4.1.

2
Biodiversity
Scientific Measurements of Environmental Healthy
Importance of Healthy Natural Environments for
Individuals & Society
 Biodiversity is the variety of all
life forms on earth - the
different plants, animals and
micro-organisms and the
ecosystems of which they are a
part.
 Refers to the variety of life and its
interrelationships within natural
environments
Contributes to the sustainability and
resilience of eco-systems.
Is essential for the survival of all living
entities.
This also includes weeds, pest and other
introduced species.
 There are 3 levels of
biodiversity:
1. Genetic Diversity,

2. Species Diversity, &

3. Ecosystem Diversity.
 Is the total genetic information contained in the
genes of all species.
It also refers to the variation in genetic
information between species as well as the
variations between individuals of the same
species.
The different colouring found in one species of
kangaroos is an example of genetic diversity.
Another example the diversity of the Eucalypts.
 Is the variety of species.
It refers to both the number of species and
the number of individuals within each
species.
For example, the different types of trees,
shrubs, birds and insects and the number of
each species you can find in your backyard.
 Is the variety of habitats, natural communities
and ecological processes in the biosphere (The
part of the earth and its atmosphere in which
living organisms exist or that is capable of
supporting life).
Examples in Victoria include: Coastal, Alpine.
Agriculture, Urban, Woodlands ecosystems.
Mt pygmy
Possum has
had a dramatic
decline in
population size
and genetic
diversity over
the last 15 years

WHY?
 Because of the variety of ecosystems and the diverse
and unique species within these ecosystems,
Australia is considered to have high levels of
biodiversity.
Australia has about 450,000 species, representing
around 10% of the species estimated to inhabit the
Earth.
Australia has over twice the number of species of
Europe, Canada and the United States combined.
Approx. 80% of Australias species are endemic
only found in Australia.
Examples
Include?
 What does a healthy environment look like?
Possible Indicators include:
Water, Air, Soil:
Pollution,
ph. Levels,
Flow Patterns,
Nutrient Levels,
Visibility.
Natural Vegetation Coverage
Native Animal Population
Human Impact on Environment
 Humans rely on water for basic human needs,
such as drinking and production of food.
Testing water quality and adequacy (how
much there is) can indicate how healthy our
water environments are.
Testing of water is done for taste, odour and
turbidity, temperature and pH levels.
 No equipment is necessary as we use our
senses to determine the quality of water.
Undesirable taste may be caused by any organic
compound. Can be caused naturally or due to
sewage or other contaminants
The smell of water. The rotten egg/sewage smell of
still water due to rise in hydrogen sulphide levels.
The appearance of water. How murky or cloudy it
looks as a result of particles of clay, sand, silt, algae
etc.
 Caused by less shade from removal of plants
and trees, particles in the water that absorb
heat, run off industries and power plants
Temperature effects photosynthesis rate
Warmer water holds less oxygen
 Measures the acidity or alkaline levels in water.
Pure water has a pH of 7.0 (measured on a
scale of 1 (acid) to 14 (alkaline))
pH is affected by soils and rock, chemicals
released from industry and carbon dioxide
dissolved in water.
pH levels above 9.2 or below 4.8 can be
harmful to aquatic life.
 Nitrogen in water Important for plant growth
Phosphorus in water Important nutrient for
plant growth
Dissolved oxygen high levels indicate healthy
rivers/streams, low levels indicates pollution
or decomposing vegetation.
Air is essential for all life.
It contains about 78% nitrogen (required for plant
growth), 21% O2, and smaller amounts of gasses
such as hydrogen and carbon dioxide

Air protects life on earth by absorbing harmful

ultraviolet solar radiation and prevents
temperature extremes
Air is usually polluted mainly by humans.
Through industry, travel fumes and domestic
wood fires. However, events such as volcanic
eruptions can also harm the earths atmosphere.
The pollution of air is effecting long term issues
such as global warming but also harms those with
asthma and bronchitis and increases the risk of
other contracting similar respiratory problems
Air is polluted mainly by humans industry, travel
fumes and domestic wood fires however events
such as volcanic eruptions can also harm the earths
atmosphere
We can measure air quality with many pieces of
scientific equipment but there are other ways to
make an assessment
Ways of assessing:
Smog

Smell
Ways of assessing:
Smog is something we can see. It is a build up of
industry and car fumes mixed with open fires
under certain climate conditions.
It is harmful to humans and to the health of
outdoor environments
Ways of assessing:
Smell is how we can assess weather invisible
substances such as sulfur dioxide are in the
atmosphere.
Sulfur oxide occurs from industry that burns fossil
fuels and is that nasty sharp smell that car fumes
make.
What does
healthy soil
look like?
Soil can seem like a bit of a meaningless hassle at
times. Dirt, dust and mud just seems normal in an
outdoor environment but it is an essential part of
healthy outdoor environments
Soil is where we get our crops from:
Milk

Eggs

Meet

Wool

Fruit and Vegetables

Crops (wheat, oats, rice)

Without it these things would not exist

Soil is created over a long period of time by rocks
being broken down by wind, ice and water but it
can be eroded away in minutes by practices such
as deforestation
Soil is about 50% air and water (49% O2), and 50%
organic matter and minerals
In an effort to provide for an ever growing
population we are placing huge demands on our
soils.
Overgrazing

Salinity

Erosion

are our biggest concerns

It is possible to measure the health of soil by
testing its:
Moisture

Texture

Colour

Salt content
As well as its:
pH

Temperature

Organic content

Structure
Read the soil test on pages 247 and 248 and
summarize in your own words
 Pest an animal or plant that interferes with
human land use.
Farmers are in constant battle with weeds and
animals that interfere with crops and livestock eg.
Rabbits, fox, feral cats.
Introduced species species of animals or
plants that are not native to an area.
Species such as Cane Toad, Deer, Horses that have
been brought into the environment for hunting or to
eradicate another species.
Eg. The Cane Toad was introduced to control the
native grey-backed cane beetle.
 This dates back to the early settlers.
Now today.. What are some our threats?

Some of these invasive species include:

Disease, Fungi and Parasites
Feral Animals
Insects and other Invertebrates
Introduced Marine Pests
Weeds
BIOSECURITY!!
 May be either native or introduced species from
overseas.
Defining a weed a plant that grows where it is
not wanted.
Can be spread through the transfer of spores or
seeds via
Hooves of farm animals
Wind
Waterways
Tyres and mud on cars
Soil or camping equipment
Weeds become a problem when they take nutrients
and water from other plant species that are
endemic to an area, or have been planted there
deliberately eg. Crops.
 Native animals have been forced to compete
for food and shelter and become extinct due to
introduced species.
The introduction of animals for example, has
caused widespread erosion.
Hard hooved animals compact fragile soil,
degrading the nutrients and quality of the soil.
 The existence of pests or introduced species can
be used to indicate the health of an outdoor
environment.
By identifying the pest or introduced species
and its prevalence within an area, we can
determine how healthy it is.
 Natural environments are important to society
because they provide:
Resources for Human Survival and Comfort,
Places for Scientific Research,
Biodiversity, &
Intrinsic Values.
 Why do humans need natural
environments?

Most of the value of natural environments is

associated with humans individually and as a
society might gain from them values,
consumer needs, ecological importance.
 Healthy natural environments are important
for individuals because they provide:
Places for recreation and adventure,
Inspiration, &
Education.
 They can remove themselves from the
pressures of everyday life.
Can undertake positive risk-taking behaviours
which therefore allow them to find out more
about themselves, to extend themselves and to
have a part of their life not controlled human-
built modifications.
Activities include: camping, bushwalking,
canoeing, skiing, fishing and the list goes on.
 Natural environments provide the best
medium for education.
This may be formal excursions, trips / camps,
field trips, etc.
Education within and about natural
environments is important for the future of
human society because people value places
they know about and have visited.