813 Identify several reasons for the importance of maintaining the earth’s biodiversity.  

Identify several reasons for the importance of maintaining the earth’s biodiversity. Key concepts/skills: Level 1: Define key vocabulary. Level 2: Identify reasons (preserve habitats, maintain ecosystems, prevent extinctions, reduce disease.) Level 3: Describe strategies to maintain biodiversity.

Identify several reasons for the importance of maintaining the earth’s biodiversity. Key vocabulary: Habitat biodiversity overpopulation exotic species Habitat destruction endangered species deforestation ecosystem Conservation/preservation extinct native species

Identify several reasons for the importance of maintaining the earth’s biodiversity. Biodiversity – “bio” means life “diverse” means different 1. The variety of organisms you find in a particular area whether large or small is the area’s biodiversity 2. If an area has many different species of organisms, it is considered to be very diverse and healthy. 3. If an area has very few species of organisms, it is considered to be an unhealthy environment.

Identify several reasons for the importance of maintaining the earth’s biodiversity. B. Many human activities are thought to affect the earth’s biodiversity in many ways. 1.As the earth’s biodiversity decreases, it is harder for those species left to survive C. Pollution any unnatural substance in an environment D. Conservation – using resources only when necessary

Identify several reasons for the importance of maintaining the earth’s biodiversity. E. Organism categories Endangered – species numbers are extremely low and are at risk of extinction Native – species that naturally live in a specific area Exotic – species that are introduced to an area and take resources from native species often harming native species

Identify several reasons for the importance of maintaining the earth’s biodiversity. Habitat – the physical area that an organism or species lives. A. Habitat destruction – the destruction of a physical parts of an environment 1. Deforestation – Removing all layers of a forest from a particular area

Identify several reasons for the importance of maintaining the earth’s biodiversity. B. Ecosystem – all of the plants and animals that make up a community C. Overpopulation – more offspring born than will live to adulthood (1st part of nat. sel.)

Identify several reasons for the importance of maintaining the earth’s biodiversity. Following are specific reasons why we should try to maintain the earth’s biodiversity: 1. All organisms depend on all others for survival 2. We may be losing medicines 3. We may be losing organisms that we have not even discovered 4. Better biodiversity means better health for all organisms 5. Ultimately better biodiversity means humans live better 6. Better biodiversity means more beauty in nature 7. We eat better 9. We are healthier 10. Following generations can also benefit from diversity

Identify several reasons for the importance of maintaining the earth’s biodiversity.