Biodiversity of species (Secondary) - Lesson One

• Social Studies
• History
• +3
• 7th,8th Grade

Introduction

Lesson One – What does biodiversity mean? This lesson explores the meaning of biodiversity and what contributes to the strength of a species. Learning activities:  Discuss how the vaquita has become endangered.  Research two endangered species – check its population status and the reason for its endangered status.

Instructions

Time: 45 minutes

Contact: [e-mail]
© Sea Shepherd 2022

Lesson 1 - What does biodiversity mean?

This lesson is provided by Sea Shepherd.  Sea Shepherd was founded in 1977 and is a marine conservation organisation working to protect the oceans and marine wildlife.  Sea Shepherd works globally on a range of issues impacting the oceans, running numerous direct action campaigns each year. 

What you already know...

You are going to learn...

Action required!

Evaluate your knowledge

Click on the image

Watch  the video

During the lesson we will use these icons to identify the learning actions.

What does biodiversity mean?

Ask students: “What do you think the term ‘biodiversity’ means? Can you provide examples?”

Illegal Fishing

Illegal fishing means that the fishermen enter the territorial waters of a country or regulated marine zone without permission or without a license for the fish they intend to catch.

They are stealing from these waters.

BIODIVERSITY

refers to the variety of plant and animal life in the world, or in a particular habitat.

High levels of biodiversity are considered important and desirable.

Biodiversity refers to the variety of plant and animal life in the world, or in a particular habitat. High levels of biodiversity are considered important and desirable.

Introduction to IUU fishing and the impact of overfishing.

Why is a range of species important?

There are two parts to having healthy biodiversity. The first is the number of different species or range of different types of species.
Ask students: “Why do you think a range of different species is important?’

Over 100 million tons of fish caught each year.

Strength of species

The second part is the number of a particular species that exist.
Ask students why are numbers of a species important?
What are the implications for a species whose numbers have reduced to one population (in a specific area)?
    Reduced chance of survival if not enough breeding pairs.
    Genetic strength of a species can reduce.
    Local factors can have consequences, and in the worse case, wipe out an entire species.

Over 100 million tons of fish caught each year.

Habitat

Biodiversity applies both across the world and in particular habitats.
Across the entire ocean it is important a range of species exists, but it is also important in each habitat (seafloor, ocean surface, reef systems etc) that a range of species exist.
Discuss with students what environmental factors would necessitate a variation in species?
(Think about climate, area of the ocean, habitat etc)

Why is biodiversity important?

Ask students “Why do you think biodiversity is important?”
Discuss the context in relation to:
    Individual species
    Food chains
    Ecosystems

One species that is critically endangered and on the verge of extinction is the vaquita porpoise.  Found only in the Sea of Cortez off Mexico.
Show this video from Sea Shepherd’s Operation Milagro (2015). As of 2022 it is estimated that there are less than 20 vaquita left.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5Gcqv4TQwY&list=PLNmnNu36NAjgcyD532wDBEeKZJhobLbOv&index=126&t=23s

www.seashepherdglobal.org

LEARNING ACTIVITIES

Refer Lesson Guide for activity suggestions.