Nutria Rat and the Wetlands1. What is biodiversity?2. What are the four ways that

humans are decreasing biodiversity?

3. What is threatening the polar bear?4. Why does deforestation threaten

plants and animals?5. Why does reducing biodiversity

threaten us humans?

Objectives

By the end of today, all SWBAT…

Describe the value of the wetlands

Explain how the nutria rat is decreasing the biodiversity of LA’s wetlands

Agenda

Finish yesterday’s video Wetlands: what are they, why do

we care? Invasive species Example: Nutria Rat Stations Exit Question

What is a wetland?

Jean Lafitte National Park

Right in our backyard…

Key Point #1: The Louisiana wetlands are important for a healthy LA—both the environment and the people

Wetlands: in between terrestrial (land) and aquatic (water) ecosystems

Aquatic

WetlandWetland

Terrestrial

Terrestrial

Movie Question: What are three things that define a wetland

Where are wetlands located? All along the coast of LA 40% of the U.S.’s wetlands are located in

LA!!!!!

There are MANY different types of wetlands…

And they often look very different

Forested Wetlands… Swamps

Grassy Wetlands: Marshes

Open water

Marshland

So what?

Key Point #2: Wetlands are valuable for five reasons Home to fish and animals Clean pollutants out of the water Reduce flooding Slow down hurricanes Provide money and jobs to people

Value of wetlands

1. Home to fish and animals 1/3 of birds and mammals live here Almost ALL amphibians live in wetlands

Value of the wetlands

2. Cleans water of pollutants Plants suck up pollution like a vacuum

Value of the wetlands

3. Reduces flooding Works like a sponge to soak up excess

water Keeps other areas from flooding

Value of the wetlands

4. Slows down hurricanes Works like a FENCE between water and

land

Value of the Wetlands

5. Provides MONEY and jobs to people In 2006, 26% of the nation’s oil Between 25-35% of the nation’s fish

950 million pounds of seafood every year $37 billion per year

Invasive Species are a Huge ThreatKey Point #3: Invasive species reduce biodiversity by… Preying upon (eating) other species

Eating other species’ food Destroying other species’ habitat

How do invasive species get there?

Accidentally, by… Boat Plane

Intentionally Pets Decorative plants

The nutria rat is an invasive species that is dramatically harming the LA wetlands Remember… Invasive species: NON-NATIVE plants and animals that have a NEGATIVE influence on an area

Nutria Rat

Nutria RatInvasive species of Louisiana wetlands

3.7 Classwork: Part A

Answer the questions below from the video we are about to watch

3.7 Classwork: Part B

Directions: With a partner, answer the four reading questions from the paragraphs at your lab stations Paragraph 1 Question 1 Paragraph 2 Question 2 Etc.

Part C. Food Webs

What do nutria rats eat?

How does this impact all other

parts of the food web???

Key Point Wrap-Up

The Louisiana wetlands are important for a healthy LA—both the environment and the people Home to many plants and animals, cleans

water, reduces flooding, slows hurricanes, money and jobs to people

Invasive species reduce biodiversity Prey upon (eat) other species Eat other species’ food Destroy other species’ habitat

The nutria rat is an invasive species that dramatically harms the LA wetlands Eats wetland plants

Exit Questions

1. What are two ways that humans benefit from the wetlands?

2. Explain why nutria rats are an invasive species.

3. Describe in complete sentences how the nutria rat decreases biodiversity in the wetlands.