Build a Zoo & Build a Zoo & BiodiversityBiodiversity

Build a Zoo! Activity Turn your desks so that 2 rows are facing each

other with room in between them so that people can walk up and down the aisles.

Set out the researched information about your organism and the picture on the top of your desk

Visit all of the “organism kiosks” presented in the classroom.

Read the information about the organisms and then decide which organisms you want to invest in.

You get $3 million. The price creating the housing and feeding the animals for one year is included in the price of the organism.

Build a Zoo Discussion Questions1. What were the types of organisms that you

chose to purchase? Why?2. Why were some species more expensive than

others?3. What does this activity show you about the

types of animals that you value?Are there reasons for valuing some species over others? If yes, what are they? If no, why not?

4. Do you think that as humans we should invest in biodiversity?

5. Do you think that the cost of conservation preservation is worth the benefit?

Biodiversity

The number of different species in an area

When we think of biodiversity we mostly think of animals, but the truth is, a healthy planet requires plants, animals, insects, and fungus to be sustainable.

There are actually more species of insects than all of the other types of species (animals, plants, fungus) combined!

How many different species do you think there are?

950,000 Insects 270,000 Plants 255,000 Vertebrates/ other animals 80,000 Protists 72,000 Fungi 4,000 Bacteria

What animals need protecting? Threatened species- species close to becoming

endangered species– Ex: Albatross, emu, humpback whale, fur seal, bald eagle

Endangered species- organisms at risk of becoming extinct – Ex: giant panda, coral reef, tiger cat

Protected species- species protected under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Federal charges for killing these species.

Should we protect Should we protect animals that are going animals that are going

extinct????extinct????

Exit Slip

1. Define biodiversity in your own words.

2. How many insect species are there?

3. What is the difference between threatened and endangered species?