Topic File A: Biodiversity ─ the variety of life

Nobody knows exactly how many different kinds of animals, plants and microorganisms there are on earth. Every day, new animal and plant species are discovered. Unfortunately, every day some species also become extinct. In this Topic File, pupils will find out more about the variety of life on our planet, how it has changed over millions of years and still keeps changing.

Pupils ...

  • carry out Internet research into various areas of biodiversity
  • learn in what ways biodiversity is important
  • learn what can be done to preserve biodiversity

They also ...

  • listen to and read some interviews
  • investigate the layout and structure of new articles
  • learn how to produce an article or an information poster

They practise and consolidate ...

  • the past simple and continuous for conveying historical facts and events
  • the future with "going to" referring to events based on evidence
  • the future with "going to" to talk about intentions

A sixth extinction?

Step 3

audio  * A cyber-interview

audio  ** A cyber-interview

Step 5

audio  * A cyber-interview (extract 1)

audio  ** A cyber-interview (extract 1)

Step 6

audio  * A cyber-interview (extract 2)

audio  ** A cyber-interview (extract 2)

A diverse world

Step 4

Go to the topic that you have chosen and read the text. Then make notes on the details of the topic. Use the "Important details and questions" listed with each of the topics.


Topic A

PDF  How did biodiversity evolve?

Important details and questions:

  • Statistics about species that were described up to 2008.
  • Other species described.
  • How often are new species discovered?
  • How many species were discovered in 2006?
  • How did biodiversity evolve?
  • How can one tell that a new species has evolved?
  • Examples from the early history of the earth.
  • When are new species formed?
  • How long did it take a large number of species to evolve to their present form?


Topic B

PDF  Why is biodiversity important?

Important details and questions:

In what ways do we benefit daily from biodiversity?

  • Food
  • Clothes
  • Housing
  • Pleasure
  • Ecosystems
  • Costs


Topic C

PDF  Why is biodiversity threatened?

Important details and questions:

  • How many species are dying out?
  • What are the causes of the loss of species?

─  Destruction of habitats

─  Pollution and climate change

─  Hunting, poaching and fishing

Alien invasion

Step 3

PDF  Parrot invasion *

PDF  Parrot invasion **


Step 5

* Public opinion: Readers' comments on parakeet sightings

  • I saw a group of about 10 sitting on top of a bus stop. They were cleaning themselves in the rainwater. It was great. There were people watching them and enjoying them being there while waiting for their bus. (Maurine Crowley, West London)
  • It's nothing new in the south of England. I can remember seeing parakeets in the park when I was a boy. They sat in the trees and watched us play football. They are cool. (John, North London)
  • Well, I think the parakeets are great! I hate the pigeons we get in London. The parakeets are pretty and make your day colourful. (Daniella Finton, Watford).
  • Our neighbourhood has a growing population of parakeets. It's not nice when they use your garden as a toilet. They may be pretty, but hundreds of them can make a mess of your garden. I think something should be done to stop them. (Pete, North London)
  • I was surprised when I first saw the parakeets in a tree on the High St. I'd finished my shopping and nearly dropped everything. Some parakeets flew out of the branches of the trees making loud noises. They make life colourful in London. (Mary, Hampstead)
  • There are trees in our park with no leaves because of the parakeets. They should be taken under control. There are too many of them and their population is getting bigger. (John, London)
  • It may be colourful and romantic having parakeets in London, we may need to control the population if they destroy other plant and animal life in the UK. (David Hunter, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, RSPB, London)


** Public opinion: Readers' comments on parakeet sightings

  • I saw a group of about 10 sitting on top of a bus stop at Heathrow airport. It looked like they were cleaning themselves in a puddle of rainwater on the roof of the bus stop. It was great. There was a crowd of people watching them and enjoying them being there while waiting for their bus. (Maurine Crowley, West London)
  • It's nothing new in the south of England. I can remember seeing parakeets in the park when I was a boy in Hampstead. They used to sit in the trees and watch us play football. They are cool. (John, North London)
  • Well, I think the parakeets are great! I hate the ugly pigeons we get everywhere in London. The parakeets are pretty at least and make your day colourful. (Daniella Finton, Watford)
  • Our neighbourhood has a growing population of parakeets along the stream in the park. It's not a nice thing to have them use your garden as a toilet. They may be pretty, but if there are hundreds of them together, they can make a terrible mess of your garden. I think something should be done to stop them. (Pete, North London)
  • I couldn't believe it when I first saw the paakeets in a tree at the end of the High St. I'd just finished my shopping and nearly dropped everything when two or three of them flew out of the branches of the trees squawking as loud as they could. They certainly make life colourful in London. (Mary, Hampstead)
  • There are a number of trees in our park which have had their leaves completely stripped by these pests. It's about time they were taken under contraol. There are too many of them and their population is only increasing. (John, London)
  • Whatever we think about colour and romance of having the parakeets in London, we may need to take strict measures to control the growth of this population if they become too destructive to other plant and animal life in the UK. (David Hunter, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, RSPB, London)


Step 6

audio  Interview with David from North London


Step 7

audio  Interview with familiy talking about "Birdwatch UK"


Step 9

PPT  Slideshow template

Keeping the world diverse

Step 2

Preserving biodiversity

Preserving biodiversity is both a global and a local challenge. It takes the efforts of international organisations as well as state and local authorities to find solutions. But everyone of us can also contribute to either loss or preservation of species.

Preserving biodiversity also means preserving habitats. There are many ways to achieve this. Find out more. Choose either What organisations and authorities can do or What everybody can do and do the tasks.


What organisations and authorities can do

* In pairs, work on one of the topics below each.

** Individually, work on one of the topics below each.

Read the information and adapt or add to the list that you made in Step 1.

Topic 1: Red lists and laws

  • Governments and organisations can draw up red lists of endangered species and habitats that deserve to be protected.
  • Governments make laws on the protection of nature. They forbid, for example, the killing of endangered animals or the uprooting of endangered plants. They also make sure that these laws are enforced, for example by making people pay a fine.

Topic 2: Nature reserves and payments

  • Nature reserves and national parks can be created. In these parks and reserves, threatened plants and animals can live without too much disturbance from humans. Wilderness areas can also be created on farms, in parks and along roadsides.
  • Governments make payments for farmers who manage their land in an environmentally sustainable way.


What everbody can do

* In pairs, work on one of the topics below each.

** Individually, work on one of the topics below each.

Read the information and adapt or add to the list that you made in Step 1.

Topic 1: Saving and recycling

  • Save energy by turning off lights, radios, computers and TVs when not using them. Also switch off the standby function.
  • Save water by turning off the tap while brushing your teeth. Also turn off the shower while you're washing your hair or soaping yourself down.
  • Install water-saving devices on toilets, taps and showerheads.
  • Recycle aluminium, glass, plastic, paper, batteries, clothes, etc. plants.

Of course, not everyone can do everthing. But if everyone does something, it will add up. After all, there are around 7 billion of us on the planet ...

Topic 2: Transport and shopping

  • Use public transport, walk or ride a bicycle rather than using a moped or a car.
  • Share your car with others instead of travelling separately to the same place.
  • Save trees by buying recycled paper, toilet paper, etc.
  • Buy products and food without packaging whenever possible.
  • Take your own bag to the shops.
  • Buy organic food and clothes produced in an environmentally friendly way.

Of course, not everyone can do everthing. But if everyone does something, it will add up. After all, there are around 7 billion of us on the planet ...

Reporting on biodiversity

Step 2

PDF  T-Rex hits Cardiff *

PDF  T-Rex hits Cardiff **


Step 4

PDF  Dinosaur egg recreated *

PDF  Dinosaur egg recreated **

Bio-Pen Awards

Step 3 **

RTF  Tabloid article template

PDF  Bio-Pen Award Certificate

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