Curated OER
Sustainable Forestry
High schoolers evaluate a forest for timber harvest and discuss potential impacts of logging. In this sustainable forestry lesson, they work in groups in a forested plot to choose trees to cut based on species and stem diameter and then...
Curated OER
Historical Harbor Habitats
Tenth graders create food web displays in the classroom. In this ecology lesson, 10th graders identify the different pollutants in the environment and their effect on organisms. They collect samples of sediments from the harbor and...
Curated OER
Measuring Biodiversity
Students collect species data from a mock intertidal community. For this biology lesson, students graph their data and analyze the species in it. They construct a species accumulation curve and present it to class.
Curated OER
The Lesson: Species Under Threat
Students consider the plight of endangered species. In this global studies lesson, students research selected websites about endangered animals and identify global issues that contribute to their demise.
University of California
Ucmp: Life Has a History
This is a very good introduction to the role evolution plays in the development of biodiversity. These topics and extinction are explained with the use of colorful interactive pictures.
University of California
Ucmp: Life Has a History
University of California site showcases how different types of organisms exist on the Earth and the history of life.
American Museum of Natural History
American Museum of Natural History: O Logy: The Tree of Life
Learn about the diversity of species on Earth by exploring a cladogram, a graph-like tree of life that illustrates relatedness among species. Includes instructions for reading cladograms and a pie chart that summarizes the percentages of...
Encyclopedia of Earth
Encyclopedia of Earth: Biodiversity: Species
Defines the term species and the origin of the concept. Provides estimates of numbers of species in different biological categories, explains what endangered species are, and what ring species are. (Published: May 26, 2010)
Other
Introduction to the Biosphere: Characteristics of the Earth's Terrestrial Biomes
From Chapter 9 of a textbook on physical geography that covers the biosphere. Important vocabulary is highlighted and linked to a glossary. It explains the characteristics of a biome, and describes the features of the eight different...
Georgia Department of Education
Ga Virtual Learning: Ap Environmental Science: Terrestrial Biomes and Land Use
How we can live sustainably on our natural resources while also preserving enough nature so these resources can be replenished represents one of the most important questions in environmental science. Through learning about terrestrial...
Globio
Glossopedia: Species
A species is defined as a single kind of animal, plant or creature. Examples of different species are given and how the many species that exist relate to biodiversity. Scientific naming conventions are introduced.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Microbial Communities
This 1986 journal article reports that most microbial communities have escaped description. Article covers communities and ecosystems, microbial communities in termite intestines, microbial mats in evaporite flats, and microbial...
PBS
Pbs Kids: Feed the Dingo
Help build the Australian desert ecosystem by filling it with appropriate plants and animals.
PBS
Garden of Eden: Seychelles
This interactive site on Seychelles discusses species diversity and much more! Learn all about how an island forms, how supercontinents divide, and why this atoll boasts both giant and miniature forms of species.
University of California
University of California Museum of Paleontology: Evolution 101: Speciation
In this tutorial students can learn the definition of species, how new species evolve, and the processes that can cause new species to arise. At the end of the tutorial students can take a quiz to evaluate what they learned about...
Sea World Parks & Entertainment
Sea World: Biodiversity
Depicts biodiversity with a brief narrative. Includes vocabulary, bibliography, and one activity. Subject matter at an upper intermediate grade level or higher.
Biology 4 kids
Biology4 Kids: Kingdoms = Group, Species = Individuals
An introspective discussion about how scientists determine the specific characteristics of individual species.
A-Z Animals
A Z Animals: Reference: Habitats: Rainforest
Find out about the plant and animal interactions within the rainforest ecosystem.
American Museum of Natural History
American Museum of Natural History: Ology: Saving Species
Click on the country name to travel to the Bahamas, Madagascar, and Australia to see what scientists are learning about different species, what roles they play in their ecosystems, and how we can best protect them. Click on the starred...
Soft Schools
Soft Schools: Diversity Quiz
Take this interactive, multiple-choice quiz over ecological biodiversity, then review your score and any missed questions at the end.
McGraw Hill
Glencoe Science: Biodiversity and Conservation: Chapter Test Practice
Take this fifteen question practice assessment to review the concepts of biological diversity and conservation.
Other
Southern African Water Crisis: Some Grassland Facts
Here you can read a fact sheet on South African grasslands. Content includes a look at origins, water supply, plants and animals, economics, and current conservation status.
PBS
Nh Pbs: Nature Works: Species Diversity
If your wondering about the biodiversity of species on Earth, then check out Natureworks from New Hampshire Public Television. A brief definition is included as well as some interesting facts on species diversity.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Biology: Biodiversity
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Describes the meaning of biodiversity. Includes videos and review questions.