Biodiversity

What is Biodiversity? Watch the video to refresh your memory on biodiversity. Then fill in the blanks Biodiversity is the variety of life in an area which is determined by the number of species in that area. It's the totality of genes, species and ecosystems in a region. As biodiversity increases so does the health of the ecosystem increases. As biodiversity increases the ecosystem as a greater ability to adapt to changes. 3 types of biodiversity Match the type of biodiversity with the definition. Genetic diversity variety of genes that controls inheritable characteristics that are present in a population or species Species diversity number of species and the relative abundance of each species in a community. Ecosystem Diversity Variation in the ecosystems found in a region or the variation in ecosystem over the whole planet. High Biodiversity Large number of different species and a vast number of individual species; can withstand change; example rainforest Low Biodiversity very few organisms; little variation; cannot withstand change; example deserts or polar regions Sustainable able to be maintained at a certain rate or level Which is an example of genetic variation? All the ecosystems variety of mushrooms colors of ladybugs Which is an example of species variation all the ecosystems variety of mushrooms Colors of ladybugs Which is an example of ecosystem variation? all the ecosystems variety of mushrooms colors of ladybugs Match it up! Sort the pictures into the proper category. Low Biodiversity not sustainable cannot withstand change ecosystem would collapse High Biodiversity sustainable can withstand change ecosystem would recover over time Why is biodiversity important? Watch the video and then complete the activity below. Why is biodiversity important? Because biodiversity creates a more beautiful world to look at Because biodiversity provides us with food, medicine, oxygen and shelter Biodiversity isn't important at all An ecosystem that is not sustainable can break down when a natural disaster occurs. This can lead to organisms in the ecosystem either leaving the area or dying off. Increased biodiversity results in a more sustainable ecosystem because a greater number of plant species means there is less barren land a great variety of species present allows more organisms to adapt after changes occur the transition area between two areas is narrower there are fewer species to be affected by environmental stresses What does it mean for an environment to be sustainable? Explain in your own words the 3 types of biodiversity. Use your matching activity from above.