Biodiversity and Humans - Exploring Nature Science

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LS2.C: Ecosystem Dynamics, Functioning, and ResilienceLS4.D: Biodiversity and Humans

9-12 Grade BundleFrom Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics

This bundle includes 12 high school resources addressing these standards, including: Reading, Color Diagrams, 2D Model Building, Authentic Performance, Critical Thinking, Design Projects, etc. (32 pages total). Copyright © 2019 Sheri Amsel • All rights reserved by author. Permission to copy for classroom use only. Electronic distribution limited to classroom use only.

Resources included in this Next Generation Science Standards Bundle include:• Next Generation Science Standards covered in this Bundle.• Rubric Building Resource1) Biodiversity and Humans - Reading (1 page)2) Species Diversity - Reading and Color Diagram (2 pages)3) Genetic Diversity - Reading and A Population of Caribou - Color Diagram (2 pages)4) Ecosystem Diversity - Reading and Color Diagram of Keystone Species - American Alligator (2 pp)5) Green Home Building Worksheet - Reducing Human Impact Critical Thinking andHow Do Humans Affect Their Environment When Building New Houses? Color Diagram (2 pages)6) Housing and Environmental Changes - Cause and Effect Critical Thinking (2 page)7) Rain Gardens - Protecting Waterways - Design Project, with a Color Poster (2 pages)8) Turtles and Environmental Changes - Authentic Performance with Some Answers (2 pages) 9) Biodiversity of a Tide Pool - Inquiry Activity (8 pages) 10) Protecting Coral Reefs Reading and Design a Solution (2 pages)11) Effect of Human Development on Sea Turtles - Authentic Performance with Some Answers (2 pp) 12) Rewilding Yellowstone Worksheet - Ecosystem Diversity Critical Thinking (1 page)

NEXT GENERATION SCIENCE STANDARDSDisciplinary Core IdeasLS4.D: Biodiversity and Humans • Biodiversity is increased by the formation of new species (speciation) and decreased by the loss of species (extinction). (secondary to HS-LS2-7)

• Humans depend on the living world for the resources and other benefits provided by biodiversity. But human activity is also having adverse impacts on biodiversity through overpopulation, overexploitation, habitat destruction, pollution, introduction of invasive species, and climate change. Thus sustaining biodiversity so that ecosystem functioning and productivity are maintained is essential to supporting and enhancing life on Earth. Sustaining biodiversity also aids humanity by preserving landscapes of recreational or inspirational value. (secondary to HS-LS2-7) (Note: This Disciplinary Core Idea is also addressed by HS-LS4-6.)

LS2.C: Ecosystem Dynamics, Functioning, and Resilience• Moreover, anthropogenic changes (induced by human activity) in the environment—including habitat destruction, pollution, introduction of invasive species, overexploitation, and climate change—can disrupt an ecosystem and threaten the survival of some species.

ETS1.B: Developing Possible Solutions• When evaluating solutions it is important to take into account a range of constraints including cost, safety, reliability and aesthetics and to consider social, cultural and environmental impacts. (secondary)

Crosscutting ConceptsStability and Change• Much of science deals with constructing explanations of how things change and how they remain stable.

Science and Engineering PracticesConstructing Explanations and Designing SolutionsConstructing explanations and designing solutions in 9–12 builds on K–8 experiences and progresses to explanations and designs that are supported by multiple and independent student-generated sources of evidence consistent with scientific ideas, principles, and theories.• Design, evaluate, and refine a solution to a complex real-world problem, based on scientific knowledge, student-generated sources of evidence, prioritized criteria, and tradeoff considerations.

Performance Expectations:Students who demonstrate understanding can:HS-LS2-7. Design, evaluate, and refine a solution for reducing the impacts of human activities on the environment and biodiversity.* [Clarification Statement: Examples of human activities can include urbanization, building dams, and dissemination of invasive species.]

©Sheri Amsel www.exploringnature.org

Rubric Building Resource:*Observable features of student performance by the end of the grade:

LS2.C: Ecosystem Dynamics, Functioning, and ResilienceLS4.D: Biodiversity and Humans

1. Using scientific knowledge to generate the design solutiona. Students design a solution that involves reducing the negative effects of human activities on the environment and biodiversity, and that relies on scientific knowledge of the factors affecting changes and stability in biodiversity. Examples of factors include but are not limited to: i. Overpopulation ii. Overexploitation iii. Habitat destruction iv. Pollution v. Introduction of invasive species vi. Changes in climateb. Students describe the ways the proposed solution decreases the negative effects of human activity on the environment and biodiversity.

2. Describing criteria and constraints, including quantification when appropriatea. Students describe and quantify (when appropriate) the criteria (amount of reduction of impacts and human activities to be mitigated) and constraints (for example, cost, human needs, and environmental impacts) for the solution to the problem, along with the trade offs in the solution.

3. Evaluating potential solutionsa. Students evaluate the proposed solution for its impact on overall environmental stability and changes.b. Students evaluate the cost, safety, and reliability, as well as social, cultural, and environmental impacts, of the proposed solution for a select human activity that is harmful to an ecosystem.

4. Refining and/or optimizing the design solutiona. Students refine the proposed solution by prioritizing the criteria and making trade offs as necessary to further reduce environmental impact and loss of biodiversity while addressing human needs.

*provided by the NGSS website

©Sheri Amsel • www.exploringnature.org

Biodiversity and HumansBiodiversity is the rich variability among living organisms. This includes organisms that live in all ecosystems - on land, in the ocean, in freshwater habitats, underground, and even those managed by humans – agricultural crops, nature preserves, national and urban parks. Biodiversity increases with the formation of new species – speciation and is decreases by the loss of species - extinction.

Biodiversity is important for many reasons: 1) A diverse biological community helps keep an ecosystem healthy with stable populations, food webs and the ability to survive changes. 2) Stable ecosystems benefit humans as they provide resources that have a financial value – foods, medicines, energy, recreation, and tourism. 3) Biologically, diverse, stable habitats also benefit humans with what some scientists call ecological services. These are not easy to put a price tag on, but without them humans cannot survive on Earth. They include nutrient cycling, soil development, decomposition, oxygen production, carbon dioxide absorption, and carbon storage, among other things. The more biodiversity in an ecosystem, the more ecological services it provides. Losing these ecological services will eventually affect humans in ways we cannot ignore.

Biodiversity is complex. It is most often broken down in three ways: 1) the number of different species or species diversity in an ecosystem,2) the genetic variability within a population of species or genetic diversity, and 3) the variability and distribution of species throughout a whole ecosystem - ecosystem diversity.

There are many threats to biodiversity created by humans (anthropogenic changes). As our population grows, we see an increase in habitat destruction, over harvesting of habitat resources, overfishing of marine and freshwater fisheries, an increase in tourism – which can lead to habitat damage, introduction of invasive species which can out compete native species, an increase in pollution, and over all growing climate change. Humans are working to develop ways to address these issues in their communities and around the world to preserve a rich, vital, and healthy planet for generations to come. One way to play a role in this important process is to understand biodiversity, the reasons it is important, the things that threaten it, and the ways we can try to mitigate it over time.


Species DiversityBiodiversity is the number of different species in a biological community – which can be as small as the organisms living in a single tree or a whole forest biome. This is also referred to as species richness.

Rainforests have always been held up as the ecosystem with the most species diversity, though not all the species have even been identified yet in these rich habitats. In addition, through photosynthesis, rainforests absorb massive amounts of carbon dioxide, which helps offset the effects of climate change, and release lots of oxygen that circulates around the planet. Scientists estimate that rainforests provide between 10-20% of all the oxygen on Earth. Like a great green sponge, rainforests also absorb and release water, keeping the local climates moist with regular precipitation and healthy aquifers. The regular cycling and decomposition of leaves and other organic matter keeps the soil rich and healthy for the continued growth of massive trees. Rainforests are a great resource for foods, medicines, and timber. These are just some of the rainforests’ huge value in ecological services to humans.

Sadly, rainforests are also experiencing the fastest growing destruction of any habitat - so called anthropogenic changes. They are harvested for wood and other resources or simply burned and converted into agricultural land. In 2019, scientists identified more than 74,000 fires burning in the Amazon Rainforests of South America. As the rainforests burn, the regions loses it ability to absorb carbon dioxide and instead is adding more carbon to the atmosphere - increasing greenhouse gases instead of helping to counter it. In addition, the moisture holding affect of the forests is lost and the region becomes drier, which increases the likelihood of more fires.

Habitat loss has a major affect on biodiversity and species richness and it’s not just rainforests that are affected. Habitats of all kinds around the world are being destroyed as our world population grows. Plowed and developed prairies, drained wetlands, and clearcut forests leave only small isolated pieces of natural communities that can’t support healthy, stable populations. This puts them at huge risk, because they lack the rich biodiversity of species that create the healthy, complex, organization of a working ecosystem. Reducing the impacts of human activities on the environment and on biodiversity will become more vital over time as our population continues to rise, world resources dwindle, and climate change increases.


©Sheri Amselwww.exploringnature.org

Species Diversity - A Tropical Rainforest Tropical rainforests are the habitats with the most biodiversity on Earth. They support more species richness than any other kind of ecosystem. They are also experiencing the most habitat destruction. Rainforests are harvested for wood and other resources or burned and converted into farmland. If allowed to continue, this will result in significant species extinction andloss of biodiversity.

Rainforests absorb massive amounts of carbon dioxide.

Rainforests provide between 10-20% of all Earth’s oxygen.

Rainforests absorb and release water, keeping the local climates moist with regular precipitation and healthy aquifers.

Regular cycling and decomposition of leaves and other organic matter keeps the soil rich and healthy.

Rainforests are a great resource for foods, medicines, and timber.

Genetic DiversityThe genetic variability within a species is important to understand as well. A population is any group of the same species that lives in one location together, such as herd of caribou. All populations, even though they are the same species, have some genetic variability. This allows them to survive change – whether is it from disease, climate change, scarcity of food or predator pressures. Generally, the larger the population of organisms, which have more genetic variability, the lower the risk.

For example, a herd of caribou is a population of animals that are all the same species, but have some genetic variability. This variation may show up in the form of various traits, such as longer legs (that might help them escape from predators), larger antlers (to defend themselves from predators and compete for a mate), bigger, hairier feet (that would help them save energy by being able to run across the snow without breaking through) or thicker fur (to help stay warm). Any of these traits might lead to a longer life.

If a trait helps an animal survive, it is called an adaptive trait. Adaptive traits can help an animal find food, make a safer home, escape predators, survive cold, heat or lack of water. A caribou with a longer life can produce more young over its lifetime. Some of their helpful adaptive traits are passed onto their young. These are called inheritable traits and will help their young survive and have more young of their own. Over time, more and more of the caribou in this population will inherit these adaptive traits. This is called differential reproduction.

Changes in a population through differential reproduction, which helps the group survive, is an example of natural selection. Natural selection can lead to the adaptive traits showing up in more and more of a population as time goes by, making the herd stronger and increasing its chance of survival over time. This is the powerful result of genetic variability.

Natural selection can also lead to speciation. For example, if one group of caribou got separated from the herd (e.g. on an island), over thousands of years, natural selection might result in so many changes that they develop into a new species. This is called speciation. Speciation takes a long time and is much less common than extinction.


Genetic Diversity - A Population of CaribouGenetic diversity within a population of animals allows them to survive change – whether is it from disease, climate change, scarcity of food or predator pressures. In a herd of caribou, the genetic diversity may show up in the form of various traits, such as longer legs (that might help it escape from predators), larger antlers (to defend from predators and compete for a mate), bigger, hairier feet (that would help it save energy by being able to run across the snow without breaking through) or thicker fur (to help stay warm). Any of these traits might lead to a longer life. If a trait helps an animal survive, it is called an adaptive trait. A longer life leads to more offspring, some of which would carry on the adaptive trait. This is called differential reproduction. Changes in a population through differential reproduction, which helps the group survive, is an example of natural selection. Natural selection can lead to the adaptive traits showing up in more and more of a population as time goes by, making the herd stronger and increasing its chance of survival over time. This is the powerful result of genetic variability.

Long legs to run faster and escape predators.

Bigger, hairier feet to help save energy by being able to run across the snow without breaking through.

Larger antlers to defend themselves from predators and compete for a mate.

Thicker fur to protect from the cold.


Genetic Diversity and Adaptive Traits:

Ecosystem DiversityThe variability and distribution of species throughout a whole ecosystem is genetic richness on a larger scale. This kind of biodiversity is harder to measure as it is affected by: a) how many different communities are in the area – a community is many different populations of species living in one area and interacting with each other and the physical environment, b) how big they are, c) their distribution, and d) how they are interacting with each other.

Many of the different populations of organisms in a community affect each other in ways that might not be readily apparent. Losing one species may well affect the other populations in the community. For example, The American alligator, found in freshwater habitats of the southeastern U.S., was once thought to be a dangerous pest. Fishermen thought they were eating all the game fish. They were hunted so aggressively, that by 1965, they became an endangered species on the verge of extinction. Then, as the alligators disappeared, people began to notice that instead of better fishing, all the game fish were disappearing. Biologists confirmed that the alligators’ favorite prey, a large fish, called a gar, had been having a population boom. With no alligators to eat them, the gar numbers were rising and they were eating all the game fish. The loss of the alligator had changed the delicate balance of that ecosystem. Biologists call the American alligator a keystone species, because it has a major influence in balancing its ecosystem’s biodiversity.

Ecosystem diversity also takes into account the physical environment. When wolves were reintroduced into Yellowstone Park, they reduced the elk population, which had overpopulated the park and eaten back all the willow, aspen and cottonwoods. The wolves also kept the elk herds moving so they could not over browse any one area. In just a few years, the trees came back and then the beaver returned. The beavers created dams and changed the waterways. This created habitat for more fish, waterfowl, songbirds and other animals. In a relatively short period, Yellowstone Park’s physical environment had changed, its ecosystems had become more robust and the biodiversity had increased. Reintroducing apex predators, like the Yellowstone wolves, to restore sustainable diversity to an ecosystem is called rewilding. See the Rewilding Yellowstone Worksheet - Ecosystem Diversity Critical Thinking to create a 2D model of this successful example of biodoversity recovery.

©Sheri Amsel www.exploringnature.org

Found in the southeastern U.S., they are the biggest reptile in North America – reaching 15 feet long and 1,000 pounds. Alligators were showing up in people’s swimming pools and on golf courses. Fishermen worried that they were eating all the game fish that they liked to catch.

Ecosystem Diversity and Keystone Species - The American Alligator

As the alligators disappeared, something unexpected happened. People began to notice that instead of better fishing, all the game fish they liked to catch seemed to be disappearing. What was eating them?

The American alligator was once thought to be a dangerous pest.

So, alligators were hunted. They were hunted so aggressively, that by 1965, they became an endangered species on the verge of extinction.


Biologists confirmed that the alligators’ favorite food, a large fish, called a gar, had been having a population boom. With no alligators to eat the gar, their numbers were rising and they were eating all the game fish. The loss of the alligator had changed the ecosystem.

Biologists now call the American alligator a “keystone species.” This means that it has a major influence on balancing its ecosystem.

How Do Humans Affect Their Environment When Building New Houses?In developing a plan for building your new home, consider the many facets of the design that will reduce your impact on the environment and protect biodiversity of local habitats.


Allow wildlife to take shelter in your yard to hide from predators and raise young.

Birds will build nests in the trees.

Building a New House.

Animals will eat and collect tree seeds.

Some of the seeds buried by animals will sprout into new trees.

Plant a garden that will benefit birds, butterflies, bees and other animals.

Leave as many trees as you can and plant more.

Don’t use pesticides or herbicides in your yard.

Use green energy sources when you can, instead of burning oil or coal.

Recycle, compost, try to avoid single-use plastics and never litter.

Landscape to minimize water use and mowing and to attract beneficial wildlife (butterflies and hummingbirds).

Green Home Building Worksheet - Reducing Human Impact Critical ThinkingYou have purchased a piece of forested land on which you plan to build a house. The forest is home to a diverse community of animals and plants that will be affected by your construction. Think of ways that you can create a comfortable home while minimizing the impact on the forest’s biodiversity. Consider home construction space and materials, energy use, landscaping options to reduce mowing, water use, fertilizer use, and pesticide use, waste removal, etc. Use the space below to write out some ideas for your future home before developing a large diagram of your future home and yard. See the How Do Humans Affect their Environment When Building New Houses diagram for ideas. How will you minimize impact on the forest habitat when you:

1) Design the shape of your house: _____________________________________________________________

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2) Pick the materials to use to build your house: __________________________________________________

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3) Choose the heating, cooling and electricity source for your house: __________________________________

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4) Landscape your yard: _____________________________________________________________________

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5) Dispose of waste: ________________________________________________________________________

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Performance Expectations: Students who demonstrate understanding can: HS-LS2-7. Design, evaluate, and refine a solution for reducing the impacts of human activities on the environment and biodiversity. ©Sheri Amsel


Housing and Environmental Changes - Cause and EffectWhen a forest is cleared for a housing development, it displaces the organisms that live there, decreasing biodiversity. Yet some species can live in human communities and still thrive. Research the animals/plants below and, using the four statements as a guide complete the worksheet.

1) They would survive and reproduce well in the changed environment.

2) They would leave to find a new forested location.

3) They would move into the changed environment from elsewhere.

4) They would die out as a result of this change to the environment.

black bear

gray squirrel

gray treefrog

hummingbirds

raccoon

wolves

bald eagle

ladyslippers


Housing and Environmental Changes - Cause and Effect WorksheetPredict how developing a forested area into housing will affect some species of living things. 1) Speculate what would happen to each as a result of this changed environment. 2) Suggest some ways to make development less harmful to populations of wild organisms.3) Share a memory about a wild animal you’ve seen in the community where you live and how it made you feel.

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LS2.C: Ecosystem Dynamics, Functioning, and Resilience - Moreover, anthropogenic changes (induced by human activity) in the environment—including habitat destruction, pollution, introduction of invasive species, overexploitation, and climate change—can disrupt an ecosystem and threaten the survival of some species.

Rain Gardens - Protecting Waterways - Design ProjectWhen building houses and paving roads, driveways and sidewalks, we create pathways for litter, debris and pollutants to run off into storm drains, rivers and lakes. This can also cause erosion that damages infrastructure. One solution that is gaining traction with some developers is the creation of rain gardens. Rain gardens are low lying areas landscaped and designed to capture and filter storm water and allow it to slowly soak into the ground. This reduces erosion, street flooding, and pollutants (from roofing shingles, asphalt, fertilized lawns, septic systems, etc.) from flowing into waterways. It can also reduce the cost of installing expensive drainage systems in new developments. Planted with native species, rain gardens can provide important habitat for birds, butterflies and other insects and be a pretty addition to a community (or school yard).

Design a potential rain garden for your community or school. Here are some ideas. Do some research online into other rain gardens build by communities around the country (or world). Consider a location that is slightly lower than housing and paved areas, but not too close to a wetlands or waterways. You can use google maps to look for a likely spot on town or school land or near where you live (not on private property). When designing the shape and look of your rain garden, choose native plants that will benefit local wildlife. Draw a map overview of its location and design. For some step by step directions: https://www.exploringnature.org/db/view/Build-a-Rain-Garden



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Turtles and Environmental Changes - Authentic PerformanceYou are a zoologist and curator for a wild animal park that features a large pond with several species of turtles. The landscaping department wants to replace the sandy banks around the pond with a decorative rock garden covered in a thick layer of pretty stones and sculptures. Using what you know about how turtles reproduce, how would this change to the turtles’ environment affect their life cycle? If they decide to make the change, would you expect ot affect the population of turtles in the exhibit over time? How might it affect the population of fish in the pond that the turtles eat?

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Performance Expectations: Students who demonstrate understanding can: HS-LS2-7. Design, evaluate, and refine a solution for reducing the impacts of human activities on the environment and biodiversity.

Turtles lay their eggs on land, digging down into the soft soil or sand near the water’s

edge. If the landscaping department lays down rock on the banks of the pond, the

turtles will have to travel further away seeking soft soil for burying their eggs. If they

cannot find a place to lay their eggs in the confines of their enclosure, there will be no

baby turtles that year. Over time the turtles will die out. This may also affect the fish

population in the pond on which the snapping turtles feed. Their populations would

increase with the disappearance of the turtles. The plants on which the painted turtles

feed might increase as well.

Turtles and Environmental Changes - Authentic Performance KEYYou are a zoologist and curator for a wild animal park that features a large pond with several species of turtles. The landscaping department wants to replace the sandy banks around the pond with a decorative rock garden covered in a thick layer of pretty stones and sculptures. Using what you know about how turtles reproduce, how would this change to the turtles’ environment affect their life cycle? If they decide to make the change, would you expect ot affect the population of turtles in the exhibit over time? How might it affect the population of fish in the pond that the turtles eat?

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Performance Expectations: Students who demonstrate understanding can: HS-LS2-7. Design, evaluate, and refine a solution for reducing the impacts of human activities on the environment and biodiversity.

Biodiversity of a Tide Pool Habitat - Inquiry ActivityIn this activity, students will look at two study sites in a tide pool habitat and calculate their biodiversity index.

Goal:Students will get experience calculating a simple biodiversity index using a tide pool as a sample habitat.

Directions:In this activity, students will examine 8 sections of a tide pool habitat study site. 1) They will use the identification key to identify and record the species in each section of the study site. 2) They will count (and record on the worksheet) the number of each species in each section of the two study sites and on how many sections they are found on each study site (if an organism crosses into two sections, count it in the section where more of it is found).3) They will then total the number of each species on the whole study site.4) They will use this information to calculate a basic biodiversity index for the tide pool habitat using the work-sheets provided.5) The students can then speculate on the overall health of the two tide pool study areas.

Learning ObjectivesUpon completion of this activity, students will:1) be able to define biodiversity,2) understand why biodiversity is important to ecosystem health,3) visually identify species found in a tide pool habitat,4) calculate tide zone habitat’s biodiversity level using a simple equation, and5) speculate on the overall health of a tide pool habitat.


Acorn Barnacle (Balanus glandula) are common Pacific Northwest barnacles found in high and mid-intertidal zones. The dangling cirri extend out of the opening (operculum) to grab tiny plankton. It closes int ow tide when it is exposed to air.

Clams are bivalves – two shells attached by powerful hinge. They feed on plankton which they bring in though a straw-like siphon. The plankton is filtered out of the water and the water pushed back out by another siphon.

Chitons have eight overlapping shell plates and an oval shape. They can roll up into a ball when threatened. They feed on algae and are found in intertidal zones.

Giant Kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) is the largest seaweed and marine algae.

Green Anemone (Anthopleura anthogrammica) are green because of microscopic algae that live symbiotically inside them. They are found alone or in groups in tide pools.

Hermit Crabs (Pagurus spp) are scavengers and use different species of snail shells for protection, moving to successively larger shells as they grow.

Periwinkles (Littorina spp) are marine snails that graze seaweed found on seaweed or rocky shores in high and middle intertidal zones or on shore.

Whelks (Nucella spp) are predators of barnacles and mussels using the rasping radula to drill holes in barnacles, mussels, limpets, and other snails.

Pacific Blue Mussels (Mytilus trossulus) are filter feeders that eat plankton. They prefer low wave action in mid-intertidal to subtidal zones. They live in tight clusters attached and covering rocks.

Limpets have a cone-shaped shell and graze on algae. They are found in the high inter-tidal zone among barnacles, mussels, and whelks attached to rocks.

Red and Purple Sea Urchins (Stonglylocentrotus spp) eat algae and kelp and are found in low and sub-tidal zones. They have movable spines which they can use in self-defense.

Purple and Ochre Stars (Pisaster spp) are common sea stars found in the intertidal zone. They prey on bivalves (clams/mussels). They have suction-like tube feet that they use to pry open prey.

Identifying Tide Pool Organisms


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Intertidal Zone Study Site 2 (8 Sections)1

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Species Name

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How many of this species are in each study site:

Site 1 Site 2

In how many sections is this species (in each study site):

Site 1 Site 2

Intertidal Zone Biodiversity - Data Sheet

Number of different species you found on the study site:

Total # of organisms found on the study site (all species):

Diversity Index # of different species/total # of all species.

Is biodoversity high or low?

5 100 5/100 = .05 lower diversityExamples: 10 100 10/100 = .10 medium diversity 25 100 25/100 = .25 higher diversity

Intertidal Zone Study Site 1

Biodiversity of this Intertidal Zone



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Counting Species Worksheet - Site 1


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Counting Species Worksheet - Site 2



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Species Name

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How many of this species are in each study site:

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In how many sections is this species (in each study site):

Site 1 Site 2

Intertidal Zone Biodiversity Data - Sheet KEY

Number of different species you found on the study site:

Total # of organisms found on the study site (all species):

Biodiversity Index # of different species/total # of all species.

Is biodoversity high or low?

2 12 2/12 = .16 lower diversityExamples: 6 12 6/12 = .50 medium diversity 10 12 10/12 = .82 higher diversity

12 123 12/123 = .097 higher diversity

8 217 8/217 = .0368 lower diversity


Biodiversity of this Intertidal Zone KEY


Acorn Barnacles 22 54 8 7

Clams 5 7 4 4

Chitons 4 0 4 0

Green Anemone 3 0 3 0

Great Kelp (Count Bunches) 11 11 8 8

Hermit Crabs 4 0 5 0

Periwinkles 18 34 8 8

Whelks 2 0 2 0

Pacific Blue Mussels 17 31 5 3

Limpets 14 29 6 7

Red and Purple Sea Urchins 19 38 8 8

Purple and Ochre Stars 4 13 5 4


Protecting Coral Reefs Coral reefs lie along tropical coastlines. They are rich in biodiversity with an abundance of marine life. Coral reefs are sensitive to changes. They need a salty, warm environment between 68° and 82° F. They need to be constantly churned by waves to shower them with the organic debris they require for food and to stir up the oxygen they need. The waves also keep sand from building up on their tissues as coral is an animal that is anchored to the sea floor and cannot survive if buried in sand. Coral has a symbiotic relationship with a single-celled algae called zooxanthellae, which lives in the coral tissue itself. Coral provides the algae with a safe place to live and grow. Zooxanthellae, in turn, provides food and oxygen to the coral, while taking up the carbon dioxide that the coral releases. Zooxanthellae gives coral its many pretty colors. Like the coral in which it lives, zooxanthellae is very sensitive to changes in its environment. A violent storm, that causes water temperature changes or an increase in wave churning, can hurt the coral and the algae. If the zooxanthellae dies, the coral loses its pretty colors. This is called coral bleaching. It is a sign of an unhealthy coral reef. The fish and other reef animals will abandon damaged coral over time. If the bleaching is not too bad, the coral can recover, but ongoing stress will cause coral death. Why are coral reefs important to humans? Coral reefs have extensive biodiversity – they support more species than any other marine environment on the planet. Biologists believe that coral reefs are part of the life cycles of more than half of all the marine fish species that humans depend on for food. Coral reefs support local economies through tourism – not just with snorkeling, boating and fishing on the reefs, but with the hotels, restaurants and other related businesses they boost. Coral reefs protect valuable coastal shorelines from erosion and storm surges. They are also stunning habitats that delight and inspire human visitors ever day. Even knowing the tremendous value of coral reefs, humans cause serious and ongoing damage to these fragile ecosystems through overuse, pollution and general habitat damage and loss. What can we do to mitigate the damage we inflict on coral reefs?


coral bleaching

Protecting Coral Reefs - Design a Solution - WorksheetOur coral reefs are in trouble. Poachers harvest the colorful corals and fish to sell to collectors.

Boaters dump trash or dirty water (bilge) too close to reefs and sometimes anchor on the fragile coral

itself. Snorkelers walk on the fragile coral and use dish soap to rinse out scuba masks right in the

water (to reduce fogging), exposing reef species to harmful detergents. Excessive tourism can also

affect the normal feeding and reproduction of species on coral reefs. What can do to protect this vital

habitat?

Research if there has been any legislation passed to protect coral reefs. Suggest some regulations,

conservation, and educational options, etc, that might help with coral reef protection. Consider how

any conservation plan might affect tourist businesses (e.g. Suggesting that we halt all tourist trips to

coral reefs is probably not reasonable.). How will you implement your plan? Take some notes below,

then write up a proposal or letter to the editor or your legislator or develop an educational poster,

brochure, etc. or create an educational meme for social media.

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The Effect of Human Development on Sea TurtlesAuthentic Performance

You are a wildlife biologist. Your job is to protect hatching baby sea turtles. The beach where the turtles lay their eggs has recently been developed with large hotels. At night, the hotels leave bright lights on, so people can walk to the beach. You know that baby turtles hatch at night, often during a full moon. The moonlight shines on the ocean and helps guide the baby turtles to the water. If they get lost, they will dry out or be eaten by predators. How will the new hotel lights affect baby turtles making it to the ocean? What can you do to help protect them.

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The hotel lights will attract the baby turtles, who instinctively are attracted to light shining on the water

to guide them to the safely of the ocean. So instead of heading to the safety of the ocean, they will head

inland toward the hotels where they will dry out or be eaten by birds.

Baby turtles hatch from their nests during a specific few weeks every year. We could ask the hotels to

turn off their ocean side lights during the hatching period.

We could promote turtle hatching as an educational experience for a limited number of tourists to

observe and use it as a way to teach them about endangered species and how they can help the turtles.

The Effect of Human Development on Sea Turtles KEYAuthentic Performance

You are a wildlife biologist. Your job is to protect hatching baby sea turtles. The beach where the turtles lay their eggs has recently been developed with large hotels. At night, the hotels leave bright lights on, so people can walk to the beach. You know that baby turtles hatch at night, often during a full moon. The moonlight shines on the ocean and helps guide the baby turtles to the water. If they get lost, they will dry out or be eaten by predators. How will the new hotel lights affect baby turtles making it to the ocean? What can you do to help protect them.

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Rewilding Yellowstone Worksheet - Ecosystem Diversity Critical ThinkingCreate an informational poster (2D model or diagram) about the reintroduction of Wolves in Yellowstone Park showing the progression of events starting with the return of the wolves in 1995 and how it affected the Park’s ecosystem diversity. Google: Wolf Reintroduction Changes Ecosystem in Yellowstone for some source material and specifics. Be sure to include the following points (use this worksheet to gather facts and make notes):

1) What happened when Wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone National Park?

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2) How did the overpopulation of the elk in Yellowstone affect the park’s willows, aspens and cottonwoods?

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3) How did the reintroduction of wolves into Yellowstone Park affect the way the elk feed?

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4) When the recovering trees and shrubs brought beavers back into the park, what happened to the physical

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5) How did the change to the park brought on by the beaver affect other animals?

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Documents

Biodiversity and Humans - Exploring Nature Science