Standard 6a Preknowledge
6a) Students know biodiversity is the sum total of different kinds of organisms and is affected by alterations of habitats.
CALIFORNIA FRAMEWORKS SUMMARY:
Biodiversity refers to the collective variety of living organisms in an ecosystem. This structure is influenced by alterations in habitat, including but not limited to climatic changes, fire, flood, and invasion by organisms from another system. The more biodiversity in an ecosystem, the greater its stability and resiliency. The best way for students to learn about ecology is to master the principles of the subject through careful study and then to make firsthand observations of ecosystems in action over time.
Although field trips are the ideal way to implement this process and should be encouraged, even career scientists often use models to study ecology. Local ecologists from government, private industry, or university programs may also be willing to serve as guest speakers in the classroom. Viewing the Internet’s many virtual windows that show actual ecological experiments can also help students understand the scientific basis of ecology.