What is biodiversity? January 4

Announcements Consider retaking the biome quiz – I encourage you to review the textbook pages ( ) first Midterm exams will be the week of January 18 January 22 is the end of the 2 nd advisory! – Absolute last day to submit 2 nd advisory work

Objective By the end of class, students will be able to explain the benefits of biodiversity

Agenda Warm-Up How many species on Earth? New species face-off Introduction to biodiversity Benefits of biodiversity Exit Ticket Homework: Why should we care about the American alligator?

How many species on Earth?

About million species are known to science. We have no idea how many species EXIST!

How can we estimate the number of species on earth? 1. Think about it – 1 minute 2. Exchange ideas with your elbow partner – 1 minute

One clue: how many species are discovered each year 15,000 new species every year

Top 10 New Species of 2015 International Institute for Species Exploration One of their top-10 organisms is on the back of your warm-up Take 90 seconds to read about your organism

Biodiversity Short for “biological diversity” Refers to the variety of living things on Earth

Three Levels of Biodiversity Genetic diversity – Diversity of genes within a population Species diversity – Number of different species Ecosystem diversity – Variety of habitats and ecosystems

Benefits of Biodiversity?

Benefits of Biodiversity 1.Species are connected to ecosystems 2.Species and population survival 3.Medical, industrial, and agricultural uses 4.Ethics, aesthetics, and recreation

Exit ticket Using your own words, describe one benefit of biodiversity. Turn in now: Warm-Up & Exit Ticket Turn in next class: Benefits of Biodiversity Homework