Nutria Rat and the Wetlands
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
What is biodiversity?
What are the four ways that humans are
decreasing biodiversity?
What is threatening the polar bear?
Why does deforestation threaten plants
and animals?
Why does reducing biodiversity threaten
us humans?
Objectives
By the end of today, all SWBAT…
 Describe the value of the
wetlands
 Explain how the nutria rat is
decreasing the biodiversity of LA’s
wetlands
Agenda
Finish yesterday’s video
 Wetlands: what are they, why do we
care?
 Invasive species
 Example: Nutria Rat
 Stations
 Exit Question

What is a wetland?
Jean Lafitte National Park

Right in our backyard…
Key Point #1: The Louisiana
wetlands are important for a
healthy LA—both the
environment and the people
Wetlands: in between terrestrial (land) and
aquatic (water) ecosystems
Terrestrial
Wetland
Wetland
Aquatic
Terrestrial
Movie Question:
What are three
things that define a
wetland
Where are wetlands located?


All along the coast of LA
40% of the U.S.’s wetlands are located in LA!!!!!


There are MANY different types of wetlands…
And they often look very different
Forested Wetlands… Swamps
Grassy Wetlands: Marshes
Open water
Marshland
So what?

Key Point #2: Wetlands are valuable for
five reasons
 Home
to fish and animals
 Clean pollutants out of the water
 Reduce flooding
 Slow down hurricanes
 Provide money and jobs to people
Value of wetlands
1.
Home to fish and animals


1/3 of birds and mammals live here
Almost ALL amphibians live in wetlands
Value of the wetlands
2. Cleans water of pollutants
 Plants
suck up pollution like a vacuum
Value of the wetlands
3. Reduces flooding
 Works
like a sponge to soak up excess water
 Keeps other areas from flooding
Value of the wetlands
4. Slows down hurricanes
 Works
like a FENCE between water and land
Value of the Wetlands
5. Provides MONEY and jobs to people
 In 2006, 26% of the nation’s oil
 Between 25-35% of the nation’s fish
 950
million pounds of seafood every year
 $37 billion per year
Invasive Species are a Huge Threat

Key Point #3: Invasive species
reduce biodiversity by…
Preying
upon (eating) other species
Eating other species’ food
Destroying other species’ habitat
How do invasive species get there?

Accidentally, by…
 Boat
 Plane

Intentionally
 Pets
 Decorative
plants
Nutria Rat

The nutria rat is an invasive species
that is dramatically harming the LA
wetlands
Remember…
Invasive
species: NON-NATIVE plants
and animals that have a NEGATIVE
influence on an area
Nutria Rat
Invasive species of Louisiana wetlands
3.7 Classwork: Part A
Answer the questions below
from the video we are about to
watch

3.7 Classwork: Part B
Directions: With a partner, answer the four reading
questions from the paragraphs at your lab stations
 Paragraph
1 Question 1
 Paragraph 2 Question 2
 Etc.
Part C. Food Webs
What do nutria rats
eat?
How does this impact
all other parts of the
food web???
Key Point Wrap-Up

The Louisiana wetlands are important for a healthy
LA—both the environment and the people
 Home
to many plants and animals, cleans water, reduces
flooding, slows hurricanes, money and jobs to people

Invasive species reduce biodiversity
 Prey
upon (eat) other species
 Eat other species’ food
 Destroy other species’ habitat

The nutria rat is an invasive species that
dramatically harms the LA wetlands
 Eats
wetland plants
Exit Questions
1.
2.
3.
What are two ways that humans benefit
from the wetlands?
Explain why nutria rats are an invasive
species.
Describe in complete sentences how the
nutria rat decreases biodiversity in the
wetlands.