ARKive Geographic

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ARKive Geographic

• Exploring the Worlds Biodiversity

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A World of Life

• There are almost 1.8 million known species in the
  world

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The Breakdown
Species Total
Mammals 5,490
Birds 9,998
Reptiles 9,084
Amphibians 6,433
Fish 31,300
Invertebrates (insects, crustaceans, etc.) 1.3 million
Plants (all) 321,212
Fungi Protists 51,563
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Biodiversity
the number of different species in a
given area
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Species
an individual belonging to a group of
organisms having common characteristics
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Habitat
the location or environment where a
species is most likely to be found
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Ecosystem
a system that including all the living
organisms in an area, the physical environment
(i.e. water, rocks, weather) and their various
interactions
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Putting it all together
Species
Habitat
Biodiversity
Ecosystem
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Activity 1

• Working together in small groups, choose a
  species that lives on your continent and
  interests you.
• 2. Hold up your species card and ask your group
  to answer the following questions
• a. What is the adult size of this species?
• b. What is the main food source for this
  species?
• c. What are the threats to its conservation?

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Activity 1 (continued)
3. Arrange your continent on the floor with the
other continents, to make one world map. Place
the species cards on the continents where they
live. Stand around the world map for a class
discussion.
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Class Discussion Questions

• What are your first impressions when seeing the
  entire ARKive Geographic World map populated with
  species?
• What are some of the species you never knew
  existed until today?
• What are some of the more interesting facts you
  learned about a species?

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Activity 2
You have been given an opportunity most species
conservationists dream of to save your species
from the threat of extinction
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• Assignments
• One page essay presenting your case for your
  species needs to win the 1 million grant
• 2-3 minute oral presentation to the class.
• - Your fellow students will vote anonymously at
  the end of class to choose which species
  expert wins the grant.
• - Use the ARKive website www.ARKive.org to
  research your species and win the grant!