Year 10 Science · Unit 1 · Lesson 11
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Learning Goals
Real-world context
Australia is one of only 17 "megadiverse" countries on Earth, harbouring over one million native species, roughly 80% of which are found nowhere else. This remarkable biodiversity has three levels: genetic diversity (differences in DNA between individuals of the same species), species diversity (the number of different species in an area), and ecosystem diversity (the variety of habitats and ecological communities). Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples have classified and managed this biodiversity for at least 65,000 years using knowledge systems that are distinct from, but complementary to, Western taxonomy.
(a) Describe one example of each of the three levels of biodiversity, genetic, species and ecosystem, using Australian organisms or habitats as your examples.
(b) Australia has high endemism, most of its species are found nowhere else. Using the concept of evolution and the tree of life, explain why Australia's long isolation as a continent has produced so many unique species.
Compare two
Complete the table to compare Western Linnaean taxonomy with Indigenous classification systems.
| Feature | Linnaean (Western) Taxonomy | Indigenous Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Criteria used to group organisms | ||
| Naming system used | ||
| How knowledge is transmitted | ||
| What information it reveals about an organism | ||
| One strength each system has that the other lacks |
1. Evolution is called the "unifying theory of biology" because it connects every sub-discipline, genetics, ecology, palaeontology, anatomy and biogeography. Choose two of these sub-disciplines and explain how evolution connects them.
2. Alfred Russel Wallace independently proposed natural selection at the same time as Darwin. What does this independent discovery tell us about the nature of scientific evidence, and how does it strengthen the case for evolution?
Wrap Up
In one sentence, explain why a country with high endemism, like Australia, needs especially strong conservation laws.