Threats to biodiversity
In this activity, students research three aspects of biodiversity loss – direct species loss, habitat loss and pests and weeds.
Coastal biodiversity
An example of the biodiversity on the West Coast. New Zealand’s native biodiversity is unique, born of long isolation as small islands in a vast ocean.
By the end of this activity, students should be able to:
discuss aspects of biodiversity and threats to it
carry out online research and share ideas
understand some ways biodiversity loss is being tackled in New Zealand.
Download the Word file (see link below) for:
introduction/background
what you need
what to do.
Related content
The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment was concerned at the growing risk and the lack of a call to arms on the weed front. Learn about the investigative report that was commissioned to review weed management in New Zealand. Discover some of the issues they identified and possible solutions in Tackling weeds to safeguard native ecosystems.
Climate change and impacts on biodiversity explores additional problems climate change creates for living things and how it has the potential to worsen existing threats.
Seed banks on Aotearoa protect biodiversity for grassland plants, cereals and a selection of threatened native plant species.
Activity ideas
Combine science with reading, writing and viewing in the Identifying bugs activity with Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research's easy-to-use web pages.
In Introducing biodiversity, students make models of a marine ecosystem and then explore ways humans might impact on that ecosystem.
