Life’s Variety
Define biodiversity.
The variety of life in all its forms and levels, including genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity.
Name one way biodiversity contributes to ecosystem stability.
By supporting resilience to disturbances, like disease or climate change.
What is a biodiversity hotspot?
A region with high species richness and a large number of endemic species that is under threat.
Name one major threat to biodiversity.
Habitat loss, invasive species, overexploitation, pollution, climate change.
Name one example of local species in your area.
local birds, trees, or pollinators
Name the three levels of biodiversity.
Genetic, species, ecosystem.
Give an example of an ecosystem service provided by biodiversity.
Pollination, water purification, nutrient cycling.
Name one global biodiversity hotspot.
Amazon rainforest, Madagascar, Coral Triangle, etc.
What is an invasive species?
A non-native species that disrupts local ecosystems.
Name one local ecosystem.
wetlands, forests, grasslands, rivers
Compare species diversity to genetic diversity.
Species diversity refers to the variety of species in an area; genetic diversity refers to the variety of genes within a species.
Explain how biodiversity supports human well-being.
Provides food, medicine, raw materials, and cultural or recreational benefits.
Explain why some areas become biodiversity hotspots.
Stable climate, varied habitats, geographic isolation, and evolutionary history.
Explain how habitat fragmentation affects biodiversity.
Smaller, isolated populations are more vulnerable to extinction and genetic loss.
Explain why local biodiversity matters to your community.
Supports ecosystem services like clean water, pollination, recreation, and cultural values.
Explain why ecosystem diversity matters.
Different ecosystems provide unique habitats, resources, and ecological services.
Predict what might happen if a key species is lost from an ecosystem.
Ecosystem functions may decline, populations of other species may shift, and stability may decrease.
Compare biodiversity in tropical regions vs. temperate regions.
Tropical regions generally have higher species richness and more endemic species.
Predict the impact of overfishing on marine biodiversity.
Population declines, ecosystem imbalance, loss of dependent species.
Compare local and global biodiversity.
Local biodiversity is part of global biodiversity; global hotspots contain many rich local ecosystems.
Construct an explanation for how the three levels of biodiversity are interconnected.
Genetic diversity allows species to adapt; species diversity maintains ecosystem function; ecosystem diversity supports multiple species and genetic pools.
Construct an argument for why conserving biodiversity is critical to both ecosystems and human societies.
Biodiversity ensures ecosystem resilience and services that humans depend on; losing it threatens food security, health, and natural resources.
Predict how human activity could affect a biodiversity hotspot.
Deforestation, urbanization, pollution, or climate change can reduce species richness and ecosystem services.
Construct a plan to mitigate multiple threats to biodiversity in a given region.
Combine habitat protection, pollution control, sustainable resource use, and invasive species management.
Construct an argument for protecting local species and habitats.
Local species maintain ecosystem function, provide resources and cultural value, and contribute to global biodiversity.