Diversity of Life

Biodiversity, classification,
Linnaeus, binomial
nomenclature, taxonomic
hierarchies

BIODIVERSITY
The number and variety of
species and ecosystems in an
area, usually on earth
Species?

 Genetic diversity
The genetic variability among
organisms (usually referring to
individuals of the same species)

Structural diversity
The range
of physical shapes and
Species
diversity

sizes within a habitat or ecosystem

Quantity of each species + variety
of different species present in an
area

What is a species?

Different species or the

same?

Different species or the

same?

Are these different species or the

same species?

Different species or the

same?

Is this a species? A liger

Hybridization
The crossbreeding of 2
different
species
Creates a
hybrid (sterile)
Technically not
a species!

Species are:
A group whose members are able to
freely breed among themselves under
natural conditions
Often created through evolutionary
change (the physical and behavioural
changes that occur in an entire
population over a long time)
Often classified using morphology, but
not always
Morphology: the physical appearance

Why is biodiversity important?

Why do we care about species? Think not just
animals

Case studies Effects of climate

change on biodiversity
Effects of rising
temperatures

Changing rainfall
levels

Case studies Human

intervention
Breeding a
monoculture of
livestock or
agricultural crops

Using pesticides
against pests for
crops

Stocking lakes with fish

How can you help?

Solutions

The results

CLASSIFICATION
Taxonomy:
The science of
identifying and
classifying organisms

Binomial nomenclature
Carl Linnaeus
Father of taxonomy
Binomial nomenclature
1st word
Genera (singular = genus): a taxonomic
level made up of a group of similar species

2nd word
Specific name

The 2 words together make up the

species scientific name (and always in

Examples
Genus panthera

Panthera
Panthera
Panthera
Panthera
Panthera

tigris
leo
onca
uncia
pardus

Some weird scientific names

Gaga
germanotta
Gaga
monstraparva
Sylvilagus
palustris hefneri
Caloplaca
obamae
Spongiforma
squarepantsii

I cannot tell the difference between these

KING PHILLIP CAME OVER

FROM GREAT SPAIN
KEEP POND CLEAN OR
FROGGY GETS SICK
K
O

P
F

C
G

Examples

Dichotomous keys

http://en.akinator.com/

Dichotomous keys activity

Worksheet
Dont hand in, will take up tomorrow

Pick or make up a group of similar

characters, logos, imaginary animals
and create a dichotomous key for it
~7 items (e.g. 7 dwarves)
Can work alone or with others
Hand in

Summary note for Oct 20