HUMAN ACTIVITIES AND BIODIVERSITY How do humans alter the biodiversity of groups of living things?

There are three levels of biodiversity… Species Diversity = number of different species within an ecosystem. Genetic Diversity = variation in the genetic make-up of a population. Ecosystem Diversity = a variety of relationships within and between ecosystems.

Human Activities that Affect Biodiversity 1.Habitat Destruction – from agriculture, construction, mining, forestry, etc. May be direct or indirect. 2.Introduced Species – intentionally or accidentally. 3.Overexploitation – harvesting of plants or animals beyond what the population can recover. 4.Disruption of Networks – this affects relationships within or between ecosystems. 5.Breeding, GMO’s, Cloning – such as selective breeding of food crop species; this reduces genetic diversity.

Human Activity and Biodiversity 1.With your chosen group of 2 or 3, carefully read your assigned scenario. 2.Refer to the 5 ways humans impact biodiversity on pp or in your notes. Record which ones align with your group’s scenario…there may be more than one. 3.Decide how biodiversity was impacted (# of species reduced, genetic diversity diminished and/or interactions between species impacted) Biodiversity may be impacted in more than one way. 4.Prepare a short presentation (2-3 slides) – Describe your scenario – Include pictures and/or graphics. – Explain the human impact. – Describe how biodiversity was impacted. 5.Share your google presentation with me by the end of the day on Friday! 6.Present your information. (Tuesday) 7.Record information on each scenario as the groups present.

Analysis Questions 1.In which scenario was genetic diversity altered? How was it altered? In what way(s) did this alteration impact the species in question? 2.Discuss a scenario in which species diversity was altered. 3.Discuss a scenario in which ecosystem diversity was altered. 4.Describe a scenario that resulted in extinction of a species.

Revisit The Challenge Address the challenge: “How do humans alter the biodiversity of groups of living things?” Answer with a quality, detail laden essay. Include specific details from both your and two other scenarios.