MODULE 3: biological diversity

Biodiversity is important to balance the Earth’s ecosystems. Biodiversity can be affected slowly or quickly over time by natural selective pressures. Human impact can also affect biodiversity over a shorter time period. In this module, students learn about the Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection and the effect of various selective pressures.

Monitoring biodiversity is key to being able to predict future change. Monitoring, including the monitoring of abiotic factors in the environment, enables ecologists to design strategies to reduce the effects of adverse biological change. Students investigate adaptations of organisms that increase the organism’s ability to survive in their environment.