Biodiversity is the range of different living organisms (species) that live in a place.

A species is a group of organisms that are able to reproduce with each other to produce offspring that are also able to reproduce.

Conservation is the process of protecting biodiversity and the environment.

A gene bank is a collection of seeds, plants and animals which are stored to preserve genetic material for the future.

The importance of biodiversity

Science

Pupils will move on to construct and interpret pyramids of number and biomass from food chains data. Pupils will learn about how plants and animals are adapted to survive and the impact of changes to the environment on biodiversity. The importance of biodiversity and the importance of gene banks. How to sample plant and animal populations to aid our understanding and monitoring of populations. 

In Y4 pupils learnt about their local environment and to recognise that environments can change. Pupils also explored examples of human impact (both positive and negative) on environments. Pupils looked at a variety of food chains to identify producers, predators and prey.

This unit explores the interdependence of organisms in ecosystems, including food webs and insect-pollinated crops. It examines how organisms interact with their environment and the impact of toxic materials. It also highlights the importance of biodiversity and preserving genetic material.

Ecosystems

A store of genetic material for use in the future

A collection of organisms that are kept alive in captivity

Gene banks are a form of conservation. What are they?

Which of the following would decrease biodiversity?

A {{}} is a group of organisms that are able to reproduce with each other to produce offspring that are also able to reproduce.

Habitats with a greater number of species have greater __________.

the process of protecting species and the environment

the range of different species that live in an area

a build up in concentration of a chemical in an organism

having enough food to feed the human population

Their habitat has been destroyed for farming.

Gorillas have been hunted by humans for food.

Some have been caught and put in zoos to breed.

Mountain gorillas are one of the rarest mammals on the planet. Which of the following is **not** a reason for the reduction in the population of gorillas?

A diagram that shows what organisms are food for other organisms

A diagram that shows where an organism lives

A diagram that shows which organisms are important

A diagram that shows that food is passed from consumers to producers

Which of the following describes what a food chain diagram is?

Which of the organisms in this food chain is an apex predator?

A {{}} is the place where an organism lives. It provides food, shelter and a place to reproduce.

Which of the following is an adaptation of an organism to keep warm in an arctic habitat?

plant plankton → animal plankton → krill → whale

leaves → caterpillar → robin → hawk

Which of the following food chains is **not** correct?

It has a sharp pointed beak to drill holes in a tree

It has a beak that it uses to eat predators

How is this organism adapted to its environment?

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

The importance of biodiversity

Lesson outcome

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.