Climate Change and Biodiversity: A Delicate Balance

Biology Grades High School 12:07 Video
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Lesson Description

Explore the intricate relationship between climate change and biodiversity, understanding the impacts of human activities on global ecosystems and species survival.

Video Resource

How does climate change affect biodiversity?

California Academy of Sciences

Duration: 12:07
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • The Greenhouse Effect
  • Global Warming and its Impact on Habitats
  • The Role of CO2 in Ecosystems
  • Biodiversity Loss due to Climate Change

Learning Objectives

  • Explain the greenhouse effect and its connection to climate change.
  • Analyze the impact of global warming on different ecosystems and species.
  • Evaluate the consequences of increased atmospheric CO2 on plant life and biodiversity.
  • Discuss potential solutions and actions to mitigate the effects of climate change on biodiversity.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by introducing the topic of climate change and its relevance to biodiversity. Show the video 'How does climate change affect biodiversity?' from the California Academy of Sciences.
  • The Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming (15 mins)
    Discuss the greenhouse effect, explaining how greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide trap heat in the atmosphere. Elaborate on the sources of increased CO2, primarily the burning of fossil fuels. Explain the difference between natural CO2 cycles and the current rapid increase. Show the CO2 graph from the video.
  • Impacts on Biodiversity (20 mins)
    Analyze the impacts of global warming on biodiversity. Discuss sea-level rise and its effects on coastal habitats and species. Examine how changing temperatures affect species distribution, migration patterns, and the survival of endemic species. Highlight examples like coral reef die-offs and the plight of mountain-dwelling beetles.
  • CO2 and Plant Life (15 mins)
    Explore the effects of increased CO2 on plant life, including the process of carbon sequestration and fixation. Discuss the limitations of plants in absorbing excess CO2 and the potential for decreased biodiversity due to unequal abilities among plant species. Explain the feedback loop where reduced biodiversity exacerbates climate change.
  • Discussion and Solutions (10 mins)
    Facilitate a discussion on potential solutions to mitigate climate change and protect biodiversity. Encourage students to brainstorm actions they can take individually and collectively to reduce their carbon footprint and support conservation efforts.

Interactive Exercises

  • Carbon Footprint Calculator
    Have students use an online carbon footprint calculator to assess their individual impact on the environment. Discuss ways they can reduce their footprint.
  • Ecosystem Vulnerability Mapping
    Divide students into groups and assign each group a specific ecosystem (e.g., coral reefs, rainforests, arctic tundra). Have them research and create a map illustrating the vulnerabilities of that ecosystem to climate change.

Discussion Questions

  • How does the rate of climate change impact the ability of species to adapt?
  • What are some specific examples of species or ecosystems that are particularly vulnerable to climate change?
  • How can we balance human needs with the need to protect biodiversity in the face of climate change?
  • What role does international cooperation play in addressing climate change and its effects on biodiversity?

Skills Developed

  • Critical Thinking
  • Data Analysis and Interpretation
  • Problem-Solving
  • Communication and Collaboration

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

Which of the following is a primary greenhouse gas discussed in the video?

Correct Answer: Carbon Dioxide

Question 2:

The burning of which of the following contributes most significantly to the increase of atmospheric CO2?

Correct Answer: Fossil Fuels

Question 3:

What effect do greenhouse gasses have on infrared radiation?

Correct Answer: They absorb it, trapping heat near Earth.

Question 4:

According to the video, what is a major concern regarding the rate of CO2 increase in the atmosphere?

Correct Answer: Life cannot adapt quickly enough.

Question 5:

What is the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)?

Correct Answer: An agency concerned with tracking and projecting global temperatures.

Question 6:

Which of the following scenarios would have the greatest impact on global sea level rise?

Correct Answer: Melting of continental ice masses

Question 7:

What is the primary threat of sea level rise to biodiversity?

Correct Answer: Loss of low-lying habitats.

Question 8:

What is carbon sequestration?

Correct Answer: The process of plants absorbing and using carbon dioxide.

Question 9:

Why might increased CO2 levels lead to decreased biodiversity in plant life?

Correct Answer: Unequal abilities among plant species to use CO2 can lead to some dying off.

Question 10:

The narrator uses the example of beetles living in icy areas high on mountains to explain what?

Correct Answer: How rising temperatures cause them to move higher until they run out of habitat.

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

The increase in global temperature is largely due to the increase in __________ gases in the atmosphere.

Correct Answer: greenhouse

Question 2:

__________ fuels contain large amounts of carbon that, when burned, release carbon dioxide.

Correct Answer: fossil

Question 3:

The process by which plants use carbon dioxide to build organic molecules is called __________.

Correct Answer: photosynthesis

Question 4:

Melting ice in __________ and __________ could lead to significant sea level rise.

Correct Answer: Greenland

Question 5:

Each species has its own ________ habitat and tolerance ranges.

Correct Answer: optimal

Question 6:

The rate at which CO2 content is changing is a main issue in most of our problems because life just can't _________ up.

Correct Answer: keep

Question 7:

The continental ______ masses should be giving us the greatest cause for concern.

Correct Answer: ice

Question 8:

Many models estimate that there will be major __________ due to the inability of organisms to adapt to climate change.

Correct Answer: extinction

Question 9:

Plants that are more _______ to the limitations of other necessary chemicals will die as carbon dioxide levels increase.

Correct Answer: sensitive

Question 10:

When plants absorb more carbon dioxide to make more of themselves, this is called carbon _________ or carbon _________.

Correct Answer: sequestration

Educational Standards

B.LS2.2:[Standard] Use mathematical representations to support and revise explanations based on evidence about factors affecting biodiversity and populations in ecosystems of different scales. B.LS4.5:[Standard] Evaluate the evidence supporting claims that changes in environmental conditions may result in (1) increases in the number of individuals of some species, (2) the emergence of new species over time, and (3) the extinction of other species. B.LS2.5:[Standard] Develop a model to illustrate the role of photosynthesis and cellular respiration in the cycling of carbon among the biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere.

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