Biodiversity MT: Evolution

Break, break, break down... breaking it on down Bio = life, living Diversity = many different types biodiversity = many different types of living things

Importance of Biodiversity Aesthetically pleasing (it makes Earth pretty!) Creates a healthy planet (medicine, food, clothing) Need an interaction between organisms (think of food webs; decomposers, producers, consumers) Competition: the most fit species will survive and reproduce

Question? Think Silently: Which environment has a greater biodiversity? Defend your answer. Rain forest OR Tundra

Answer: Tropical Rain Forest – greater variety of trees and plants than the tundra picture

What if the environment changed? Why is biodiversity important if there is a change in the environment (fire, hurricane, virus, pollution, tornado, volcano?) In other words, why would it be beneficial if we have many different living things if a natural disaster hit a community? Think yourself (30 sec)

Biodiversity and Environmental Changes Because of biodiversity, some species are more fit. So even if the environment changes, there will still be life on Earth because the fittest species will survive. If all organisms were the same and the environment changed, then all of the organisms would die because none are more fit.

Example: Forest Fire Will there be any life in the forest after a fire?

Threats to Biodiversity (HIPPO) H = habitat loss I = invasive species (foreign to area) P = population (too many people) P = pollution O = overharvesting (fish, trees, animals)

Biodiversity Conservation Fish farms Replanting trees Endangered species list Recycling Federal regulations on reducing pollution Awareness – Go Green!