1. Unit A
BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY

2. 1.1 Examining Diversity
Species: a group of organisms that have the same structure and can reproduce with one another.
Living things:
Are made of cells
Need energy
Grow and develop
Reproduce
Can make adaptations to the environment

3. Examining Diversity cont’d
Biological Diversity: all the different types of organisms on Earth
Ecosystem: Living (biotic) things interact with other living and non-living (abiotic) things in a shared environment.
Population: the species live in a specific area and share the same resources
Community: when populations of a different species live in the same area
Genetic Diversity: refers to the diversity or variations between members of the same species

4. Examining Diversity cont’d
Species Distribution
The number of plant and animal species is greatest in tropical regions.
As you move north to the temperate and then polar regions, you find less biological diversity
Coral reefs support many different communities of organisms.

5. Classifying Biological Diversity
There are 5 kingdoms of species:
Anamalia (animals)
Plantae (plants)
Fungi (yeast, mold, mushrooms)
Protista (single-celled organisms)
Monera (bacteria)

6. Classifying Biological Diversity
Classification becomes more specific as you move from Kingdom to Species
Eg. Canis Rufus, Canis Lupus, Canis Familiaris

7. 1.2 Interdependence
No species can live by itself,each species is dependent on another
3 Symbiotic Relationships
Commensalism: one organism benefits but the other does not. Eg. baracles
Mutualism: both organisms benefit Eg. sucker fish and shark
Parasitism: one organism benefits and the other is harmed. Eg. tapeworm

8. Clownfish & Sea Anemone
Flowers & Pollinators
Tapeworm

9. Interdependence cont’d
Niches: the role of an organism within its environment. Includes what the organism eats, habitat, nesting site, predators, etc.
Interspecies Competition: two or more species need the same resources
Resource Partitioning: the species divide up the resources equally to ensure survival. Eg. warblers

10. 1.3 Variation Within Species
Healthy ecosystems have a great deal of genetic diversity among the species, and a great deal of variation within a population of single species
When a species has a great deal of variation among individuals it is more likely the individuals will survive environmental changes.
Eg. new predators, weather, elimination of food sources.