Theme 2: Biodiversity & Ecosystems

Topic: About Biodiversity

What is biodiversity?

Biodiversity is the variety of all living things. Break the word up and its meaning is revealed - 'bio' (living things) and diversity (variety).

All organisms rely on other life forms for their existence. Organisms that use oxygen for respiration rely on plants for oxygen production. Their food comes from plants, animals and fungi. Any change in the numbers of one species will affect other species.

The term biodiversity is also often used to describe the diversity of organisms within a particular area. The 'local' biodiversity is of concern when human activity encroaches on habitats. This often pushes one or more species out of the area, and in some cases, it may also cause local or the complete extinction of a species.

Australia is in a fairly unique position in the world as it contains a huge variety of different species of plants and animals (an estimated 475,000 of the earth's 10 to 30 million species). Australia is one of only 12 'mega diverse' countries and the only one that is considered a 'developed' country.

The disappearance of is biodiversity?

Worldwide, more than 10,000 species become extinct every year and while precise calculation is difficult, it is certain that this rate has increased alarmingly in recent years. The central cause of species extinction is the destruction of natural habitats by human beings.

Student Activity Ideas

• Students to draw a picture of a local bird, mammal, reptile or macroinvertebrate.
• Students to prepare an information card about that animal's habitat by researching the answers to the following four questions:
  - What type of animal am I?
  - What do I like to eat?
  - What likes to eat me?
  - Where do I like to live?
  To make this activity more challenging, delete the names of the animals on the cards and ask students to look them up based on appearance only. Laminate the information cards to build a lasting set of the biodiversity of the local area. Make more cards as more biodiversity is discovered. Information cards can be used for future games.

Enquiry Learning

• What is biodiversity?
• What value does biodiversity have in food resources, tourism and medicine now and in the future?
• Why is maintaining biodiversity so important?
• What is causing the extinction of so many species?
• Imagine a world without biodiversity

Internet Resources

Type	Description	Resources Covering the Topic
Easy	Food Webs. Online activities and resources.	Gould League www.gould.edu.au/foodwebs/ foodwebs_p.htm
	South Australian Urban Forest Biodiversity Program. Provides links to information on what biodiversity is and why we should value it.	South Australian Urban Forest Biodiversity Program www.urbanforest.on.net/main.htm
	What is Biodiversity? Lots of fact sheets about Australian biodiversity issues.	Australian Museum Online www.amonline.net.au/biodiversity/ what/index.htm
	Building Biodiversity. Looks at what is biodiversity is.	Greening Australia www.greeningaustralia.org.au/GA/NAT/ OnGroundAction/CombatingTheCrisis/ Biodiversity/
	Biodiversity - why it is so important. Fact sheet and lesson ideas. PDF download.	Onkaparinga Catchment Water Management Board www.onkaparinga.net/education/ downloads/folder_1/ 14i_biodiversity.pdf
More Comprehensive	Biodiversity and its Value. Explains genetic, ecosystem and species diversity and much more.	Environment Australia www.ea.gov.au/biodiversity/ publications/series/paper1/index.html
	What is Biodiversity? Why is it important?	SA Parks and Wildlife www.environment.sa.gov.au/parks/ bio_education.html
	South Australia's Marine Biodiversity.	SA Department of Environment and Heritage www.deh.sa.gov.au/coasts/ marine_biodiversity.html
	Aquatic Biodiversity. Describes all of the different types of aquatic biodiversity.	EPA NSW www.epa.nsw.gov.au/soe/soe2000/ bb/bb_3.htm#bb_3_h091
	Ecosystem Biodiversity in Australia.	MESA www.mesa.edu.au/seaweek99/ tr_04.htm
	Biodiversity. Plants and animals, sustainable use, threatened species and more.	SA Government Department of Environment and Heritage www.environment.sa.gov.au/biodiversity
	The value of preserving South Australia's marine biodiversity.	SA Government Department of Environment and Heritage www.deh.sa.gov.au/coasts/ marine_biodiversity.html
More Complex	Biodiversity, the Most Fundamental Issue. Speech given by the eminent Thomas J Lovejoy that looks at the issue of biodiversity.	Environment Australia www.ea.gov.au/biodiversity/ publications/articles/lovejoy.html
	Comprehensive arguments for the value of conservation including the value of biodiversity. Examines real dollar value of nature.	Biodiversity and Conservation darwin.bio.uci.edu/~sustain/bio65/ lec07/b65lec07.htm#Environmental%20Services

Activities

Band	Activity	Contact
Early Years	Our Patch and Catchment Care Programs. Run by the Patawalonga and Torrens, Onkaparinga and North Adelaide and arossa Catchment Water Management Boards. Programs assist students in learning about biodiversity issues and assist in activities that address associated environmental problems.	SA Catchment Water Management Boards www.catchments.net
	Create a Habitat. Explores the key concepts of creating a habitat.	Onkaparinga Catchment Water Management Board www.onkaparinga.net/downloads/ own/create_hab.doc
	Act-a-Catchment. Students role play living in a catchment and learn about the variety of impacts that human society has on their local catchment.	Onkaparinga Catchment Water Management Board www.onkaparinga.net/downloads/ own/act_a_catch.doc
	What do I need to survive? Activity that explores what native animals like to eat and need for shelter.	Onkaparinga Catchment Water Management Board www.onkaparinga.net/education/ downloads/folder_2/3a_survive.pdf
Primary Years	Our Patch and Catchment Care Programs. Run by the Patawalonga and Torrens, Onkaparinga and North Adelaide and Barossa Catchment Water Management Boards. Programs assist students in learning about biodiversity issues and assist in activities that address associated environmental problems.	SA Catchment Water Management Boards www.catchments.net
	Biowhat? Kit. A starter kit for primary schools, to conserve and promote biodiversity in their school community.	South Australian Urban Forest Biodiversity Program www.urbanforest.on.net/ schools.htm
	River Habitats. Classroom and outdoor activity session that focus on what habitats are, why they are important, different habitat types and conducting habitat surveys. Lower Murray region only.	River Murray Waterwatch www.lm.net.au/~sacare/ waterwatch/index.html
	Food Webs. Primary school activities and teacher notes.	Gould League www.gould.edu.au/foodwebs/ foodwebs_p.htm
	Lots of activities, descriptions and facts about different habitats of the world.	Enchanted Learning www.enchantedlearning.com/ biomes/pond/pondlife.shtml
	Guided walks, education officer assisted lessons, hands on kits, special events and Aboriginal guides for indigenous plant use walks.	Botanic Gardens Education www.environment.sa.gov.au/ botanicgardens/education.html
Middle Years	Our Patch and Catchment Care Programs. Run by the Patawalonga and Torrens, Onkaparinga and North Adelaide Barossa Catchment Water Management Boards. Programs assist students in learning about biodiversity issues and assist in activities that address associated environmental problems.	SA Catchment Water Management Boards www.catchments.net
	Food Webs. Secondary school activities and teacher notes.	Gould League www.gould.edu.au/foodwebs/ foodwebs_s.htm
	River Habitats. Classroom and outdoor activity session that focuses on what habitats are, why they are important, different types and conducting habitat surveys. Lower Murray region only.	River Murray Waterwatch www.lm.net.au/~sacare/ waterwatch/index.html
	A range of River Murray habitats activities to do in the classroom. Download and print off sheets to participate. Many activities for the Middle years.	The Murray Urban Users Committee www.murrayusers.sa.gov.au/ teaching_resources.htm#Primary%20Years%20BandYear%203-Year%205
	Guided Walks. Education officer assisted lessons, hands on kits, special events and Aboriginal guides for indigenous plant use walks.	SA Government Botanic Gardens www.environment.sa.gov.au/ botanicgardens/education.html

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