Tennessee SPI Objective: Essential Question(s) Biodiversity Notes Date Tennessee SPI Objective: Identify several reasons for the importance of maintaining the earth's biodiversity. Essential Question(s) 1) What is biodiversity, 2) Why is it important to preserve biodiversity? 3) What actions can we take to help maintain and/or increase biodiversity? Success Criteria 1) I can describe biodiversity and explain why it is important. 2) I can explain several reasons how to maintain or increase biodiversity.

Bio -means life Diversity -refers to variety Biodiversity: is the amount and variety of organisms that live in a given area at a given time (more is better). SPI 0807.5.4 (Biodiversity) Identify several reasons for the importance of maintaining earth’s biodiversity. Here are 8 Reasons to Maintain Biodiversity 1) To feed the world 2) To provide more medicine 3) To maintain our economies 4) To provide life support for our biosphere 5) To avoid disrupting food webs 6) To satisfy human curiosity 7) To preserve nature's beauty 8) To respect life in all its forms

Reasons to Maintain Biodiversity SPI 0807.5.4 Biodiversity Notes Science Reasons to Maintain Biodiversity 1) To feed the world 90% of the world's food comes from only 20 plant species Ex: Wheat, Corn, Rice, Soybeans, potatoes, tomatoes, etc. If a disease or a natural disaster damages or wipes out one or more of these crops, famine would result (millions could starve). More varieties of these types of plants would increase our chances of avoiding and/or reducing the impact of a famine. Corn Wheat Rice

Reasons to Maintain Biodiversity SPI 0807.5.4 Biodiversity Notes Science Reasons to Maintain Biodiversity 2) To provide more and better medicine 40% of medicine prescribed in the USA comes from plants, animals, or microorganisms. With less biodiversity there is less opportunity to find new medicines.

Reasons to Maintain Biodiversity SPI 0807.5.4 Biodiversity Notes Science Reasons to Maintain Biodiversity 3) To maintain our economies Various plants and animals are vitally important parts of our local, national, and global economies. If some disaster were to wipe out one or more of these resources, tremendous financial hardship would result. Commercial Fishing Cotton Lumber

Reasons to Maintain Biodiversity SPI 0807.5.4 Biodiversity Notes Science Reasons to Maintain Biodiversity 4) To provide life support for our biosphere Various plants and animals improve our environment. Ex: Oysters filter water making it cleaner for other marine life. Ex: Trees absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen into the air. Ex: Beavers create aquatic ecosystems when they build dams.

Reasons to Maintain Biodiversity 5) To avoid disrupting food webs Excessive hunting or harvesting of wild plants and wild animals and/or harming species due to pollution and habitat destruction, significantly disrupts food chains and food webs

Reasons to Maintain Biodiversity SPI 0807.5.4 Biodiversity Notes Science Reasons to Maintain Biodiversity 6) To satisfy human curiosity Human beings are curious about Earth’s diversity of life. People enjoy learning about nature and wildlife.

Reasons to Maintain Biodiversity SPI 0807.5.4 Biodiversity Notes Science Reasons to Maintain Biodiversity 7) To preserve nature's beauty Places with high biodiversity like Yellowstone park, the Smoky Mountains, and the Amazon Rainforest are popular places to visit.

Reasons to Maintain Biodiversity SPI 0807.5.4 Biodiversity Notes Science Reasons to Maintain Biodiversity 8) To respect life in all its forms Even organisms that we fear or dislike have a right to exist, and they play important roles in food chains/food webs.

8 Ways to Maintain or Increase Biodiversity SPI 0807.5.4 Biodiversity Notes Science 8 Ways to Maintain or Increase Biodiversity 1) Don’t pollute 2) Limit habitat destruction 3) Restore and protect ecosystems and habitats 4) Don’t over-harvest or over-hunt organisms 5) Reduce, Reuse, Recycle 6) Support conservation efforts 7) Invest in cleaner energy sources (solar, wind, etc.) 8) Respect other life forms

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