General Biodiversity
Define Biodiversity
The variety of all living things, including genes, species, and ecosystems, as well as the ecological processes that link them.
Explain two ways that we can protect biodiversity.
• Establishing protected areas (parks, reserves).
• Reducing pollution and waste (3Rs: reduce, reuse, recycle).
• Supporting sustainable agriculture and fishing practices.
• Restoring damaged ecosystems.
• Raising awareness and educating others.
Name two pieces of evidence of animal life
feathers, tracks, nests, insects, scat, chewed leaves, acorn shells etc.
Define genetic diversity and give an example
variety of genes within a species
eg: breeds of dogs
Define Abiotic
Non-Living Parts of the Ecosystem
There are a few theories of what happened to the societal collapse of Easter Island. One theory is deforestation. Briefly explain what it is and how it may have happened on Easter Island
Deforestation - the permanent removal and destruction of forests, converting them to non-forest uses like agriculture, urban development, or logging for resources.
Name two plant species
trees, grass, weeds, shrubs, etc.
Define species diversity and give an example of a species
variety of species within an organism
eg: plants, animals, fungi, bacteria
living or once living components of a community
Explain how deforestation affects climate change
t significantly contributes to climate change by releasing stored carbon and reducing the absorption of greenhouse gases, which accelerates global warming.
Name two pieces of evidence of human impact (other than garbage)
trampled grass, footprints, invasive species, conservation efforts, planting trees etc.
a variety of ecosystems in a region
eg: forests, wetlands, grasslands
Briefly describe what Global Warming is.
the significant and unusually rapid rise in Earth's average surface temperature, primarily caused by the increasing concentration of greenhouse gases from human activities like burning fossil fuels. This warming traps heat in the atmosphere, leading to widespread changes in climate and ecosystems around the world.
Explain how deforestation leads to habitat loss
Deforestation destroys the forests that provide vital resources, like food, water, and shelter, for countless species. This loss of habitat directly removes the living spaces, breeding grounds, and food sources animals and plants depend on.
Explain two different ecological interactions
symbiosis (bees on flowers, fungi on trees), predator/prey signs (holes in leaves, insects caught in webs), competition (plants crowding each other, vines climbing a tree)
Briefly explain why biodiversity is important
• Provides ecosystem services (oxygen, food, water, pollination).
• Increases resilience of ecosystems against disturbances (climate change, disease).
• Supports economic resources (forestry, agriculture, medicine).
• Has cultural, recreational, and spiritual value for humans.
Give two examples of overexploitation
-overfishing
-poaching
-unsustainable logging
-conserve and restore natural habitats by establishing protected areas and reforesting
-consume sustainably by reducing waste and choosing eco-friendly products
-take action against climate change and pollution.
-At home, plant native species, control invasive pets, use organic gardening methods like composting, and reduce your overall environmental footprint by recycling and conserving energy.
rocks, water, soil, temperature, wind etc.
Briefly describe two threats to biodiversity
• Habitat loss (deforestation, urbanization).
• Pollution (air, water, soil contamination).
• Overexploitation (overfishing, poaching, unsustainable logging).
• Invasive species (non-native species disrupting ecosystems).
• Climate change (rising temperatures, extreme weather, ocean acidification).