Nutria Rat and the Wetlands 1. What is biodiversity? 2. What are the four ways that humans are decreasing biodiversity? 3. What is threatening the polar bear? 4. Why does deforestation threaten plants and animals? 5. Why does reducing biodiversity threaten us humans?

Objectives By the end of today, all SWBAT…  Describe the value of the wetlands  Explain how the nutria rat is decreasing the biodiversity of LA’s wetlands

Agenda  Finish yesterday’s video  Wetlands: what are they, why do we care?  Invasive species  Example: Nutria Rat  Stations  Exit Question

What is a wetland?

Jean Lafitte National Park  Right in our backyard…

Key Point #1: The Louisiana wetlands are important for a healthy LA—both the environment and the people

Wetlands: in between terrestrial (land) and aquatic (water) ecosystems Aquatic Wetland Terrestrial

Movie Question: What are three things that define a wetland

Where are wetlands located?  All along the coast of LA  40% of the U.S.’s wetlands are located in LA!!!!!

 There are MANY different types of wetlands…  And they often look very different

Forested Wetlands… Swamps

Grassy Wetlands: Marshes

Open water

Marshland

So what?  Key Point #2: Wetlands are valuable for five reasons  Home to fish and animals  Clean pollutants out of the water  Reduce flooding  Slow down hurricanes  Provide money and jobs to people

Value of wetlands 1. Home to fish and animals  1/3 of birds and mammals live here  Almost ALL amphibians live in wetlands

Value of the wetlands 2. Cleans water of pollutants  Plants suck up pollution like a vacuum

Value of the wetlands 3. Reduces flooding  Works like a sponge to soak up excess water  Keeps other areas from flooding

Value of the wetlands 4. Slows down hurricanes  Works like a FENCE between water and land

Value of the Wetlands 5. Provides MONEY and jobs to people  In 2006, 26% of the nation’s oil  Between 25-35% of the nation’s fish  950 million pounds of seafood every year  $37 billion per year

Invasive Species are a Huge Threat  Key Point #3: Invasive species reduce biodiversity by…  Preying upon (eating) other species  Eating other species’ food  Destroying other species’ habitat

How do invasive species get there?  Accidentally, by…  Boat  Plane  Intentionally  Pets  Decorative plants

 The nutria rat is an invasive species that is dramatically harming the LA wetlands  Remember…  Invasive species: NON-NATIVE plants and animals that have a NEGATIVE influence on an area Nutria Rat

Invasive species of Louisiana wetlands

3.7 Classwork: Part A  Answer the questions below from the video we are about to watch

3.7 Classwork: Part B Directions: With a partner, answer the four reading questions from the paragraphs at your lab stations  Paragraph 1  Question 1  Paragraph 2  Question 2  Etc.

Part C. Food Webs What do nutria rats eat? How does this impact all other parts of the food web???

Key Point Wrap-Up  The Louisiana wetlands are important for a healthy LA—both the environment and the people  Home to many plants and animals, cleans water, reduces flooding, slows hurricanes, money and jobs to people  Invasive species reduce biodiversity  Prey upon (eat) other species  Eat other species’ food  Destroy other species’ habitat  The nutria rat is an invasive species that dramatically harms the LA wetlands  Eats wetland plants

Exit Questions 1. What are two ways that humans benefit from the wetlands? 2. Explain why nutria rats are an invasive species. 3. Describe in complete sentences how the nutria rat decreases biodiversity in the wetlands.