Biodiversity

Learn why biodiversity matters and how to protect it! Essential science worksheet for understanding ecosystems.

Why is biodiversity important to life on Earth? What happens as biodiversity increases in a certain ecosystem? The ecosystem is more stable and can withstand changes The ecosystem becomes less stable and will not last if changes occur Biodiversity does not affect ecosystems at all Explain why Biodiversity is important to all life on Earth. Make sure to use at least 3 complete sentences. What is biodiversity? What are the three types of Biodiversity? Click below to learn more. Match the type of biodiversity with its definition. Genetic Biodiversity The variety of genes within a species. Species Biodiversity The variety of species in a habitat or region Ecosystem Biodiversity The variety of ecosystems within a given place Megadiversity Countries with very high levels of biodiversity What are 2 ways that we can help maintain biodiversity? (check out the video and the link) You can list answers or write in complete sentences. 6 Major Loss of Biodiversity Click here to learn about threats to biodiversity. Threats to Biodiversity Threats Match the threat to biodiversity with its description. Climate Change Change in the global climate has major effects on the environment, such as seasons, sea levels, and glacial retreats Habitat Loss and Degradation Humans are expanding into many areas and breaking the habitat into smaller pieces or cutting down the forests. Pollution Humans are releasing different chemicals and waste into the water, air, and land. Invasive Species Exotic or unnatural species that has been introduced into a foreign habitat. Overexploitation Over-harvesting species or natural resources at a rate that is unsustainable. Epidemics and Disease Diseases can affect the wildlife and drastically decrease the amount living in a certain population.