Unit D: Changes in Living Systems

Lesson 1.6: Biodiversity and the Heritage of Our Lands

Shopping is likely part of your lifestyle. But what does shopping have to do with environmental quality? The answer may not yet be clear to you. But your shopping choices may cause habitat destruction, a loss of biodiversity, the introduction of invasive species, and other unintended environmental consequences. In this lesson you will reflect on the environmental impact of your lifestyle and the lifestyles of other people.


The theme of this lesson is Woodland Caribou.  A critical part of the caribou diet are lichens that require many decades to grow, so they are found only in old growth forests.  Woodland Caribou roam hundreds of square kilometers in small groups to acquire the lichen they need.  Constant movement helps them escape predators.  
Woodland Caribou are now endangered because of habitat fragmentation and habitat destruction.  Make sure you can give examples of how habitat fragmentation and destruction affect caribou.

 
If you do not have a group to work with, develop the bulletin on your own. Ask for feedback from your supervisor and from your family and friends. Base your evaluation on this feedback and on your own reflection of your work’s quality.


Western and Northern Canada are rich in mineral resources.  One technique for discovering resources deep in the earth is seismic survey.  Seismic waves are sound waves that are reflected at the boundaries between rock layers.  Seismic waves are produced and the reflected waves are collected by microphones.  Computers collect these signals and use them to make maps of the boundaries between rocks that give clues to what might be underground.
Seismic survey is important for obtaining resources, but it does disturb ecosystems by contributing to habitat fragmentation.


  • Read the remainder of page 460 of the textbook, all of page 461, and page 462 to “1.6 Summary”.  No need to answer the questions.  

  • Read “1.6 Summary” on page 462 of the textbook. Then, complete “1.6 Questions”.

    Science 20 Textbook.  Albert Education


Go to Assignment 1.6: Biodiversity and the Heritage of Our Lands.