New
New
Year 7

The importance of biodiversity

I can explain why it is important to maintain biodiversity and suggest how we might do this.

New
New
Year 7

The importance of biodiversity

I can explain why it is important to maintain biodiversity and suggest how we might do this.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Biodiversity is the number of different species that live in a place.
  2. Biodiversity is important as it keeps habitats healthy, and provides humans with food, medicines and other resources.
  3. Humans have a negative impact on biodiversity through habitat destruction and pollution of the environment.
  4. Humans can take action to help maintain biodiversity, such as through conservation activities.
  5. Genetic diversity can be conserved through seed banks and other forms of gene banks.

Common misconception

Biodiversity conservation can only take place in large natural habitats such as forests.

Biodiversity conservation can take place on a small scale, for example, by providing habitats in gardens and in urban areas.

Keywords

  • Biodiversity - Biodiversity is the range of different living organisms (species) that live in a place.

  • Species - A species is a group of organisms that are able to reproduce with each other to produce offspring that are also able to reproduce.

  • Conservation - Conservation is the process of protecting biodiversity and the environment.

  • Gene bank - A gene bank is a collection of seeds, plants and animals which are stored to preserve genetic material for the future.

There are lots of examples of conservation in action that pupils can research as an independent project. Lots of zoos also provide information about how they contribute to conservation projects as part of their work.
Teacher tip

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of the following describes what a food chain diagram is?
Correct answer: A diagram that shows what organisms are food for other organisms
A diagram that shows where an organism lives
A diagram that shows which organisms are important
A diagram that shows that food is passed from consumers to producers
Q2.
Which of the organisms in this food chain is an apex predator?
An image in a quiz
Oak leaf
Aphid
Ladybird
Blue tit
Correct answer: Wildcat
Q3.
A is the place where an organism lives. It provides food, shelter and a place to reproduce.
Correct Answer: habitat, microhabitat, micro-habitat, Habitat
Q4.
Which of the following is an adaptation of an organism to keep warm in an arctic habitat?
Short fur
Correct answer: Thick layers of fat in the body
Large ears
Big claws
Q5.
Which of the following food chains is not correct?
plant plankton → animal plankton → krill → whale
fruit bush → mouse → owl
Correct answer: fish → shrimp → salmon → bear
leaves → caterpillar → robin → hawk
Q6.
How is this organism adapted to its environment?
An image in a quiz
It is well camouflaged
Correct answer: It has a sharp pointed beak to drill holes in a tree
It has a beak that it uses to eat predators
Q2 UYSEG

6 Questions

Q1.
Gene banks are a form of conservation. What are they?
Correct answer: A store of genetic material for use in the future
A collection of organisms that are kept alive in captivity
A store of dead specimens in museums
Preserving species in the wild
Q2.
Which of the following would decrease biodiversity?
Correct answer: Changing land use (e.g. deforestation)
Protecting a habitat by law
Correct answer: Climate change
Planting more trees
Q3.
A is a group of organisms that are able to reproduce with each other to produce offspring that are also able to reproduce.
Correct Answer: species, Species
Q4.
Habitats with a greater number of species have greater __________.
Correct answer: Biodiversity
Climate
Non-living parts
Variability
Q5.
Match the words with their meanings.
Correct Answer:Conservation,the process of protecting species and the environment

the process of protecting species and the environment

Correct Answer:Biodiversity,the range of different species that live in an area

the range of different species that live in an area

Correct Answer:Habitat,the place where an organism lives

the place where an organism lives

Correct Answer:Bioaccumulation,a build up in concentration of a chemical in an organism

a build up in concentration of a chemical in an organism

Correct Answer:Food security,having enough food to feed the human population

having enough food to feed the human population

Q6.
Mountain gorillas are one of the rarest mammals on the planet. Which of the following is not a reason for the reduction in the population of gorillas?
An image in a quiz
Their habitat has been destroyed for farming.
Gorillas have been hunted by humans for food.
They have caught diseases from humans.
Correct answer: Some have been caught and put in zoos to breed.