Biodiversity
•Biodiversity is measured by the amount of
different species that can be found within an
ecosystem.
•Stable
ecosystems help to sustain biodiversity.
•Habitats
must be preserved to protect
endangered species and maintain biodiversity.
•Destruction
of habitat, invasive species and
pollutants threaten biodiversity
Examples
Lets look at some living examples of the
incredible diversity of our planet…
Larger than life
(well, at least the largest)
What is the largest
organism in the
world?
The honey mushroom.
One of these fungi
found in Oregon is
5.6 km long and
covers an area of
more than 1,600
football fields.
The fungus, also known as the honey mushroom, spreads below
ground by sending out these stringy rhizomorphs.
Temperature Range
A bacteria known as Strain 121 was found living around
hydrothermal vents. This bacteria can survive at temperatures
of up to 121º C.
Speed- The berserk Basilisk Lizard
The basilisk lizard runs so
fast that it is able to run
right over water. (5.4 km/h)
Meet Bill and
Sam
The Redknobbed hornbill
(above) and the
Toucan (left)
Cute?
Deep sea fish come in
allsorts of unusual forms.
This is a Psychrolutes fish
found over 1000m deep off
the coast of Australia.
Mr. Mom
With seahorses, it is the male that becomes pregnant
and gives birth to the young.
Lighten up a little
Many Jellyfish and some
other animals like the
firefly are able to produce
their own light using
bioluminescence
(symbiosis with bacteria).
A Knock Out
The Pistol shrimp
uses its claw to
shoot a shockwave
bubble at its prey.
When this bubble
collapses it
releases enough
energy to kill its
prey.
The Hardy Cockroach
Cockroaches are
resistant to radiation,
and able to live for up
to a week without a
head.
The Flying
Squirrel
These animals are found
throughout Canadian forests.
They have loose skin between
their legs that allows them to
glide from tree to tree.
Flying Fish
These fish found throughout
tropical oceans are capable of
flying for up to 100m in
distance and 1m out of the
water. These fish use their
unusual talent to escape
predators. Unfortunately for
the one on the right, flying
didn’t help him escape Charlie.
It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s a snake?
The Flying Snake
Several types of tree
snakes are able to flatten
out their bodies and
glide from tree to tree
like a piece of ribbon.
Eggstraordinary
Mammals
The platypus and the
echidna are both found in
Australia and are the only
mammals that lay eggs.
“I ought’er ring your
neck”
The Nene Goose (on the
left) is found in Hawaii
and is a relative to the
Canadian goose (below).
The Rhinoceros
Beetle
This beetle is one of the
strongest organisms (relative to
its size) on the earth. It can lift
850 times its own weight.
An exhibitionist
The naked Mole-rat has very little fur.
These animals can be found in
Ethiopia, central Somalia, and Kenya.
The fast and the furious
The cheetah is the fastest animal
on land. It can run up to 112
km/h. Fast enough to get it a
speeding ticket on the 401.
A super star
The Star-nosed mole can be found
throughout eastern Canada. It prefers
swampy habitats. The nose for which
it is named, is the most tactilely
sensitive in the animal kingdom.
The Tarsier
This interesting animal can
be found in southeastern
Asia. The tarsier is
classified as a suborder of
primate and is the smallest
known primate measuring
15 to 18 cm in length.