Achievement Task

You have just received a notice in your mailbox regarding a real estate development company that wants to get zoning changed in a nearby meadow area so they can build a condominium complex for seniors on the land.  The real estate developer has produced a beautiful glossy brochure showing the plans for the area and your neighbors are quite impressed. Everyone seems to feel this type of development would only add to their property values and would get rid of all that high grass, weeds, and shrubs which are now growing on the vacant land.  Realizing this is the only undeveloped land around it seems for several kilometers, you are hesitant and have decided to research the usefulness of this meadow area from the viewpoint of preserving its biological diversity.  City council will be meeting next week to decide whether or not to approve the zoning change. 

Part A:  Research the Issue

1. Very simply, what does the term biodiversity mean?

2. Biodiversity is more than just a question of how many different types of animals and plants are around.  There are two other levels of variety which scientists are also interested in.  One of these is variation within a species.  Why might scientists prefer variety within the species?  Scientists are also interested in variation between ecosystems.  Why might scientists be interested in preserving as many varied ecosystems as possible?

3. What two types of ecosystems have the greatest biodiversity?  What is particularly significant about how we have been treating each of those ecosystems?

4. What factors are threatening biodiversity on this planet?  Give an example of how humans are affecting each of factors you listed.

5. What are biodiversity hotspots?

6. What determines whether an area is deemed to be a hotspot or not?  Where are the hottest of the hotspots located?

Part B:  Analyzing the Data

1. Go to the following website “Biodiversity Increases Ecosystems’ Ability to Absorb CO₂ and Nitrogen”

2. Briefly describe the study and its results. How might the results of this study be useful in alleviating one or more of our global environmental problems?

3. Go to the following website “Biodiversity Crucial for Ecosystems”

4. Describe this study and its results.  How does this study support the need for biodiversity?

Part C:  Create a Presentation

Create a written presentation in defense of maintaining the present zoning restriction in this area. You will present at the city council meeting next week which will decide whether or not to approve the zoning change.