Biodiversity Web Quest - Ms. Abraham



Goal: To comprehend biodiversity and the key levels of: species, genetic, ecosystem and cultural diversity. To connect biodivisity, or loss of, to human population.Directions: Working with your lab partner and the web page titled “Biodiversity Everything Counts” What Is the Big Idea? (don’t forget to use the “next” button in this section)What is biodiversity and how many types are there?Why is biodiversity so important anyway? List seven reasons why biodiversity is so important. What can you do to help preserve biodiversity?Saving SpeciesScientist are not finding a diverse population of organism on the coral reefs in the Bahamas, why?What is so unique about Madagascar’s ecosystem?What is happening to the forest of Madagascar and what is the outcome?Why is saving the biodiversity on Madagascar so important?Why does Australia have such an unusual variety of spiders?Going Going GoneWhat are five reasons species are becoming extinct? Explain howWhat does it mean for a species to be extinct? Give an exampleHow do invasive species travel or spread to a different ecosystem? Give an example.What is Biodiversity?- Go to the “Global Issues – Biodiversity” web site. What is the definition this website gives for biodiversity?On this web site, scroll down and click on “Loss of Biodiversity and Extinctions”2. What is the current rate of extinction listed here (compared to the “background rate”?3. List three different statistics related to biodiversity that you find hereWhy does biodiversity matter?- Go to the Center for Biodiversity and Conservation web site: Scroll down to the paragraph labeled “Why is Biodiversity Important?”List five of the benefits of biodiversity that are listed here:1.2.3.4.5.Biodiversity Threats- Go to : . List and describe five examples of declining biodiversity listed here.a.b.c.d.e.What can you do?- Go to . List and describe five actions listed here that individuals can do to help create and support biodiversity?a.b.c.d.e.Go to the Spectrum of Life page- 5 major groups of organisms. For each group list the number of known species, where they live, and the ecological role and human uses1.2.3.4.5. Spend some time playing around this very cool websiteHuman Population WebQuestVisit the following websites below and use the information found to answer the questions pertaining to that website. Each person should have their own answers on their own paper.Population Clock:Use the following website: is the estimated population of the world and the United States? (0.5)World:US:Human Numbers Through Time:Click on the following website: the Interactive (click the map on the left)Copy the following chart on your paper and fill in the information: (2 points)YearHuman Population0 A.D.1000 1800192719601974198719992050Answer the following questions about the information that you read:In the 18th century what raised the living standards and spurred population growth? (0.5)In the mid 1900s, what profoundly increased human life expectancy? (0.5)When did the growth rate reach its all-time peak? What was the growth rate? (0.5)In the 1970s, where did most of the population explosion happen? (0.5)When was the 6-billionth baby born? (0.5)Where will nearly all of the further human population growth take place in the world? What is a foreseeable problem with this? (0.5)Developed vs. Developing Countries:On the Wikipedia website, look up the following information:What is a “developed” country? Characterize a developing country in terms of quality of life for the average citizen. (0.5)List 2 countries that are considered “developed.” (0.5)What is a “developing” country? Characterize a developing country in terms of quality of life for the average citizen. (0.5)List 2 countries that are considered to be “developing.” (hint: Check out the maps on the right side of the page.) (0.5)Global Trends Quiz:Click on the following link the quiz (click the picture of the earth)While taking the quiz, answer the following questions.What is replacement-level fertility? What is the fertility rate in European countries vs. less developed countries? (0.5)What is the average life expectancy for men and women in the developed world? (0.5)If the fertility rates in developing countries do not change, what will be the population in the developing world? (0.5)What is the correlation between women’s education and family size? (0.5)How many children under 15 are in the world? (0.5)Most environmental damage caused by people in the developed world is attributable to what? (Be specific.) (0.5)North Americans use how much more energy than Africans? (0.5)How many cars per 1,000 people are there in China? How will this change by 2025? (0.5)How many people in the world are undernourished? Where do most of the people live? (0.5)What is “carrying capacity”? What is the carrying capacity for humans? (0.5)Now, Go back to the population clock website from the beginning of the activity.What is the current world population? (0.5)What is the current US population? (0.5)By how much did each count increase? (0.5)Finally, write a paragraph to connect loss of biodiversity worldwide to exponential human population growth ................
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