UNIT 5: BIODIVERSITY
Introduction to the Galapagos Islands
Click here to explore the Environmental Issues on the Galapagos .
So what is so interesting that tourists flock to the islands? Lets take a look.
Galapagos Islands Episode 1:
Born of Fire Focus Questions-
|
Galapagos Islands Episode 2:
Islands That Changed the World Focus Questions-
|
Galapagos Islands Episode 3:
Forces of Change Focus Questions-
|
TedEd Lesson: Why is biodiversity so important?
Our planet’s diverse, thriving ecosystems may seem like permanent fixtures, but they’re actually vulnerable to collapse. Jungles can become deserts, and reefs can become lifeless rocks. What makes one ecosystem strong and another weak in the face of change? Kim Preshoff details why the answer, to a large extent, is biodiversity.
Complete the Watch, Think, Dig and Discuss on the TedEd "Why is biodiversity Important?" |
Species Categorization
Thriving, At-Risk, Threatened, Endangered and Extinct
Extinct Species Project
Video: September 26, 2014 – AMNH Video: Loneseome George and the World Today: What the Tortoise Taught Us from the Lonesome George exhibit launch at the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH), featuring GC President Johannah Barry and GC Science Advisor Linda Cayot.Lonesome George and the Galapagos Today: What the Tortoise Taught Us
|
|
|
September 22, 2014 – AMNH Video: Preserving Lonesome George produced by the American Museum of Natural History in honor of the Lonesome George museum exhibit in the fall of 2014.
|
FOUND!!!
Fox News reported a tortoise thought to be extinct for 113 years has been rediscovered on a remote volcanic island in the Galapagos. The amazing reptile find was made earlier this week during an Animal Planet expedition led by biologist and “Extinct of Alive” host Forrest Galante. The Fernandina Tortoise, which was thought to have become extinct in 1906, was spotted on February 17. At this stage, it's not known how old the tortoise is. |
Conserving Galapagos Wildlife and Ecosystems to Preserve Biodiversity
Conserving Galapagos Wildlife and Ecosystems
The Challenge
The natural biological processes in the Galapagos Islands have been disrupted by several factors over the last few centuries:
The Challenge
The natural biological processes in the Galapagos Islands have been disrupted by several factors over the last few centuries:
- Ecological damage caused long ago by pirates, whalers, and early settlers;
- An ever-increasing human population (both resident and visitor);
- Marine wildlife and the marine ecosystem have been under tremendous pressure due to fishing activities;
- Increasing boat traffic creates higher potential for the arrival and establishment of invasive marine species, which can negatively impact the native ecosystem.
- The presence of aggressive introduced species;
- Global Warming and changes in ocean temperatures and currents due to global climate change may impact the ecosystem by reducing the food supply for many native species and creating conditions more conducive to some invasive species.
Analyzation
Explore the projects supported by the Galapagos Conservation Groups. Choose one to research and create a presentation to inform your peers about the reality and relevance of the project. Describe what is involved in the project. Analyze it for its effectiveness. Why is this particular effort important? How does the particular creature affect biodiversity on the island? Be prepared to share out. You can gather your thoughts into a Google Doc or Slides by clicking Create to attach it to the classroom post. (Minimum of 2 images included) Must be submitted before presenting.
Explore the projects supported by the Galapagos Conservation Groups. Choose one to research and create a presentation to inform your peers about the reality and relevance of the project. Describe what is involved in the project. Analyze it for its effectiveness. Why is this particular effort important? How does the particular creature affect biodiversity on the island? Be prepared to share out. You can gather your thoughts into a Google Doc or Slides by clicking Create to attach it to the classroom post. (Minimum of 2 images included) Must be submitted before presenting.
Additional Resources
Click Here for a list of Books about the Galapagos
Click Here for the latest news on the Galapagos Islands
Click Here for the latest news on the Galapagos Islands