Up2Me Kids - Increase Biodiversity

Biological diversity (biodiversity) is the variability among living organisms on the earth, including the variability within and between species and within and between ecosystems.

People rely directly on the diversity of life-forms for shelter, food, goods, services and their livelihoods.

Other indirect uses include pollination, nutrient cycling and regulation of the atmosphere and climate.

A highly diverse ecosystem is a sign of a healthy ecosystem, with more biodiverse ecosystems tending to be more robust and stable due to a stronger ability to evolve and adapt to changing conditions or competition with other species.

The extinction of certain species with no obvious effect on the environment may be argued by some as an indication that biodiversity doesn’t matter in the wider scheme of things. However, we still have so much to learn about the complex interactions between the varied ecosystems and the organisms within them, such that we may not be able to accurately predict the long-term effects of the loss of a particular organism on the concerned ecosystem or the services they provide to humans.

Since we rely so heavily upon the natural environment, it is in our best interests and in the interests of future generations to protect the biodiversity upon earth.

	Increase Biodiversity Biodiversity is the variety of all living things, including plants, animals, insects and micro-organisms and the way they connect to each other. By protecting biodiversity you will be helping to look after a wide variety of plants, animals and insects within your school environment and even beyond. You will be also helping to look after ecosystems, including things like soil and water, upon which all life depends. Part of protecting biodiversity is about looking after threatened species. Have you got ideas on what we can do to protect biodiversity? If so, we'd love to hear from you - email us. Start by doing an audit of your school grounds.

	Why protect biodiversity? Biological diversity (biodiversity) is the variability among living organisms on the earth, including the variability within and between species and within and between ecosystems. People rely directly on the diversity of life-forms for shelter, food, goods, services and their livelihoods. Other indirect uses include pollination, nutrient cycling and regulation of the atmosphere and climate. A highly diverse ecosystem is a sign of a healthy ecosystem, with more biodiverse ecosystems tending to be more robust and stable due to a stronger ability to evolve and adapt to changing conditions or competition with other species. The extinction of certain species with no obvious effect on the environment may be argued by some as an indication that biodiversity doesn’t matter in the wider scheme of things. However, we still have so much to learn about the complex interactions between the varied ecosystems and the organisms within them, such that we may not be able to accurately predict the long-term effects of the loss of a particular organism on the concerned ecosystem or the services they provide to humans. Since we rely so heavily upon the natural environment, it is in our best interests and in the interests of future generations to protect the biodiversity upon earth. Information REDMAP Redmap, a new and interactive website, invites the Tasmanian community to spot, log and map marine species that are uncommon in Tasmania, or along particular parts of our coast.Help track the impact of climate change on our marine species. Go to http://www.redmap.org.au/ http://sustainability.ceres.org.au/schoolProjects.php?action=project&projectsId=12 http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/ecologicalfootprint/calculators/school/introduction.asp http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/wildlife/wildlife.html http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/education/education.html http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/wildlife/mammals/devil.html http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/factsheets/index.html http://www.scrapltd.com.au/programs.htm#biodiversity http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/threatened/index.html http://sustainability.ceres.org.au/schoolProjects.php http://www.csiro.au/csiro/channel/pchek.html http://www.amonline.net.au/biodiversity/ http://www.esfs.org/downloads.htm To find out about a biodiversity project another school is doing http://www.rumad.org.au/projectView.php?id_project=5 Games http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/npws.nsf/Content/Match+the+animals+to+their+habitats http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/education/fox/index.html http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/education/fox/Section10a.pdf

To find out about a biodiversity project another school is doing