Biodiversity Biodiversity is measured by the amount of different species that can be found within an ecosystem. Stable ecosystems help to sustain biodiversity. Habitats must be preserved to protect endangered species and maintain biodiversity. Destruction of habitat, invasive species and pollutants threaten biodiversity

Examples Lets look at some living examples of the incredible diversity of our planet…

Larger than life (well, at least the largest) What is the largest organism in the world? The honey mushroom. One of these fungi found in Oregon is 5.6 km long and covers an area of more than 1,600 football fields.

The fungus, also known as the honey mushroom, spreads below ground by sending out these stringy rhizomorphs.

Temperature Range A bacteria known as Strain 121 was found living around hydrothermal vents. This bacteria can survive at temperatures of up to 121º C.

Speed- The berserk Basilisk Lizard The basilisk lizard runs so fast that it is able to run right over water. (5.4 km/h)

Meet Bill and Sam The Red-knobbed hornbill (above) and the Toucan (left)

Cute? Deep sea fish come in allsorts of unusual forms. This is a Psychrolutes fish found over 1000m deep off the coast of Australia.

Mr. Mom With seahorses, it is the male that becomes pregnant and gives birth to the young.

Lighten up a little Many Jellyfish and some other animals like the firefly are able to produce their own light using bioluminescence (symbiosis with bacteria).

A Knock Out The Pistol shrimp uses its claw to shoot a shockwave bubble at its prey. When this bubble collapses it releases enough energy to kill its prey.

The Hardy Cockroach Cockroaches are resistant to radiation, and able to live for up to a week without a head.

The Flying Squirrel These animals are found throughout Canadian forests. They have loose skin between their legs that allows them to glide from tree to tree.

Flying Fish These fish found throughout tropical oceans are capable of flying for up to 100m in distance and 1m out of the water. These fish use their unusual talent to escape predators. Unfortunately for the one on the right, flying didn’t help him escape Charlie.

It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s a snake? The Flying Snake Several types of tree snakes are able to flatten out their bodies and glide from tree to tree like a piece of ribbon.

Eggstraordinary Mammals The platypus and the echidna are both found in Australia and are the only mammals that lay eggs.

“I ought’er ring your neck” The Nene Goose (on the left) is found in Hawaii and is a relative to the Canadian goose (below).

The Rhinoceros Beetle This beetle is one of the strongest organisms (relative to its size) on the earth. It can lift 850 times its own weight.

An exhibitionist The naked Mole-rat has very little fur. These animals can be found in Ethiopia, central Somalia, and Kenya.

The fast and the furious The cheetah is the fastest animal on land. It can run up to 112 km/h. Fast enough to get it a speeding ticket on the 401.

A super star The Star-nosed mole can be found throughout eastern Canada. It prefers swampy habitats. The nose for which it is named, is the most tactilely sensitive in the animal kingdom.

The Tarsier This interesting animal can be found in southeastern Asia. The tarsier is classified as a suborder of primate and is the smallest known primate measuring 15 to 18 cm in length.