Biological Diversity
EEI Curriculum B.8.b. Biology H
1. Read the article “Biologic Riches and Rarities” and answer the following questions.
a. How many species of animals and plants are found in California?
b. What does “endemic” mean?
c. Define “biodiversity”.
d. What is a “biodiversity hotspot”? Why is California designated as one?
e. What are the unique features of California’s geography?
f. Describe the climate of the high desert.
g. Describe the relationship between the Joshua tree and the Tegiticula moth.
h. Describe the grasslands on the central valley. What types of organisms can be found
there?
i. Describe the layers of the old-growth redwood forests. What type of organisms grow in
each?
2. Read the article “South Coast Bioregion” and answer the following questions.
a. What is a bioregion?
b. How would you define “biodiversity”?
c. Name one type of ecosystem characteristic of our bioregion.
d. Name two types of producers that live here.
e. Name two types of consumers that live here.
f. Name one rare, threatened, or endangered species found here.
g. What is one way in which humans in your bioregion make a living that is directly
connected to the natural systems? Explain why or how.
h. How can knowing about the biodiversity of a bioregion help state and local agencies
protect that biodiversity?
3. Read the article “Coastal Wetlands, Treasures of Diversity” and answer the following questions.
a. Why are coastal wetlands ecologically significant?
b. What happens in an estuarine salt marsh?
c. What must plants be able to tolerate here?
d. List other types of wetlands.
e. Describe how continental drift and erosion have formed our coastal zones.
f. What happened during the ice ages?
g. What was sea level during the most recent glacial period?
h. When did sea level reach its present depth?
i. What is the largest estuary?
j. Describe most southern California wetlands.
k. What is primary productivity?
l. Describe a salt marsh food web.
m. Describe the flow of nutrient-rich detritus and waste products.
n. Give three examples of how species have adapted to take advantage of the niches
available here.
o. What extremes must organisms who live here have to face?
p. Give three examples of adaptations organisms here have.
q. Give three examples of how people rely on wetlands.
r. Give three examples of how humans have impacted coastal wetlands.