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Preserving Biodiversity

© Angela Plumb

To begin this lesson, have your learner(s) list as many environmental problems as possible - global or local.

The list may include topics such as these:
deforestation
ozone depletion
nuclear waste/bombs
overflowing landfills
air/water/soil pollution
pesticides
global warming/greenhouse gases
endangered animals
etc.....

Let us examine the first and last of the problems on the list - deforestation and endangered animals. Whenever organisms are removed or destroyed, there is a loss of biodiversity. What is biodiversity and why is it important to us?

BIODIVERSITY or "biological diversity" refers to three different types of "variability" or differences:
1)Species diversity is the variety of different species. For example, an oak tree and a maple tree are different species, as are monarch butterflies and bees.
2)Genetic diversity is the differences in the genes of individuals of the same species. You and your sisters and brothers are of the same species (humans), but you have differences in your genes that make you different from each other.
3)Ecological diversity is the various ecosystems we have on this planet. Without different ecosystems, we wouldn't be able to have cacti and tropical rainforests on the Earth.

Biodiversity is important because we need to have different kinds of organisms in an ecosystem in order for the ecosystem to survive - there is a fine balance to be maintained. Each organism has a specific NICHE or job in its ecosystem. In a forest ecosystem, a tree's niche is to use up carbon dioxide and produce oxygen for other organisms, as well as provide a home for certain animals and shade for others. A fungi's niche may be to decompose dead plant matter and turn it back into nutrients for the soil. If a single species was removed, the entire ecosystem would feel its loss. Can you imagine a forest without decomposers? The forest floor would be littered with dead animals and plants!! And the soil wouldn't receive any new nutrients!!

We also rely on plants and animals for economic and medical reasons. Plants are the source for agricultural, lumber, pulp and paper, rubber, oil and dye industries. Three-quarters of the world's population rely on medicines that are derived from plants. Over 3,000 antibiotics, like penicillin, are derived from tiny micro-organisms. Animals are used for food, labor and scientific study. Although many people are against research using animals, without such research, certain sciences would not have been able to advance as quickly.

EXTINCTION is when a species disappears completely from the Earth. Extinction itself is a natural process - species die out and new species take their place as the climate of the Earth changes over the years. However, past extinctions have taken place over a long period of time, allowing the new species to adapt and take over. Presently, the world is changing too fast for many species to cope, and extinction is much more rapid.

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