Diversity in the Asia Pacific

Geographical characteristics shape our societies

What is the geographical diversity in Asia Pacific region?

Natural and ecological characteristics is part of the
geography theme Place. Place tells us what a location is
like. Remember?
What is topography?
Topography is the shape of the land. For example, are
there high mountains, sea level plains? Are there many
lakes and rivers?

Topography in the Asia- Pacific region is represented by

the highest mountain peak in the world, Mount Everest ("the roof of the
world") and the deepest ocean floor, the Mariana Trench.

In South East Asia, two continents, two oceans and two hemispheres
meet. (Can you name them all?)

This unique mix has resulted in some of the greatest human and
physical diversity in earth.

Place is a theme of geography and place includes everything in an area.

Physical characteristics, of place includes mountains, rivers, plains, climate
zones and much more. (How many can you name?)
Geographical features shape society.
Task 1. Go to:
http://www.vidiani.com/maps/maps_of_asia/large_physical_and_relief_map_of
_asia.jpg
Ecologically, the Asia-Pacific region represents a
unique and diversified natural environment. It spreads
out from the Pacific, to the South China Sea, Indian
Ocean down to the Antarctic in the south and from
Australia to China and India. The climatic patterns,
therefore range from hot tropical to cold temperate
climate zones. It includes the highest point on earth
and the lowest!

You can use this map for task 1.

Enlarge it.

Diversity in the Asia Pacific

Geographical characteristics shape our societies

Find and screen shot the Mariana Trench

Find and screen shot the Himalayas and Mount Everest

Task 2. Go to:
http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/pd/oceans_weather_climate/media/cl
imate_zones.swf
Use the interactive map and choose three climate zones to analyze.
a) Summarize in two or three sentences. What are the main points of
your climate zone?
b) Add one or two photos of each.
c) Look at the picture and definition, describe your three climate zones
in your own words.
Human-environment interaction is a theme of geography and people
have to adapt to their environment. People in different places live
their lives differently.
d) So explain how humans would have to adapt to each of your three
different climate zones.
Geographical characteristics shape our societies.
What is biodiversity?
Biodiversity (or biological diversity) is a term meaning the amount and variety of life on Earth.
Biodiversity includes, the variety among species, and the range of ecosystems within which life
exists and interacts.
Due to the great diversity of Asia-Pacific terrestrial and marine (land and
water) ecosystems, the Asia Pacific Region contains the greatest biological
diversity on earth.
Where is biodiversity greatest?
Generally, species density is greatest in the Southern Hemisphere.

Diversity in the Asia Pacific

Geographical characteristics shape our societies

Seventy per cent of the worlds species is found in just 12 countries:

Australia, Brazil, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Democratic Republic of
Congo, Ecuador, India, Indonesia, Madagascar, Mexico and Peru. The entire
Hindu Kush Himalayan belt has an estimated 25,000 plant species,
comprising 10 per cent of the worlds flora.
Conclusions: This implies that a partnership among the Asia-Pacific
countries can be a great possible benefit for the region in the future. At the
same time, however, a great responsibility lies on us to utilize resources in a
sustainable manner.
Total number of amphibian, bird, mammal, reptile, and
plant species.
Brazil
Colombia
China
Indonesia
Mexico
South Africa
Venezuela
Ecuador
United States
India
Peru
Bolivia
Australia
Malaysia
Costa Rica
Thailand
Papua New Guinea

59,851
54,649
34,687
32,680
28,836
25,052
23,429
22,065
21,474
21,020
20,081
19,561
17,974
17,171
13,630
13,340
13,115

10 Marine Areas We Must Protect

The top 10 places with the greatest extent of priority areas within
their waters.
1.
Australia: Home to the worlds largest barrier reef, Australias oceans
support billions of dollars in tourism and fisheries.

Diversity in the Asia Pacific

Geographical characteristics shape our societies

2.
Indonesia: Although its colorful reefs are among the most diverse on
Earth, many of Indonesias marine ecosystems are also among the most
threatened due to dynamite fishing, mangrove destruction and high rates of
shark fishing.
5.
Japan: This island nations waters are home to many tropical coral
reef species as well as species that thrive in colder waters, all of which are
threatened by impacts from fishing, pollution from shipping traffic and
climate change.
6.
The Philippines: With some of the highest concentrations of marine
species and relatively rare species in the world, nearly all of the
Philippines marine areas are highly impacted by human activities, including
overfishing, destructive practices like dynamite fishing and pollution from
shipping traffic.
9.
Vietnam: Vietnam has very high numbers of marine species,
including more than 300 species of reef-building corals, many of which are
threatened by marine pollution from shipping and fishing pressures.
10. Papua New Guinea: This country has some of the highest levels of
marine biodiversity in the world including pygmy seahorses, reef sharks
and tropical fishes but is considerably less impacted than other areas in
the region.
- See more at: http://blog.conservation.org/2014/01/10-marine-areas-we-must-protect/#sthash.KKFikb5O.dpuf

Geographical characteristics shape our societies.

Task 3 Analyzing data:

How many of the worlds top terrestrial (land) ecosystems are in the Asia
Pacific Region?
How many of the worlds top marine (water) ecosystems are in the Asia
Pacific Region?
Which country/s are on both lists?

Drawing conclusions:

Diversity in the Asia Pacific

Geographical characteristics shape our societies

Who cares? Why does
this matter?
Indonesia is on both lists
and might have the
greatest combination of
marine and terrestrial
diversity on earth. How
do you think this shapes
the way Indonesians
live? Include traditional
and modern culture.

How does biodiversity

shape our society here in Indonesia? See how many you can find examples for each!
Food:
Celebrations and traditions:
History:
Music:
Transportation:
Sports/games:
Recreation:
Travel/tourism:
Clothing:
Others: