1 Natural History Division Institute of Jamaica November, 2004

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3 Bio= life Diverse= different

4 BIODIVERSITY is a measurement of ALL the different types of living things on Earth

5 SpeciesLiving Species –Animals –Plants –Fungi –Bacteria –Viruses Habitats Ecosystems Microbes

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7Habitat

8 The place where an animal lives e.g. - under a rock - in a tree trunk

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10Ecosystem

11 Many plants, animals, and microorganisms living together in their environment Many plants, animals, and microorganisms living together in their environment Made up of many habitats Made up of many habitats

12 Food Chains

13 Food Chains Plants and animals in an ecosystem are linked by what they eat, or what gives them energy. the vegetation gets energy from the sun the cow gets energy from the vegetation the person gets energy from the cow

14 A food chain

15 Food Webs

Why is biodiversity important?

Threats to Biodiversity

18 Words to Know EXTINCT ENDANGERED NATIVE ENDEMIC

19 Extinct– no longer living Endangered – in danger of becoming extinct

Mammoth

Extinct Jamaican Species? Jamaican Poorwill Siphonorhis americanus 1860?

Jamaican Monkey Xenothrix mcgregori extinct:

23 Aliens Introduced species Also called exotic species Belong to other habits

24 How do Aliens reach new habitats?

25 How do Aliens reach new habitats? Seed dispersal by animals Plants and Animals carried from one country to another via ships, airplanes & trains Seeds stuck in the grooves of someones shoes and insects are easily transported to different locations

26 Introduced Species humans are responsible for most introduced species

27 WHY???? 1.Control of pests - Indian Mongoose brought to Jamaica to control rats 2.Trade - Crops, Flowers & Pets

28 Examples of Alien Species in Jamaica Ackee –Africa Breadfruit - New Guinea English sea captain, 1793

29 The Spanish brought –Coconut –Pineapple –Citrus fruits –Banana –Plantain –Sugar cane The Indians brought Ganja

30 Mango Mangifera indica In the 1700s a French ship was captured at sea by Jamaican Soldiers

31 Words to Know ALIEN INVASIVE

32 Invasive Species Some Aliens are dangerous Harm the native species and destroy the habitat Some Aliens are good NO harm to native species and habitats

33 Invasive Species in JAMAICA Rat Mongoose

Jamaica has more endemic birds and plants than any other Caribbean island Jamaican Biodiversity

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39 Was thought Extinct Population is recovering

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44 Biodiversity is really cool! We learned about it today in school. The ecosystemthats where its at. And where organisms live, thats their habitat. Now to have an ecosystem that is so fine, you gotta have variety down the line. You need lots of animals. And plants, too. Usually more is better than just a few. To keep biodiversity in days to come, we cant keep the animals on the run But if I do my part and you do yours, we can ALL protect the great outdoors. So now that youve heard my diversity song, I hope on the next round that youll sing along. So teach it to others, and our feet well all tap. As EVERYONE does the Biodiversity Rap! © the Bio- diversity Rap

For Information Contact: Jamaica Clearing House Mechanism Natural History Division Institute of Jamaica East Street KingstonJamaica Website:

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47 Crossword Clues DOWN 1.Means exchange 2.Means variety of life 3.These species are introduced into new habitats 4.Pest often found in homes 5.Another term for alien 6.Introduced plant eaten as part of the national dish ACROSS 2.Type of snake in Jamaica 3.Ultimate goal of conservation 4.Means gone forever 5.Means could become extinct soon 6.Home of a species

48 T R BOA A I D L RECOVER I D A E EXTINCTION V THREATENED R X S O I T HABITAT I C Y C K E E Solutions