T E A C H E R S
N O T E S
how to use the biodiversity posters
> The Biodiversity poster set aims to introduce pupils and students from age 16 upwards to the new but vital concept of Biodiversity. > Poster 1 THE VARIETY OF LIFE – introduces biodiversity. The next four illustrate how important biodiversity is to everyone in Scotland. > Poster 2 HIDDEN WEALTH – deals with the products we derive from other species. > Poster 3 LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEMS – about the “services” provided for us by ecosystems and their economic importance. > Poster 4 KEYSTONE SPECIES – is about the balance of ecosystems, and how they effect human activities. > Poster 5 NATURAL INSPIRATION – is about how species and habitats can define our national identity and finally, > Poster 6 IT’S IN YOUR HANDS – is about what everyone can do to conserve biodiversity.
A joint venture between Scottish Natural Heritage and the RSPB
when to use the posters
Though biodiversity is not mentioned often in Higher arrangements, there are many places where it fits in naturally. The table gives some starting points and a poster to start with; from there the poster set can be used to give an overview of biodiversity.
starting points in highers
Subject Grade C 007 11 Intermediate 2 (3rd ed Dec 99) C 007 12 Higher (4th ed Dec 99) C 007 13 Advanced Higher (3rd ed Aug 00) C 012 10 Intermediate 1 (4th ed Dec 99) C 012 11 Intermediate 2 (3rd ed Dec 99) C 012 12 Higher (4th ed Dec 99) C 012 13 Advanced Higher (3rd ed Apr 00) C 039 10 Intermediate 1 (3rd ed Dec 99) Section D 027 11 Unit 2a Ecosystems D 031 11 Unit 3c Control & Regulation D 030 12 Unit 2 Genetics & Adaptation D 031 12 Unit 3c Population Dynamics D 033 13 Environmental Biology D 063 10 Unit 1 D 064 10 Unit 2 D 065 10 Unit 3 D 067 11 Unit 2 Chemistry in Action Everyday Chemistry Chemistry & Life Carbon Compounds Poster References 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 56 56 56 56 56 56 56 56 56 56 56 56 56 56 56 56 456 456 456 456 23456 23456 23456 23456 34 6 34 6 34 6 34 6 34 6 234 6 23456 234 6 3456 23456 56 23456 23456
> Biodiversity is a new word but it brings together some familiar themes that are already part of teaching in every school in Scotland. > Biodiversity is beginning to appear in the news, and over the next few years will form an increasingly important part of thinking and planning on the environment. It is important that students and pupils are familiar with the word, what it means and why it is important.
Biology C 007
4 34 4 34 234 3 23 23 23 3 23 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Chemistry C012
D 070 12 Unit 2 The World of Carbon D 074 13 Organic Chemistry D 075 13 Chemical Investigation D 208 10 Unit 1 Language Study D 210 10 Unit 3a Individual Presentation D 211 10 Unit 3b Group Discussion D 214 10 Unit 4a Specialist Study (Lang) D 215 10 Unit 4b Specialist Study (Oral) D 208 11 Unit 1 Language Study D 210 11 Unit 3a Individual Presentation D 211 11 Unit 3b Group Discussion D 215 11 Unit 4b Specialist Study (Oral) D 208 12 Unit 1 Language Study D 210 12 Unit 3a Individual Presentation D 211 12 Unit 3b Group Discussion D 215 12 Unit 3c Specialist Study (Oral) D 2KG 13 Unit 1 Specialist Study D 200 13 Unit 7 Reading the Media D 461 13 Unit 8 Oral Communication D 235 10 Unit 1 People & the Environment (Scotland) D 237 10 Unit 3 People & the Environment (Global Issues) D 235 11 Unit 1 People & the Environment (Scotland) D 237 1 Unit 3 People & the Environment (Global Issues) D 3VE 12 Geography : Human Core D 239 12 Geography : Applications D 241 13 Geographical Study: Rural & Urban Issues D 242 13 Geographical Issues D 045 12 Unit 3 Behaviour, Populations & the Environment D 309 10 Environmental Issues D 310 10 Ecosystems D 311 10 Land Use D 310 11 Ecosystems D 312 11 Natural Resource Use D 314 11 Local Investigation D 312 12 Natural Resource Use D 314 12 Land Use in Scotland D 317 13 The Environment & Human Action D 318 13 Policy & Practice D 319 13 Managing the Natural Heritage D 320 13 Environmental Investigation
English C039
B I O D I V E R S I T Y P O S T E R S
using the posters
> One of the reasons that biodiversity is important is that it shows how essential the living world is to us and the vital role that living things play in achieving a sustainable society (see the SNH poster series for more about sustainability). It is important that from the starting points in the table, you lead the pupils through the rest of the series – dealing with just one will give a lop-sided view of biodiversity.
C 039 11 Intermediate 2 (3rd ed Dec 99)
C 039 12 Higher (4th ed 99)
C 039 13 Advanced Higher (2nd ed Apr 00) Geography C042 C 042 10 Intermediate 1 (3rd ed Nov 99)
C 042 11 Intermediate 2 (3rd ed Nov 99)
> Each poster has been designed to show a pair of apparently unconnected images, with biodiversity, the largest word on the poster, providing the link. Ask the students to identify the objects on the poster, and try to establish links between them. The text on the poster gives part of the biodiversity link, and the teachers notes complete the link.
Human Biology C007 Managing Environmental Resources C055
C 042 12 Higher (5th ed Feb 01) C 042 13 Advanced Higher (3rd ed Mar 01) C 007 12 Higher (4th ed Dec 99) C 055 10 Intermediate 1 (4th ed – no date) C 055 11 Intermediate 2 (4th ed Mar 01) C 055 12 Higher (3rd ed Dec 99) C 055 13 Advanced Higher (2nd ed Dec 99)
> Each set of teachers notes has a set of project ideas in part 3.
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> It is important that they know what they can do to help. Too much teaching about the environment has been negative and about problems. While the problems are very real, we must make sure that we show young people that something can be done – and that they can play a part in it. We must also show them that there are success stories. Some of these can be found in the teachers notes in this series.
1 1 1
B I O D I V E R S I T Y – I N
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N U T S H E L L
“Biodiversity, the planet’s most valuable resource, is on loan to us from our children.” > Biodiversity is a recently-made-up word which is closely associated with major international initiatives to protect the world’s natural heritage. This information sheet looks at biodiversity as “a big new idea” explains , why it is important, and suggests what we, as individuals, can do to help. The word biodiversity is short for ‘biological diversity’, and can be summarised as “the total variety of all living . things” A simple definition states that biodiversity includes:“. . . the variety of life forms, the ecological roles they perform, and the genetic diversity they contain”.
“our living bank balance”
> Although we may not readily appreciate it, biodiversity provides us with many of the things that sustain our lives. It is essential for our well-being that we protect biodiversity – the variations in species, their lives and their habitats – because biodiversity is necessary for our quality of life and our standard of living.
Red deer stag, Strathspey. L. Gill
Biodiversity is essential because of its economic importance > All farm crops and animals are descendants of wild organisms, and they are also a component of biodiversity. Some old crop varieties have more taste or disease resistance, and they may be better suited to future changes in the climate. Fruit crops rely on the many insects that pollinate their flowers. We also take food from the wild, like venison or salmon. Fishermen, with their nets and rods, are simply harvesting the natural biodiversity of the oceans or rivers.
Biodiversity is a hidden treasure that enriches all our lives > Few of us will ever see a giant panda, a pine marten or a whale in the wild, but most of us would like to know that we might have a chance to see them one day. And biodiversity is not just about rarities. The skylark, the primrose and the garden spider are equally important parts of Scotland’s biodiversity.
Biodiversity is essential as a provider of natural services > The natural world also provides many services, which we may not always
Biodiversity is essential as a source of natural products > Although we are able to produce more and more drugs synthetically, we still rely on plants for many of our medicines. Medicines for heart disease, for example, are still produced today from wild foxgloves. Wild plants are constantly being screened in search of cures for cancer, AIDS and other diseases. We can never tell which species might prove useful: chemicals extracted from jellyfish, for example, are now being used by medical researchers studying the development of cancers.
readily recognise. Peat bogs, for example, have an important role in purifying water and in locking up carbon dioxide, one of the gases produced from the burning of fossil fuels that are causing “global warming” The tiny plants that float in the top . few metres of the sea also absorb huge amounts of this carbon dioxide, as long as the sea remains healthy. Every living thing has a place in what we call the , “balance of nature” and upsetting that balance can have untold effects, from which, more often than not, we are the losers.
Biodiversity is an essential part of our cultural heritage > Plants and animals are part of our traditions and culture. The thistle is our national emblem, proudly emblazoned on the jerseys of rugby players. The ‘bonnie purple heather’ and the aptly-named Scots Pine are special parts of Scotland’s countryside, of which we are rightly proud. Scotland’s wild landscapes, plants and animals are also key assets for our tourist industry. People come from far afield to admire the colours and patterns of the Scottish countryside – features which are themselves produced by biodiversity – or to see rare species like red squirrels, golden eagles and ospreys, or the teeming seabird cliffs of our coasts.
Biodiversity is an essential part of sustainable development > Biodiversity is a measure of sustainable development – growth today that does not deprive the quality of life of future generations. Sustainable development is regarded as a major target for industry and the planning system, and measuring biodiversity is the only way to be sure that this target is being achieved. > “Biodiversity is part of our daily lives and livelihoods, and constitutes the resources upon which families, communities, nations and future generations depend.”
under threat
> Yet, despite its importance, biodiversity is under threat all around us. Through inappropriate forms of development and too-intensive agriculture, we are damaging our wild countryside and reducing the variety of life it can support. Pollution from industry and the unwise use of energy restricts the capacity of the soil and water to support life, and overfishing is reducing the richness of the seas and rivers.
sharing the benefits
> The word ‘biodiversity’ came from the “Earth Summit” held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, where 159 countries (including Britain) recognised the value of biodiversity to human life, and signed what was to become known as the Biodiversity Convention. This pledges the UK to conserve biodiversity, to use its components in a way that will ensure they continue to be available for future generations and share the benefits of biodiversity fairly and equitably between all nations and people. Britain has since taken the lead internationally in turning these ideas into plans for action. The Government , has commissioned a detailed programme of recommendations, known as the “UK Biodiversity Action Plan” to ensure that national policies help to protect our biodiversity assets.
Longannet power station. D. Bell
B I O D I V E R S I T Y
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S C O T L A N D
> The Scottish Biodiversity Group was set up by the Secretary of State to take forward Biodiversity in Scotland. The Group is a partnership of representatives from The Scottish Office, government agencies, local authorities, conservation groups, universities and research institutes, and fishing, farming, crofting and landowning interests. It is therefore a unique, broadly-based partnership of those who work in, depend on and care for Scotland’s countryside. > The Scottish Group is overseeing the production and implementation of action plans for plants and animals which are either predominantly or wholly found in Scotland (such as corncrakes, red squirrels and chequered skipper butterflies), and habitat action plans for Scotland’s most special wild places, including pine forests, blanket bogs and the machair of the Western Isles. The Scottish Group is also supporting the production of Local Biodiversity Action Plans, now being prepared by local authorities throughout Scotland. As the title suggests, these reflect the biodiversity of local areas and require the active involvement of local communities. The Government is seeking “champions” from industry and commerce to assist with the work that must be done. > Everyone has a role – and a responsibility to conserve biodiversity. Using energy wisely, using our cars less and public transport more, making more use of environmentallyfriendly and recycled products, eating more organic food, and recycling more of our rubbish, are all positive ways to help. Creating a wild corner in our gardens, with nectar-rich flowers to attract butterflies and plentiful seeds and fruits for the . birds, can provide a “haven of biodiversity” Even a suitablyplanted window-box can help bring life to a city street. You could also make sure your local council is producing a Local Biodiversity Action Plan, offer your own ideas to help develop this plan, and help your local community groups to involve others in this all-important task.
biodiversity and you
ISBN No. 1 85397 274 6