Biodiversity refers to the variety of life on Earth, including the genetic diversity within species, diversity of species, and diversity of ecosystems. There are over 2 million identified species but many more remain unknown. Biodiversity is important because all living things interact in complex ways and biodiversity provides intrinsic value as well as utilitarian value like goods, services, information, oxygen, food, clean water, and medicine to humans. However, biodiversity is declining at an alarming rate due to threats like habitat destruction, pollution, invasive species, climate change, and exploitation, so conservation efforts are needed.

1. Biodiversity: Who cares?

2. Which do you like better? A B

3. Which do you like better? A B

4. Which do you like better? A B

5. Which do you like better? A B

6. A B Which do you like better?

7. Which do you like better? A B

8. Which do you like better? A B

9. What do you think biodiversity means?

10. Bio = Bio diversity What does “ Bio ” mean? Life

11. Bio diversity D i v e r s i t y = V a r i e t y What does “ Diversity ” mean?

14. Diversity of species For example, monkeys, dragonflies, and meadow beauties are all different species. Saki Monkey Golden Skimmer Meadow Beauty There are 3 components of biodiversity

15. Variety of ecosystems Prairies, Ponds, and tropical rain forests are all ecosystems. Each one is different, with its own set of species living in it. Paines Prairie Hoh Rain Forest Florida Sand hill Pond There are 3 components of biodiversity

16. Which is more diverse? A B

17. Which is more diverse? A B

18. Which is more diverse? A B

19. Which is more diverse? A B

20. A B Which has more cultural diversity?

21. Which has more biodiversity? A B

22. Which has more biodiversity? A B

23. Biodiversity has Intrinsic Value Intrinsic Value = Something that has value in and of itself