Download 7.1 Our Planet of Life

Name
Class
Date
7.1 Our Planet of Life
Key Concepts
Species diversity, genetic diversity, and ecosystem diversity are all parts of an area’s
overall biodiversity.
Biodiversity varies among taxonomic groups and geographic regions.
Biodiverse ecosystems provide economically valuable services and products.
Vocabulary Preview
Define each vocabulary term in your own words. Then, write yourself a quick note on
how you will remember each. One term has been done for you.
Term
Definition
How I Remember
Biodiversity
Species
diversity
The number or variety of species in a
particular region
Genetic
diversity
Ecosystem
diversity
114
I remember that species are specific
types of organisms and diversity
refers to all different kinds.
Name
Class
Date
Biodiversity
1.
Fill in the diagram with terms from the word bank to show how these
three levels of biodiversity are related. Then, write a caption for the diagram on the lines
below.
ecosystem diversity genetic diversity
species diversity
Overall Biodiversity
A.
B.
C.
2. Place the following taxonomic groups in order, from largest to smallest: class, domain,
family, genus, kingdom, order, phylum, species, subspecies.
3. How does genetic diversity affect a population’s chances of survival?
4. Provide one example of an area with high ecosystem diversity and one example of an area
with low ecosystem diversity.
115
Name
Class
Date
Biodiversity Distribution
5. Why is estimating the number of species on Earth so difficult and why do these estimates
vary so greatly?
6. Which group of animal has the greatest known species diversity?
7. Would you expect to find greater biodiversity near Earth’s poles or near the equator?
Explain your answer.
8. Which type of habitat would have greater species diversity—a small forest or a large field
of corn? Why?
Benefits of Biodiversity
For Questions 9–12, complete each statement by writing in the correct word or words.
9. A stable ecosystem is both
and
.
10.
Genetic
is important for agriculture because wild plant strains
may have useful traits that can be passed on to their crop plant relatives.
11.
Biodiversity is important to the field of
because many treatments,
including some for cancer and heart disease, come from plant compounds.
12.
Environmentally responsible travel to protected areas for the purpose of appreciating
nature, promoting conservation, and providing benefits to local peoples is known as
.
13.
What are ecosystem services? List two examples.
116