How would you describe a desert environment?

A desert environment is hot and dry. There isn’t much water in the desert. Animals that live there often live underground.

What are some living things that survive in the desert?

A cactus is a plant that can be found in a desert. Snakes, lizards and coyotes are animals that can live in a desert.

Can you think of animals that live in a cold habitat such as the Arctic?

Polar bears and wolves can live in the Arctic. Arctic foxes and some types of rabbits can live there too.

What kind of animals can be found in a rainforest?

Colorful birds and snakes live in a rainforest. Lots of bugs and a lot of green trees are in a rainforest too. It is estimated that more than 40% of all animals on Earth, live in a rainforest.

Would a desert or a rainforest have a larger variant of living things? Why?

A rainforest would have a larger variety of plants and animals because it has more water. Animals and plants need water to survive.

What kinds of adaptations would an animal need to live in the Arctic?

Animals would need thick fur and lots of fat in order to stay warm.

Why do desert animals build homes underground?

Desert animals build subterranean homes to stay cool in the heat. Underground is also a good place to hide from predators.

Why is a rainforest so much more diverse than the Arctic?

The Arctic is very cold, which makes it tough to survive there. A rainforest gets lots of rain, which causes lots of plants to grow. Plants are homes and food for many different animals. It is also warm in the rainforest.

What kinds of things do raccoons eat?

Raccoons are scavengers, so they eat whatever they can find. Sometimes they dig around in garbage cans for food.

Why does a skunk have very few predators?

Skunks spray stinky liquid that keeps predators away. Any animal that tries to eat a skunk could get sprayed. An owl might try to eat a skunk by attacking it from the sky.

Why do scientists survey areas of land?

Scientists survey areas of land to learn about the types of animals and plants living there. This survey can tell them how diverse an area is.

What could you say about an area with high biodiversity?

It would have a lot of different kinds of plants and animals living there.

How would you describe a desert environment?

A desert environment is hot and dry. There isn’t much water in the desert. Animals that live there often live underground.

What are some living things that survive in the desert?

A cactus is a plant that can be found in a desert. Snakes, lizards and coyotes are animals that can live in a desert.

Can you think of animals that live in a cold habitat such as the Arctic?

Polar bears and wolves can live in the Arctic. Arctic foxes and some types of rabbits can live there too.

What kind of animals can be found in a rainforest?

Colorful birds and snakes live in a rainforest. Lots of bugs and a lot of green trees are in a rainforest too. It is estimated that more than 40% of all animals on Earth, live in a rainforest.

Would a desert or a rainforest have a larger variant of living things? Why?

A rainforest would have a larger variety of plants and animals because it has more water. Animals and plants need water to survive.

What kinds of adaptations would an animal need to live in the Arctic?

Animals would need thick fur and lots of fat in order to stay warm.

Why do desert animals build homes underground?

Desert animals build subterranean homes to stay cool in the heat. Underground is also a good place to hide from predators.

Why is a rainforest so much more diverse than the Arctic?

The Arctic is very cold, which makes it tough to survive there. A rainforest gets lots of rain, which causes lots of plants to grow. Plants are homes and food for many different animals. It is also warm in the rainforest.

What kinds of things do raccoons eat?

Raccoons are scavengers, so they eat whatever they can find. Sometimes they dig around in garbage cans for food.

Why does a skunk have very few predators?

Skunks spray stinky liquid that keeps predators away. Any animal that tries to eat a skunk could get sprayed. An owl might try to eat a skunk by attacking it from the sky.

Why do scientists survey areas of land?

Scientists survey areas of land to learn about the types of animals and plants living there. This survey can tell them how diverse an area is.

What could you say about an area with high biodiversity?

It would have a lot of different kinds of plants and animals living there.

Biodiversity of Life on Earth

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BIODIVERSITY DEFINITION

Biodiversity is the measurement of the number of different kinds of plants and animals that live in an area. Different areas on Earth have different plants and animals.

To better understand diversity of life on Earth…

BIODIVERSITY DEFINITION. Biodiversity is the measurement of the number of different kinds of plants and animals that live in an area. Different areas on Earth have different plants and animals. To better understand diversity of life on Earth…

LET’S BREAK IT DOWN!

The rainforest is a very diverse environment.

More than 40% of the animals and plants on Earth live in the rainforest. The rainforest gets lots of rain, which helps plants grow. Many animals eat these plants.

The rainforest is a very diverse environment. More than 40% of the animals and plants on Earth live in the rainforest. The rainforest gets lots of rain, which helps plants grow. Many animals eat these plants.

Many plants and animals live in the desert.

camel walks through the desert which has biodiversity underground

Deserts are homes to foxes, snakes, birds and lizards. Plants like a cactus can grow in the desert too. Many animals are hard to see there because they hide underground.

Many plants and animals live in the desert. Deserts are homes to foxes, snakes, birds and lizards. Plants like a cactus can grow in the desert too. Many animals are hard to see there because they hide underground.

A pond is home to many different plants and animals.

Fish, birds, frogs and bugs are just a few of the different kinds of plants and animals found near a pond. Many of these animals need to be in water to live, like a frog or a fish.

A pond is home to many different plants and animals. Fish, birds, frogs and bugs are just a few of the different kinds of plants and animals found near a pond. Many of these animals need to be in water to live, like a frog or a fish.

Even your backyard is a diverse environment.

At night, many animals move around our neighborhoods. Some are scavengers, who look for food anywhere they can find it. These animals include raccoons, skunks and mice.

Even your backyard is a diverse environment. At night, many animals move around our neighborhoods. Some are scavengers, who look for food anywhere they can find it. These animals include raccoons, skunks and mice.

Scientists study the biodiversity of life in certain areas.

body observes biodiversity in the forest

Scientists count the number of plants and animals in an area to see if that environment is healthy. If the number of living things goes down, scientists can investigate to find out why.

Scientists study the biodiversity of life in certain areas. Scientists count the number of plants and animals in an area to see if that environment is healthy. If the number of living things goes down, scientists can investigate to find out why.

Biodiversity of Life on Earth

Discussion Questions

Vocabulary

Reading Material

LET’S BREAK IT DOWN!

The rainforest is a very diverse environment.

Many plants and animals live in the desert.

A pond is home to many different plants and animals.

Even your backyard is a diverse environment.

Scientists study the biodiversity of life in certain areas.

DIY Activity Guide

Teacher Resources

Lesson Plan

Lesson Plan

Teacher Guide

Answer Key

Assessment

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