Threats to Biodiversity

Open Ended

Do Now: A starfish is considered a keystone species. What do you think this means?

Threats to Biodiversity

By Ms. Scotland

​Objective: Students will learn what factors threaten biodiversity
Formative Assessment: Answer questions during the lesson

​Vocabulary You Need to Know

• 1. Invasive species: Species that are introduced to a new habitat and can cause significant changes or harm to that environment.

  2. Biodiversity: The variety of different species of plants and animals in a particular habitat or ecosystem.

  3. Ecosystem: A community of living organisms interacting with each other and their physical environment.

  4. Extinction: The end of an organism or a species, meaning it no longer exists anywhere on Earth.

  5. Anthropogenic: Resulting from the influence of human activity on nature.

  6. Overexploitation: The excessive use of a resource, which can lead to its depletion or extinction.

​• Biodiversity faces multiple challenges in today's world
• Current rate of species extinction is abnormally high
• Understanding threats helps us protect ecosystems
• Both natural and human-caused factors affect biodiversity
• Species become extinct because they can no longer survive and reproduce in an environment. If members cannot adjust to change that is too fast or drastic, the opportunity for the species to evolve is lost.

​Introduction to Biodiversity Threats

Multiple Choice

What happens when species cannot adapt to ecosystem changes that are too fast?

• Species evolve rapidly to adapt.

• Species may go extinct.

• Species thrive in new conditions.

Major Threats Overview

• Habitat loss and fragmentation
• Climate change
• Invasive species
• Pollution
• Overexploitation

Multiple Choice

Which is not a major threat to biodiversity?

• Invasive species introduction
• Natural disaster like earthquakes

• Pollution from industrial waste

Habitat Loss & Fragmentation

• Is the breaking up of natural environments into smaller pieces. This is caused by:

• Urban development

• Agriculture

• Deforestation
  • Results in:

• Reduced living space for species

• Isolated populations

• Decreased genetic diversity

Open Ended

Name two causes of habitat loss and fragmentation.

Invasive Species Impact

Definition: Non-native species that disrupt local ecosystems
• Example: Fire ants in United States

•

• Introduced in 1920s through Mobile, Alabama

• Spread throughout southern and southwestern states

• Attack wildlife including newborn deer and ground-nesting birds
  • Responsible for 40% of extinctions since 1750

Climate Change Effects

• Rapid environmental changes
• Species struggle to adapt when changes occur too quickly
• Results in:

• Changed migration patterns

• Altered breeding seasons

• Habitat loss from rising temperatures

• Disrupted food chains

Anthropogenic (Human-Caused) Changes

• Urban development
• Industrial pollution
• Deforestation
• Agricultural expansion
• Resource overexploitation
• Chemical contamination

Multiple Choice

How can anthropogenic changes threaten biodiversity?

• Anthropogenic changes enhance biodiversity by creating new habitats.

• Anthropogenic changes threaten biodiversity by disrupting ecosystems, causing habitat loss, pollution, and climate change.

• Anthropogenic changes have no impact on biodiversity or ecosystems.

Case Study: Marine Ecosystem

• Overharvesting fish affects entire food chain
• Example scenario:

• Excessive fishing reduces fish population

• Sea lions lose food source

• Affects sea lion population

• Disrupts entire marine ecosystem balance

Open Ended

Explain how the overharvesting of a single species of fish, such as the fish eaten by sea lions, can affect an entire ecosystem. Answer in complete sentences!

• Survey local biodiversity threats
• Design eco-friendly communities
• Support conservation efforts
• Reduce personal environmental impact
• Participate in local conservation projects
• Educate others about biodiversity importance

Taking Action

• Protected areas establishment
• Invasive species control
• Sustainable resource management
• Habitat restoration
• Species recovery programs
• Community education

Conservation Solutions

How Can We Conserve Biodiversity?

Open Ended

Exit Ticket:
How can the decline of a single species affect an entire ecosystem? Answer in complete sentences!