1. Biodiversity MT: Evolution

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

3. 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

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

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

6. 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)

7. 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.

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

9. 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)

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