Biodiversity and Environmental Changes

Biodiversity and Human Impacts

How have we impacted the ecosystem?

Biodiversity

• refers to the variety of life (plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms) on earth

• Biodiversity is typically greater near the equator

Poll

Why do you think biodiversity is important?

• A larger number of plant species means a greater variety of crops

• Healthy ecosystems can better withstand and recover from a variety of disasters

• biodiversity provides functioning ecosystems that supply oxygen, clean air and water, pollination of plants, pest control, wastewater treatment and many ecosystem services

Biodiversity is important because.......

• A larger number of plant species means a greater variety of crops

• biodiversity provides functioning ecosystems that supply oxygen, clean air and water, pollination of plants, pest control, wastewater treatment and many ecosystem services

• Healthy ecosystems can better withstand and recover from a variety of disasters.

Multiple Choice

Biodiversity is greatest near the _________

• North Pole

• Equator

• Switzerland

• None of these

Multiple Choice

Biodiversity refers to.........

• differences in plants

• differences in animals

• the variety of all life on earth

• animals located near the artic

Human Impact on Biodiversity

• Humans pose a great threat to biodiversity around the world:

• Degradation, destruction, and fragmentation of habitats

• Pollution and introduction of invasive species

Invasive Species refers to.......

• an organism that is not native to a particular area

• examples: Kudzu and lionfish

• invasive species disrupt the habitat

Multiple Choice

Do humans have an impact on biodiversity?

• yes

• no

Multiple Choice

An invasive species refers to

• an organism that is not native

• an organism that disrupts the ecosystem

• both of these are correct

Open Ended

What are some ways that humans negatively impact the environment? Name at least 2.