Year 7 Science · Unit 1 · Lesson 17

Biodiversity

Foundation Worksheet

Name

Date

Class

Learning Goals

Name and describe the three levels of biodiversity: genetic, species and ecosystem.
Explain why biodiversity matters using examples of ecosystem services.
Identify Australia as a megadiverse country and describe two biodiversity hotspots.

Warm Up

Sort it!

Write each item from the pool into the correct category box below. Each item belongs to exactly one level of biodiversity.

Variation in quoll fur patterns Number of fish species on the GBR Different coat colours in labrador dogs Coral reef vs rainforest vs desert Number of native bee species in a paddock Genetic differences between eastern grey kangaroos Alpine meadow ecosystem Urban wetland ecosystem Mix of kangaroos, wallabies and possums in one area Genetic resistance to disease in a bandicoot population

Genetic Diversity

Species Diversity

Ecosystem Diversity

Your Turn

Fill the gap

Choose the correct word from the word bank to complete the paragraph below. Use each word once only.

pollination food regulation stability resilience oxygen genetic migration predation

Healthy ecosystems provide humans with a range of free benefits called ecosystem services. Bees and other insects carry out , which is essential for producing about a third of the crops humans eat, including almonds and apples. Trees and the ocean play a role in climate by absorbing carbon dioxide. High biodiversity also improves ecosystem , meaning it can better withstand disturbances such as drought or disease. When an ecosystem does experience a shock, high biodiversity gives it greater — the ability to bounce back. Forests also produce as a by-product of photosynthesis, which all living things depend on. Even diversity within a single species matters, because it means some individuals may already carry traits that help them survive new threats.

Show What You Know

1. Name the three levels of biodiversity and give one real Australian example for each level.

Recall 3 marks

2. What does it mean for a country to be described as "megadiverse"? Name one group of animals in which Australia has very high endemism (species found nowhere else).

Recall 2 marks

Wrap Up

In one sentence, what was the main idea of this lesson?