Biodiversity English lesson

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• English
• Buitengewoon secundair onderwijs

Biodiversity

Learning Objectives

• Define the terms: biome, ecosystems, biodiversity and species.

• Identify key marine habitats.

• Name at least two marine species and be able to explain how they are adapted to their habitat.

• Understand how species are connected to form an ecosystem.

https://youtu.be/b6Ua_zWDH6U

Key terms

Set the scene

What is a biome?

© Google Earth

What is an ecosystem?

What is a habitat?

© Google Earth

© Umbrrllahead56 via Flickr

© Ruth Hartnup via Flickr

© Images via Flickr

What is a species?

© Stephen Gidley via Flickr

© Odd wellies via Flickr

What is adaptation?

https://youtu.be/GlWNuzrqe7U

Habitats

Activity 1

Kelp

© Mark Kirkland

Seagrass

Rockpools

Honeycomb worm reef

© Richard Harrington

Underwater mud

© Paul Naylor

Underwater sand and gravel

Activity 2

Species

Bottlenose dolphin

© Graeme Cresswell

Harbour porpoise

© Graeme Cresswell

Basking shark

© Peter Bardsley

© Mark Kirkland

Atlantic grey seal

Leatherback turtle

© Mark Kirkland

© William Farah via Shutterstock

Compass jellyfish

© Mark Kirkland

© Mark Thomas

Spider crabs

© Mark Kirkland

© Paul Naylor

Sea fans

© Mark Kirkland

© Paul Naylor

John Dory

© Mark Kirkland

© Paul Naylor

Puffin

© Mark Kirkland

A focus on Angel Sharks 

Activity 2

https://youtu.be/HOpljndFI7o

Angel shark

© Mark Kirkland

© Mark Kirkland

Biodiversity

Biodiversity is a broad term meaning the variety of plant and animal life found in the world or a particular habitat.

Biodiversity refers to diversity within species, between species and within
an ecosystem. / Biodiversiteit is een breed woord dat betekent: de verscheidenheid aan planten en dieren in de wereld of in een bepaald gebied.

Biodiversiteit gaat over verschillen binnen een soort, tussen soorten, en in een ecosysteem.

Activity 3

Why is biodiversity important?

For marine life: / Voor het leven in de zee:

Different species are dependent on each other for food. / Verschillende soorten zijn afhankelijk van elkaar voor voedsel.

Many species rely on the shelter of plants to hide from predators. / Veel soorten gebruiken planten als schuilplaats om zich te verstoppen voor roofdieren.

Species like sea snails help to maintain the environment by eating algae that could smother animals.
/ Soorten zoals zeeslakken helpen het milieu gezond te houden door algen te eten die andere dieren kunnen verstikken.

Some species have symbiotic relationships. For example a few species of hermit crabs and anemones.
/ Sommige soorten hebben een symbiotische relatie. Bijvoorbeeld sommige soorten heremietkreeften en zeeanemonen.

The crab gets protection from carrying the anemone, and the anemone benefits from access to food lifted into the water column when the crab feeds.
/ De kreeft krijgt bescherming door de anemoon te dragen, en de anemoon krijgt voedsel dat omhoog komt in het water als de kreeft eet.

Why is biodiversity important?

For all life: / Voor al het leven:

Plants and algae provide oxygen that all animals need to survive.
/ Planten en algen geven zuurstof die alle dieren nodig hebben om te overleven.

Plants and algae store carbon dioxide, helping to reduce the effects of climate change.
/ Planten en algen slaan koolstofdioxide op, wat helpt om de effecten van klimaatverandering te verminderen.

Plants and algae are also a vitally important element of the carbon cycle.
/ Planten en algen zijn ook een heel belangrijk onderdeel van de koolstofkringloop.  

Why is biodiversity important?

To humans:

• The ocean provides many species of fish, shellfish and algae that humans eat.

• Marine plants and animals provide medicine.

• The structure of coastal habitats, like seagrass and kelp, help to reduce wave energy, protecting coastal communities from storms.

• Millions of jobs are dependent on diverse and productive seas, including tourism, diving, and fishing.

• A healthy ocean is important for our health and wellbeing.

© Mark Kirkland

Species interdependence

What have you learnt?

Reflect

Learning Objectives

• Can you define the following terms?
  

  • Biome

  • Ecosystems

  • Habitats

  • Species

  • Interdependence

  • Biodiversity

  • Population

  • I need to listen to my teacher

• Can you identify a variety of key marine habitats found in the UK?

• Can you describe how a marine species adapts to their habitat? 

• Can you describe how species are interdependent and how
  human interactions can alter ecosystem dynamics?

We will continue to fight for the ocean and protect wildlife