1. The Importance of Biological Relationships:
Lesson Title Goes Here
The Importance of Biological Relationships:
Assessing the issues with London’s Biodiversity using the Chimney Swift
Copyright, legal, version number?

2. Biological Relationships within Ecosystems
Lesson Title Goes Here
Biological Relationships within Ecosystems
There are several different types of biological relationships within ecosystems, all of which contribute and maintain a natural balance.
A natural balance is vital to the survival of all species, including us.
Some examples of relationships within an ecosystem are:
Biotic relationships (competition, predation, symbiosis)
Rhythmic relationships (migration, hibernation, diurnal, and nocturnal)
Succession relationships (primary and secondary)
Image source:
Copyright, legal, version number?
Copyright, legal, version number?

3. Lesson Title Goes Here
Relationships
An example of relationships within ecosystems is a food web.
The food web is currently balanced however what do you think would happen if:
The grizzly bear was over hunted
The marmot went extinct
The butterfly no longer existed
Image source:
Copyright, legal, version number?
Copyright, legal, version number?

4. Biodiversity is the variety of life in a specific ecosystem.
Lesson Title Goes Here
Biodiversity
What is Biodiversity ?
Biodiversity is the variety of life in a specific ecosystem.
Biodiversity can be studied on a small scale, studying one specific species in one specific area, or focused more broadly, such as the study of Canadian mammals.
Can you think of an example of a small scale study? And one of a larger scale study?
Image source:
Copyright, legal, version number?
Copyright, legal, version number?

5. Lesson Title Goes Here
Biodiversity
Biodiversity is one of the most difficult areas to study in science as the relationships are extremely connected and delicate.
It is difficult to identify where relationships begin and end and which species affect one another.
Image Source:
Copyright, legal, version number?
Copyright, legal, version number?

6. Why does Biodiversity Matter?
Lesson Title Goes Here
Why does Biodiversity Matter?
Without biodiversity a variety of organisms, ecosystems, and natural processes would not exist
E.g.; the production of air, the cycling of carbon and nitrogen
Humans are a part of and dependent on ecosystems
Image Source:
Copyright, legal, version number?
Copyright, legal, version number?

7. Why does Biodiversity Matter ?
Biodiversity is very important for the following reasons:
Species are:
Less likely to suffer from genetic diseases
More resistant to viral and bacterial infections
More likely to be adaptable to environmental change
Ecosystems have:
A greater ability to provide further ecosystem services
The ability to increase diversity between and among different species
Copyright, legal, version number?

8. Biodiversity in London
Lesson Title Goes Here
Biodiversity in London
Within the city and its surrounding areas there are a lot of different ecosystems which range from small neighborhoods to large conservation areas
London also has 8 environmentally significant areas which are home to many diverse species and a variety of unique ecosystem relationships
Can you name an environmentally significant area near your home?
Image source:
Copyright, legal, version number?
Copyright, legal, version number?

9. London’s Biodiversity Status
Lesson Title Goes Here
London’s Biodiversity Status
What do you think is the current status of biodiversity in London?
London currently suffers from a high rate of urbanization
Urbanization: rapid and massive growth of and migration to large cities
Urbanization causes:
High concentrations of populations
High energy consumption
Negative interactions with surrounding environments
Pollution
Heat islands
Flooding
Destruction of natural ecosystems
A decrease in biodiversity within the surrounding ecosystem
Image source:
Copyright, legal, version number?
Copyright, legal, version number?

10. A Local Biodiversity Issue:
Lesson Title Goes Here
A Local Biodiversity Issue:
THE CHIMNEY SWIFT
Image source:
Copyright, legal, version number?
Copyright, legal, version number?

11. Lesson Title Goes Here
The Chimney Swift
The chimney swift is a cm bird with a wingspan of cm
Swifts are acrobatic and able to catch insects during flight making them “aerial insectivores”
Image source:
Copyright, legal, version number?
Copyright, legal, version number?

12. The Chimney Swift The Swift lives in both urban and rural areas
Lesson Title Goes Here
The Chimney Swift
The Swift lives in both urban and rural areas
Enjoys nesting in vertical structures like chimneys, air vents, wells, and caves
They spend the summer in Canada and the winter in Peru and Chile
Map source:
Copyright, legal, version number?
Copyright, legal, version number?

13. Lesson Title Goes Here
The Chimney Swift
Each pair raises 3-5 nestlings during their breeding season
Adults use sticks and glue-like saliva to create nests for their young in vertical structures
The eggs take days to hatch and then babies stay in the nest till they are days old
Image source:
Copyright, legal, version number?
Copyright, legal, version number?

14. Lesson Title Goes Here
Chimney Swift Flight
The movement of a chimney swift is similar to how a fighter jet moves.
The chimney swift is named after its ability to quickly move through the air and in smaller spaces.
Chimney Swifts at South Secondary School in London Ontario:
Image source:
Copyright, legal, version number?
Copyright, legal, version number?

15. How to Identify a Chimney Swift
Lesson Title Goes Here
How to Identify a Chimney Swift
Size and shape
Colour pattern
Behaviour
Habitat
Song
Link for song:
Image Source:
Copyright, legal, version number?
Copyright, legal, version number?

16. Lesson Title Goes Here
Why Chimney Swifts?
Chimney Swifts are one of London’s many native species
Populations have reduced by 65%
Only 1% of the population now lives in Canada
The Chimney Swift is currently on the Species at Risk in Ontario list and is listed as “Threatened”
Image source:
Copyright, legal, version number?
Copyright, legal, version number?

17. Why Is The Population Declining ?
Lesson Title Goes Here
Why Is The Population Declining ?
Why do you think the population is declining?
Chimney capping
Logging of old growth forests
Use of pesticides
Lack of diversity within the population
Chimney image source:
Deforestation image source:
Pesticide image source:
Copyright, legal, version number?
Copyright, legal, version number?

18. Why Is The Chimney Swift Important?
It is one of many essential species in London’s ecosystems.
Contributes to an increased rate of biodiversity.
Species decline widely affects other species as they are an important link in the food chain and in the ecosystem.
Copyright, legal, version number?

19. Analyzing Chimney Swift Data
Lesson Title Goes Here
Analyzing Chimney Swift Data
Using the data provided, analyze the population data of Chimney Swifts in Ontario
Use the data to draw conclusions surrounding their habitat and population characteristics
Image Sources:
Copyright, legal, version number?
Copyright, legal, version number?

20. Case Study: Choose Your Own
Lesson Title Goes Here
Case Study: Choose Your Own
Images sourced from:
Copyright, legal, version number?
Copyright, legal, version number?

21. What did you think about the lesson?
What did you learn?
What did you love?
What do you want to learn more about?
What was boring?
How would you make the lesson better?
Copyright, legal, version number?