LT: I can explain why biodiversity is important.
Notes:
What is Biodiversity?
Biodiversity= # of species (richness)/ # of individuals
(abundance)
Species Richness=# of species (fox, moose, robin)=3
Species Abundance=# of individuals of each type of
species (2 fox, 1 moose, 5 robins)=8
Biological
diversity: the variety, of plants and animals and other living things in a SPECIFIC area or region.
*For instance,
the species that inhabit Los Angeles are different from those in San Francisco,
and desert plants and animals have different characteristics and needs than
those in the mountains, even though some of the same species can be found in
all of those areas.
Biodiversity also means the number, or abundance of different species living within a particular region.
In practice, "biodiversity" suggests sustaining the diversity of species in each ecosystem as we plan human activities that affect the use of the land and natural resources.
Why is biodiversity important?
Everything that lives in an ecosystem is part of the web of life, including humans. Each species of vegetation and each creature has a place on the earth and plays a vital role in the circle of life. Plant, animal, and insect species interact and depend upon one another for what each offers, such as food, shelter, oxygen, and soil enrichment.
Biodiversity also means the number, or abundance of different species living within a particular region.
In practice, "biodiversity" suggests sustaining the diversity of species in each ecosystem as we plan human activities that affect the use of the land and natural resources.
Why is biodiversity important?
Everything that lives in an ecosystem is part of the web of life, including humans. Each species of vegetation and each creature has a place on the earth and plays a vital role in the circle of life. Plant, animal, and insect species interact and depend upon one another for what each offers, such as food, shelter, oxygen, and soil enrichment.
------------------------------------------
Biodiversity Calculations
Name _____________________________________
Date ___________________ Class Period: _________________
LT: I can explain why
biodiversity is important
Biodiversity
Definition:
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Part 1: Why is Biodiversity Important?
Habitats that have a greater variety of
different species of plants and animals have a greater biodiversity. These
habitats are also healthier and more stable. One reason diverse communities
have greater levels of health is that organisms of the same species tend to be
more spread out. This reduces the ability of a disease to spread throughout a
habitat. Additionally, if a certain type of species of tree or plant does
become infected, the other species will remain and continue to provide the
habitat components for the organisms in that area.
In an area consisting of monoculture,
an area with only one type of plant species growing, the plants are more
susceptible to disease and other stresses because they are all the same and
less spread out (no other types of plants between them). As a result, [the
entire habitat can be dramatically altered when impacted by disease or other
stresses]. Human-made monocultures (crops, etc.) are created to make harvesting
easier. However, they typically require larger amounts of pesticides and
herbicides (to prevent diseases and/or “weeds”) and larger amounts of energy
and labor to maintain before harvesting.
Based on the
reading, what are two reasons biodiversity is important?
1.
2.
How do I calculate the biodiversity in an area?
Biodiversity= # of species (richness)/ # of
individuals (abundance)
Species Richness=# of species (fox, moose, robin)=3
Species Abundance=# of individuals of each type of species (2 fox, 1
moose, 5 robins)=8
EXAMPLE
|
# of species (fox, mouse, rabbit, elk, bald eagle)
|
5
|
|
# of individuals
--1 fox
--5 mice
--2 rabbit
--1 elk
--1 bald eagle
|
10
|
Biodiversity=5
species/10 individuals= 0.5
Let’s look at
the table below and figure out the Species Richness and Species Abundance for
Field A and Field B.
Practice Together:
|
|
Field A
|
Field B
|
|
Animal Species Richness
|
Mice, hare,
bees, ants, beetles, voles
|
Beetle
|
|
Animal Species Abundance
|
Mouse-20,
hare-15, bees-45, ants-100, beetles-75, voles, 35
|
Beetle-300
|
*Field A Species Richness=__________________________________
*Field A Species Abundance=_______________________________
*Field B Species Richness=_________________________________
*Field B Species Abundance=______________________________
Now let’s figure
out the Diversity Index…
|
|
Pine Forest
|
Rainforest
|
|
Plant Species Richness
|
20
|
100
|
|
Plant Species Abundance
|
102
|
455
|
*Pine Forest Diversity:
______________________________________________________=
*Rainforest:
______________________________________________________=
*The closer to 1.0 it is, the higher the
biodiversity.*
--Which has more
biodiversity, the pine forest or the rain forest? How do you know?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
With a partner….
|
|
Field A
|
Field B
|
|
Animal Species Richness
|
Crow,
squirrel, rabbit
|
Moose, deer,
coyote, mice, dragonfly, Canada goose
|
|
Animal Species Abundance
|
Crow-5,
squirrel-10, rabbit-6
|
Moose-2,
deer-10, coyote-12, mice-55, dragonfly-30, Canada goose-20
|
*Field A Species Richness=__________________________________
*Field A Species Abundance=_______________________________
*Field B Species Richness=_________________________________
*Field B Species Abundance=______________________________
Now let’s figure
out the Diversity Index…
|
|
Grassland
|
Desert
|
|
Plant Species Richness
|
25
|
15
|
|
Plant Species Abundance
|
275
|
275
|
*Grassland:
______________________________________________________=
*Desert:
______________________________________________________=
--Which has more
biodiversity, the grassland or the desert? How do you know?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Yourself!
|
|
Forest Plot A
|
Forest Plot B
|
|
Animal Species Richness
|
Gorilla, mandrill,
scorpion, ants, beetles, python, rainforest bird
|
Gorilla,
mandrill, scorpion, ants, beetles
|
|
Animal Species Abundance
|
300
|
250
|
*Forest A Species Richness=__________________________________
*Forest A Species Abundance=_______________________________
*Forest B Species Richness=_________________________________
*Forest B Species Abundance=______________________________
Now fill in the
chart below and figure out the Diversity Index for the numbers you have from
the above problem…
|
|
Forest A
|
Forest B
|
|
Animal Species Richness
|
|
|
|
Animal Species Abundance
|
|
|
*Forest A:
______________________________________________________=
*Forest B:
______________________________________________________=
--Which has more
biodiversity, Forest A or Forest B? How do you know?
