar Torres-Carvajal. "Thermal biology of two tropical lizards from the Ecuadorian Andes and their vulnerability to climate change." <em>PloS one</em> 15, no. 1 (2020): e0228043.</li> <li>IPBES (2019): Global assessment report on biodiversity and ecosystem services of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services. E. S. Brondizio, J. Settele, S. Díaz, and H. T. Ngo (editors). IPBES secretariat, Bonn, Germany. 1148 pages. https://zenodo.org/record/6417333</li> <li>Linnell, John DC, Reidar Andersen, T. O. R. Kvam, Henrik Andren, Olof Liberg, John Odden, and P. F. Moa. "Home range size and choice of management strategy for lynx in Scandinavia." <em>Environmental management 27</em>, no. 6 (2001): 869-879.</li> <li>Madeira, Carolina, Vanessa Mendonça, Augusto AV Flores, Mário S. Diniz, and Catarina Vinagre. "High thermal tolerance does not protect from chronic warming–A multiple end-point approach using a tropical gastropod, Stramonita haemastoma." <em>Ecological indicators</em> 91 (2018): 626-635.</li> <li>National Park Service (updated December 28, 2021). Nēnē - Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. https://www.nps.gov/havo/learn/nature/nene.htm</li> <li>Otero, Iago, Katharine N. Farrell, Salvador Pueyo, Giorgos Kallis, Laura Kehoe, Helmut Haberl, Christoph Plutzar et al. "Biodiversity policy beyond economic growth." <em>Conservation letters</em> 13, no. 4 (2020): e12713.</li> <li>Pacifici, Michela, Wendy B. Foden, Piero Visconti, James EM Watson, Stuart HM Butchart, Kit M. Kovacs, Brett R. Scheffers et al. "Assessing species vulnerability to climate change." <em>Nature climate change</em> 5, no. 3 (2015): 215-224.</li> <li>Román-Palacios, Cristian, and John J. Wiens. "Recent responses to climate change reveal the drivers of species extinction and survival." <em>Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</em> 117, no. 8 (2020): 4211-4217.</li> <li>Sinervo, Barry, Fausto Mendez-De-La-Cruz, Donald B. Miles, Benoit Heulin, Elizabeth Bastiaans, Maricela Villagrán-Santa Cruz, Rafael Lara-Resendiz et al. "Erosion of lizard diversity by climate change and altered thermal niches." <em>Science</em> 328, no. 5980 (2010): 894-899.</li> <li>Smith, A. (2021). Pikas are adapting to climate change remarkably well, contrary to many predictions. <em>The Conversation</em>, January 7, 2021. https://theconversation.com/pikas-are-adapting-to-climate-change-remarkably-well-contrary-to-many-predictions-150726</li> <li>Nanavati, William, Cathy Whitlock, Maria Eugenia de Porras, Adolfo Gil, Diego Navarro, and Gustavo Neme. "Disentangling the last 1,000 years of human–environment interactions along the eastern side of the southern Andes (34–52° S lat.)." <em>Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</em> 119, no. 9 (2022): e2119813119.</li> <li>Fei, Yuxiang, Rong Hou, James R. Spotila, Frank V. Paladino, Dunwu Qi, and Zhihe Zhang. "Metabolic rates of giant pandas inform conservation strategies." <em>Scientific reports</em> 6, no. 1 (2016): 1-11.</li> </ul> </div>  <div class="title-list" name="further"> <p class="h6 title-list__title"> Further Reading </p> <ul class="grid grid--column-2--md grid--column-3--md gap-1"> <li> <a class="no-hover-focus height-100" href="/en/library/Earth-Science/6/Factors-that-Control-Earths-Temperature/234"> <article class="flex-row align-items-center flex-column--md align-items-start--md height-100 theme-light padding-2 gap-2"> <div class="width-30 width-auto--md"> <img class="border-radius box-shadow-1" src="/img/library/moduleImages/featured_image_234-23061209065932.jpeg" alt="Factors that Control Earth's Temperature"> </div> <div class="flex-grow-shrink"> <h2 class="h6 font-weight-normal"> Factors that Control Earth's Temperature: <em>Energy from the sun and greenhouse gases</em> </h2> </div> </article> </a> </li> <li> <a class="no-hover-focus height-100" href="/en/library/Earth-Science/6/Factors-that-Control-Regional-Climate/255"> <article class="flex-row align-items-center flex-column--md align-items-start--md height-100 theme-light padding-2 gap-2"> <div class="width-30 width-auto--md"> <img class="border-radius box-shadow-1" src="/img/library/moduleImages/featured_image_255-23061209065944.jpg" alt="Circulation in the Atmosphere"> </div> <div class="flex-grow-shrink"> <h2 class="h6 font-weight-normal"> Circulation in the Atmosphere: <em>Earth's tilt, orbit, rotation, and the redistribution of energy</em> </h2> </div> </article> </a> </li> </ul> </div> </footer> </div>   </div>  <div class="order-1 order-2--lg module__tools"> <div class="narrow margin-x-auto position-sticky-top font-size-md"> <div class="padding-2 border-radius box-shadow-1--lg"> <div class="tabs" role="tablist"> <nav> <button class="button button--icon-label" id="tab-button-in-this-module" aria-label="Table of Contents" aria-controls="tab-panel-module__tools" aria-selected="true" role="tab"> <span class="icon icon-list" aria-hidden="true"></span> <span class="button__text">Contents</span> </button> <button class="button button--icon-label" id="tab-button-toggle-terms" aria-controls="tab-panel-toggle-terms" aria-selected="false" role="tab"> <span class="icon icon-glossary-highlight"></span> <span class="button__text">Glossary Terms</span> </button> <button class="button button--icon-label" id="tab-button-toggle-ngss" aria-controls="tab-panel-toggle-ngss" aria-selected="false" role="tab"> <span class="icon icon-ngss"></span> <span class="button__text">NGSS</span> </button> </nav> <hr class="divider" /> <div class="tabs__panel shown" id="tab-panel-module__tools" aria-labelledby="tab-button-module__tools" role="tabpanel"> <p class="font-weight-bold margin-bottom-1"> Table of Contents </p> <div class="table-of-contents" id="module-toc"> <ul> <li><a href="/en/library/environmental-science/61/biodiversity-ii/281#toc_1">Habitat modifications</a> </li> <li> <ul> <li><a href="/en/library/environmental-science/61/biodiversity-ii/281#toc2_1">Fragmentation</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li> <ul> <li><a href="/en/library/environmental-science/61/biodiversity-ii/281#toc2_2">Introduced species</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li><a href="/en/library/environmental-science/61/biodiversity-ii/281#toc_2">Global changes and biodiversity</a> </li> <li> <ul> <li><a href="/en/library/environmental-science/61/biodiversity-ii/281#toc2_3">Climate change</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li> <ul> <li><a href="/en/library/environmental-science/61/biodiversity-ii/281#toc2_4">Moving to better habitat</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li> <ul> <li><a href="/en/library/environmental-science/61/biodiversity-ii/281#toc2_5">Adapting to changing habits</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li> <ul> <li><a href="/en/library/environmental-science/61/biodiversity-ii/281#toc2_6">Failing to move or adapt</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li><a href="/en/library/environmental-science/61/biodiversity-ii/281#toc_3">Biodiversity in the anthropocene</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div>   <div class="tabs__panel" id="tab-panel-toggle-terms" aria-labelledby="tab-button-toggle-terms" role="tabpanel"> <div class="reading-toggle"> <div class="reading-toggle__switch"> <div class="form-entry__option__switch"> <label> <input type="checkbox" name="termsToggleSwitch" id="terms-toggle-switch" /> <span class="switch__slider"></span> <span class="option__label text-decoration-none font-size-md"> Highlight Glossary Terms </span> </label> </div> </div> <div class="reading-toggle__help"> <p> <em> Activate glossary term highlighting to easily identify key terms within the module. Once highlighted, you can click on these terms to view their definitions. </em> </p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="tabs__panel" id="tab-panel-toggle-ngss" aria-labelledby="tab-button-toggle-ngss" role="tabpanel"> <div class="reading-toggle"> <div class="reading-toggle__switch"> <div class="form-entry__option__switch"> <label> <input type="checkbox" name="ngssToggleSwitch" id="ngss-toggle-switch" /> <span class="switch__slider"></span> <span class="option__label text-decoration-none font-size-md"> Show NGSS Annotations </span> </label> </div> </div> <div class="reading-toggle__help"> <p> <em> Activate NGSS annotations to easily identify NGSS standards within the module. Once highlighted, you can click on them to view these standards. </em> </p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="reading-annotation-container"></div>  </div> </div> <div class="margin-3"> <script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-9561344156007092" crossorigin="anonymous"></script>  <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-9561344156007092" data-ad-slot="7634263342" data-ad-format="auto" data-full-width-responsive="true"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div>   </article> </div> </main> <script id="ngssCommentdata" type="application/json"> [{"ngss_tag_id":null,"type":"dci","tag":null,"name":null,"description":null,"comment":"Humans depend on the living world for the resources and other benefits provided by biodiversity. 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