Biodiversity year
Focus Questions
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From which two words does biodiversity come?
In your own words, explain what biodiversity means.
How many new species are being identified each year?
Australia is one of the most biodiverse places on Earth. What does that mean?
Why is biodiversity important?
Describe the impact humans can have on biodiversity.
Why are scientists concerned about the loss of biodiversity?
What do you think the International Year of Biodiversity is trying to achieve?
How do you think individuals can help preserve biodiversity?
What do you understand more clearly about biodiversity since watching the
BtN story?
Biodiversity
Before students begin the activities, hold a class discussion to clarify their
understanding of biodiversity. Record their responses on a mind map/concept map.
As students work through the investigations they can continue to add to the map.
Students will learn more about biodiversity through the following activities.
Negotiate with students how many activities they will need to complete.
EPISODE 13
16TH FEBRUARY 2010
Learning Area
Science, Society
and Environment
Key learning
Students will
develop a deeper
understanding of
biodiversity and
ways to preserve it.
Remember and understand

2010 is International Year of Biodiversity. Using the official website
http://www.cbd.int/2010/welcome/ find out the following:
Who decides what the International Year will be?
What is the aim of IYB?
How are people being encouraged to participate?

Make 10 question and answer quiz cards about biodiversity facts.
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Find out what these key biodiversity words mean and illustrate each one:
ecosystem
habitat food chain
food web
species
Apply and Analyse

What is an ecosystem and how do they relate to biodiversity? Research and
illustrate an example.

Explore ways your school can support and conserve biodiversity. Projects
could include:
Planting a garden using native plants
Building a frog pond
Planting an organic kitchen garden for the school community to access.
© ABC 2010
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
Create an action plan to help preserve biodiversity at home or school. Use
the following as a guide:
What are you going to do?
Where will it occur?
Who is involved?
Why? (What is the purpose?)
When? (time frame)
How (steps involved)
Evaluate – What was successful and what could be improved?

Create a `Species of the day’ display about a threatened Australian animal.
Students can include the following information in their display:
Name of species
Classification (vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered)
Habitat
Where it lives
Population
What is being done to protect the species
The following website has more information about threatened Australian
animals: http://www.environment.gov.au/cgibin/sprat/public/publicthreatenedlist.pl?wanted=fauna
Students can present their display to the class.
Evaluate and create

Create an advertisement that raises awareness and encourages people to
take action in the International Year of Biodiversity. Display the
advertisements around the school.
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What are the benefits of biodiversity? These can include social, economic
or personal. Students then choose one benefit to research further and
present to the class using information communication technologies.
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Create a collage or artwork that illustrates biodiversity.
 Related Research Links
ABC News – State-of-the-art showcase of SA biodiversity
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/02/12/2817721.htm
ABC News – Biodiversity crashing Australia-wide
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/06/10/2594884.htm
Centre for Biological Diversity – 2010 International Year of Biodiversity
http://www.cbd.int/2010/resources/
South Australian Museum – Biodiversity gallery
http://www.samuseum.sa.gov.au/page/default.asp?site=1&id=1501
© ABC 2010
Department of Environment, Heritage, Water and the Arts – Threatened Fauna list
http://www.environment.gov.au/cgibin/sprat/public/publicthreatenedlist.pl?wanted=fauna
Up2me for kids – Conserving Australia’s biological diversity
http://www.up2meforkids.com.au/article.php?Do=ContentView&pageno=200
© ABC 2010