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Environmental Science
Conservation Biology: Preserving Biodiversity in a Changing World

Conservation Biology: Preserving Biodiversity in a Changing World

Environmental Science Grades High School 13:53 Video

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Lesson Description

Explore the critical role of conservation biology in addressing the sixth mass extinction, understanding human impact, environmental injustices, and the importance of biodiversity.

Video Resource

Conservation Biology: Sixth Mass Extinction?: Crash Course Biology #10

CrashCourse

Duration: 13:53

Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

Biodiversity: genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity
Human impact: habitat loss, invasive species, pollution, and climate change
Conservation biology: restoration ecology, wildlife corridors, and governmental regulation

Learning Objectives

Define biodiversity and explain its importance at the genetic, species, and ecosystem levels.
Analyze the various ways human activities impact biodiversity and ecosystems.
Describe different conservation strategies and their effectiveness in preserving biodiversity.

Educator Instructions

Introduction (5 mins)
Begin by watching the Crash Course Biology video on Conservation Biology. Focus students' attention on the Jenga tower analogy and the concept of the sixth mass extinction.
Human Impact Discussion (15 mins)
Discuss the various ways humans impact the environment, including habitat destruction, invasive species, pollution, and climate change. Emphasize the ripple effects of these impacts on ecosystems and human communities.
Environmental Injustices Case Study (15 mins)
Analyze the concept of environmental injustices using the examples provided in the video (Cancer Alley, Ecuador, San Quintín). Discuss the intersection of environmental damage and social inequality.
Conservation Strategies and Restoration Ecology (20 mins)
Explore different conservation strategies such as restoration ecology (Green Belt Movement), wildlife corridors, captive breeding programs, and governmental regulations. Discuss the Yellowstone wolf reintroduction case study and its complexities.
Wrap-up and Reflection (5 mins)
Summarize the key concepts of the lesson and encourage students to reflect on their role in conservation efforts.

Interactive Exercises

Biodiversity Audit
Students conduct a mini-audit of their school grounds or local park, identifying different species and assessing the overall biodiversity of the area. They then propose conservation strategies to enhance biodiversity.
Invasive Species Debate
Students research a local invasive species and debate the best strategies for managing or eradicating it, considering both ecological and economic factors.

Discussion Questions

How does the Jenga tower analogy effectively illustrate the importance of biodiversity?
What are some specific examples of how human activities have negatively impacted biodiversity in your local community?
How can conservation efforts address environmental injustices and promote social equity?
What are the ethical considerations involved in conservation, such as balancing human needs with the needs of other species?

Skills Developed

Critical thinking
Problem-solving
Data analysis
Communication

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

What is the primary goal of conservation biology?

Exploiting natural resources for economic gain.

Preserving the variety of Earth's species and ecosystems.

Promoting urban development in natural habitats.

Ignoring the impact of human activities on the environment.

Correct Answer: Preserving the variety of Earth's species and ecosystems.

Question 2:

Which of the following is NOT a level of biodiversity?

Genetic diversity

Species diversity

Ecosystem diversity

Planetary diversity

Correct Answer: Planetary diversity

Question 3:

What is a major threat to biodiversity caused by humans?

Increased solar radiation.

Habitat destruction.

Decreased volcanic activity.

Spontaneous generation of new species.

Correct Answer: Habitat destruction.

Question 4:

What term describes species that are introduced to a new environment and outcompete native species?

Endangered species

Native species

Invasive species

Keystone species

Correct Answer: Invasive species

Question 5:

What does restoration ecology aim to do?

To completely remove all human influence from an ecosystem.

To return a habitat to its previous state.

To introduce new, non-native species to an ecosystem.

To create artificial ecosystems in urban areas.

Correct Answer: To return a habitat to its previous state.

Question 6:

What is an environmental injustice?

The fair and equal distribution of environmental benefits and burdens.

When environmental damage disproportionately affects some groups over others.

When nature acts unjustly, like a flash flood.

A system that gives equal rights to all species on Earth.

Correct Answer: When environmental damage disproportionately affects some groups over others.

Question 7:

What was the Green Belt Movement, founded by Dr. Wangari Maathai, primarily focused on?

Promoting deforestation for economic development.

Planting trees to provide resources and preserve ecosystems.

Advocating for stricter regulations on pesticide use.

Encouraging the introduction of invasive species.

Correct Answer: Planting trees to provide resources and preserve ecosystems.

Question 8:

What are wildlife corridors designed to do?

Isolate animal populations to prevent the spread of disease.

Enable animals to move more easily between patches of habitat.

Restrict animal movement to specific areas.

Attract animals to urban areas for human entertainment.

Correct Answer: Enable animals to move more easily between patches of habitat.

Question 9:

Why is genetic diversity important for a species?

It makes the species more vulnerable to threats.

It ensures that all individuals are identical.

It increases the chances that a population will survive challenges.

It decreases the rate of evolution.

Correct Answer: It increases the chances that a population will survive challenges.

Question 10:

What was the effect of reintroducing wolves to Yellowstone National Park?

It led to the extinction of several elk species.

It had no significant impact on the ecosystem.

It helped reduce the elk population and allowed trees to recover.

It resulted in increased soil erosion and water pollution.

Correct Answer: It helped reduce the elk population and allowed trees to recover.

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

The science that focuses on understanding and combating threats to life on Earth is called ______________.

Correct Answer: conservation biology

Question 2:

The variety of life on Earth, including the variety of genes, species, and ecosystems, is known as ______________.

Correct Answer: biodiversity

Question 3:

A species that is introduced to a new environment and negatively impacts native species is called an ______________ species.

Correct Answer: invasive

Question 4:

When legacies of racist policy intersect with damage to the environment and disproportionately affect some groups over others, it creates what's called ______________.

Correct Answer: environmental injustices

Question 5:

The ecological practice of supporting the return of a habitat to its previous state is known as ______________ ecology.

Correct Answer: restoration

Question 6:

Small habitats that house a wide variety of species are known as ______________ hotspots.

Correct Answer: biodiversity

Question 7:

Structures such as tunnels or land bridges that enable animals to move more easily between patches of habitat are called wildlife ______________.

Correct Answer: corridors

Question 8:

The movement started by Dr. Wangari Maathai in Kenya to plant trees and provide resources to local communities was called the Green Belt ______________.

Correct Answer: Movement

Question 9:

Losing a species and impacting the way other species interact with each other is an example of disrupting the ______________.

Correct Answer: ecosystem

Question 10:

The reintroduction of ______________ to Yellowstone National Park is an example of a successful conservation effort.

Correct Answer: wolves

Educational Standards

EN.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. EN.LS2.7:[Standard] Design, evaluate, and refine a solution for reducing the impacts of human activities on the environment and biodiversity.* EN.ESS3.4:[Standard] Evaluate design solutions for a major global or local environmental problem that reduces or stabilizes the impacts of human activities on natural systems.*

Teaching Materials

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