What is Biodiversity?

This page contains the following sections
	Understanding Ecosystems • Resources • Activities

What is biodiversity?
What are the three different types of biodiversity: species, genetic and ecosystem?
How does Australia’s unique biodiversity provide ecosystem services (see section on ecosystem services)?
What value does biodiversity have in food resources, tourism and medicine now and in the future?
What inherent value does biodiversity have?

Type	Description	Resources Covering the Topic
Easy	- Food Webs. - Online activities and resources.	Gould League http://www.gould.edu.au/foodwebs/ index.html#food%20webs
	- South Australian Urban Forest Biodiversity Program. - Provides links to information on what biodiversity is and why we should value it. - Provides resources, information and assistance in helping school groups in learning about biodiversity and taking action to address issues in the environment.	South Australian Urban Forest Biodiversity Program http://www.urbanforest.on.net/main.htm
	- Biowhat? - Comprehensive introduction to how schools can get involved in learning about and taking action to protect biodiversity.	South Australian Urban Forest Biodiversity Program http://www.urbanforest.on.net/main.htm
	- Our Patch/Catchment Care. - Provides resources, information and assistance in helping school groups in learning about biodiversity and taking action to address issues in the environment.	Contact your local Our Patch / Catchment Care http://www.catchments.net/
	- What is Biodiversity? - Lots of fact sheets about Australian biodiversity issues.	Australian Museum Online http://www.amonline.net.au/biodiversity/what/index.htm
	- What is biodiversity and why does it matter if we lose it?	Greening Australia http://www.greeningaustralia.org.au/GA/NAT/ OnGroundAction/CombatingTheCrisis/ Biodiversity/
	- Loss of native fish and introduction of exotic fish due to changed European land use in the Murray-Darling Basin.	National Museum of Australia http://www.nma.gov.au/education/ann/game5info.htm
More Comprehensive	- Biodiversity and its Value. - Explains genetic, ecosystem and species diversity and much more.	Environment Australia http://www.ea.gov.au/biodiversity/publications/series/ paper1/index.html#1
	- What is Biodiversity? Why is it important?	SA Parks and Wildlife http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/parks/ bio_education.html
	- PDF downloads worth the wait with main issues covered. - Click on the education button and go to the list. Open Freshwater Ecosystems: Biodiversity Management Issues Brochures. Thorough covering of: • Changes to Natural Flow Patterns • Changes to Temperature Patterns • Changes to Riparian Vegetation • Sedimentation of Rivers and Streams • Toxic Material • Increased Salinity • Removal of Woody Debris • Changes to River Channels • Instream Barriers - Introducing Fish Outside Their Natural Range.	VIC Government Natural Resources and Environment http://www.nre.vic.gov.au/web/root/domino/cm_da/ nrenpa.nsf/frameset/ NRE Plants and Animals?OpenDocument
	- South Australia’s Marine Biodiversity.	SA Department of Environment and Heritage http://www.deh.sa.gov.au/coasts/ marine_biodiversity.html
	- Aquatic Biodiversity. - Describes all of the different types of aquatic biodiversity.	EPA NSW http://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/soe/soe2000/bb/ bb_3.htm#bb_3_h091
	- Ecosystem Biodiversity in Australia.	MESA http://www.mesa.edu.au/seaweek99/tr_04.htm
	- Biodiversity, soil and ecologically sustainable development.	Environment Australia http://www.ea.gov.au/biodiversity/publications/articles/ soil.html
	- Why should we care about biodiversity? - Global and national perspective.	Biodiversity Conservation Network http://www.bcnet.org/bsp/bcn/why/biodvr2.htm
	- Biodiversity. - Plants and animals, sustainable use, threatened species and more.	SA Government Department of Environment and Heritage http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/biodiversity/
	- The value of preserving South Australia’s marine biodiversity.	SA Government Department of Environment and Heritage http://www.deh.sa.gov.au/coasts/ marine_biodiversity.html
More Complex	- Biodiversity, the Most Fundamental Issue. - Speech given by the eminent Thomas J Lovejoy. - A comprehensive and thorough look at biodiversity.	Environment Australia http://www.ea.gov.au/biodiversity/publications/ articles/lovejoy.html
	- Comprehensive arguments for the value of conservation including the value of biodiversity. - Examines real dollar value of nature.	Biodiversity and Conservation http://darwin.bio.uci.edu/~sustain/bio65/lec07/ b65lec07.htm#Environmental%20Services
	- Stories from across the world demonstrating projects that are addressing threats to biodiversity.	Biodiversity Conservation Network http://www.bcnet.org/bsp/bcn/projects.htm

Band	Activity	Contact
Early Years	- Our Patch and Catchment Care Programs. - Run by the Patawalonga and Torrens, Onkaparinga and North Adelaide and Barossa Catchment Water Management Boards. - Programs assist students in learning about biodiversity issues and assist in activities that address associated environmental problems.	SA Catchment Water Management Boards http://www.catchments.net/
	- Create a River Habitat. - Classroom drawing activity.	North Adelaide and Barossa Catchment Water Management Board http://www.nab.waterwatch.org.au/
	- Act-an-Aquatic. - Uses dressing up to explore a variety of adaptations of aquatic creatures.	Onkaparinga Catchment Water Management Board http://www.onkaparinga.net/caring/ waterwatch.shtml#aquatic
	- The Lifecycle of a Butterfly. - Lots of activities, photos and detailed information about different types of butterflies.	Stradbroke Primary School http://www.stradsch.sa.edu.au/miers/
Primary Years	- Our Patch and Catchment Care Programs. - Run by the Patawalonga and Torrens, Onkaparinga and North Adelaide and Barossa Catchment Water Management Boards. - Programs assist students in learning about biodiversity issues and assist in activities that address associated environmental problems.	SA Catchment Water Management Boards http://www.catchments.net/
	- Web site provides links to activities through the Biowhat? Kit. - A starter kit for primary schools, to conserve and promote biodiversity in their school community.	South Australian Urban Forest Biodiversity Program http://www.urbanforest.on.net/main.htm
	- Explore Your Wetland. - Organise a trip to your local wetland and we will assist you in learning about how they work.	Onkaparinga Catchment Water Management Board http://www.onkaparinga.net/caring/ waterwatch.shtml#aquatic
	- Why Wetlands? - The role of wetlands in improving water quality and provision of habitats.	KESAB Patawalonga and Torrens Waterwatch http://www.cwmb.sa.gov.au/kwc/section1/1-11.htm
	- A range of Murray River habitats activities to do in the classroom. - Download and print off sheets to participate. - Many activities for the Primary Years.	The Murray Urban Users Committee http://www.murrayusers.sa.gov.au/ teaching_resources.htm#Primary%20Years%20Band Year%203-Year%205
	- River Habitats. - Classroom and outdoor activity session that focuses on what habitats are, why they are important, different habitat types and conducting habitat surveys. - Lower Murray region only.	River Murray Waterwatch http://www.sa.waterwatch.org.au/catchmen.htm http://www.lm.net.au/~sacare/waterwatch/index.html
	- Food Webs. - Primary school activities and teacher notes.	Gould League http://www.gould.edu.au/foodwebs/ index.html#food%20webs
	- Lots of activities, descriptions and facts about habitats of the world.	Enchanted Learning http://www.enchantedlearning.com/biomes/ pond/pondlife.shtml
	- Guided walks, education officer assisted lessons, hands on kits, special events and Aboriginal guides for indigenous plant use walks.	SA Government Ecosystems Biodiversity and Native Vegetation Botanic Gardens http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/botanicgardens/ education.html
Middle Years	- Our Patch and Catchment Care Programs. - Run by the Patawalonga and Torrens, Onkaparinga and North Adelaide Barossa Catchment Water Management Boards. - Programs assist students in learning about biodiversity issues and assist in activities that address associated environmental problems.	SA Catchment Water Management Boards http://www.catchments.net/
	- Why Wetlands? - The role of wetlands in improving water quality and provision of habitats.	KESAB Patawalonga and Torrens Waterwatch http://www.cwmb.sa.gov.au/kwc/section1/1-11.htm
	- Food Webs. - Secondary school activities and teacher notes.	Gould League http://www.gould.edu.au/foodwebs/ index.html#food%20webs
	- River Habitats. - Classroom and outdoor activity session that focuses on what habitats are, why they are important, different types and conducting habitat surveys. - Lower Murray region only.	River Murray Waterwatch http://www.sa.waterwatch.org.au/catchmen.htm http://www.lm.net.au/~sacare/waterwatch/index.html
	- A range of River Murray habitats activities to do in the classroom. - Download and print off sheets to participate. - Many activities for the Middle years.	The Murray Urban Users Committee http://www.murrayusers.sa.gov.au/ teaching_resources.htm#Primary%20Years%20Band Year%203-Year%205
	- Guided Walks. - Education officer assisted lessons, hands on kits, special events and Aboriginal guides for indigenous plant use walks.	SA Government Botanic Gardens http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/botanicgardens/ education.html