Biology Essentials- Biodiversity
Guided Viewing Worksheet
1: What is biodiversity?
It is how different or how much the organisms vary in an ecosystem.
2: What are we doing to decrease biodiversity? What is a monoculture?
Farming can decrease biodiversity. A monoculture is just one type of species.
3: How much of our planet’s species have been identified?
Only half of the species of the planet have been identified.
4: What is a keystone species? What is an example? Why are they important?
A keystone species is a species that an ecosystem cannot work without. An example would be a beaver as they keep water in a still position that many animals very much need. A keystone species is important due to the fact that they help an ecosystem succeed in succession.
5: E.O. Wilson stated, “ The one process ongoing that will take millions of years to correct is the
loss of genetic and species diversity by the destruction of natural habitats. This is the folly that
our descendents are least likely to forgive us.”
Discuss this statement. What is the #1 cause of species decline?
This statement says that because of our actions, many ecosystems are becoming less diverse. In order to fix this, many of years will be needed. We are the #1 cause of species decline, also known as humans.
It is how different or how much the organisms vary in an ecosystem.
2: What are we doing to decrease biodiversity? What is a monoculture?
Farming can decrease biodiversity. A monoculture is just one type of species.
3: How much of our planet’s species have been identified?
Only half of the species of the planet have been identified.
4: What is a keystone species? What is an example? Why are they important?
A keystone species is a species that an ecosystem cannot work without. An example would be a beaver as they keep water in a still position that many animals very much need. A keystone species is important due to the fact that they help an ecosystem succeed in succession.
5: E.O. Wilson stated, “ The one process ongoing that will take millions of years to correct is the
loss of genetic and species diversity by the destruction of natural habitats. This is the folly that
our descendents are least likely to forgive us.”
Discuss this statement. What is the #1 cause of species decline?
This statement says that because of our actions, many ecosystems are becoming less diverse. In order to fix this, many of years will be needed. We are the #1 cause of species decline, also known as humans.