Years 9, 10 & 11 Inspire

Biodiversity and Conservation for Year 11, Day 2

Posted by St John's College Access on

Conservation of endangered species

In this session you will consider biodiversity, and the impact of human activities on endangered species. Both direct actions (such as poaching and the illegal animal trade) and indirect actions (such as human actions which lead to climate change, or tourism and building works which remove habitat) of humans can impact on animals all over the world.

For these tasks, you will need access to the internet, a pen or pencil, and blank sheets of paper to work on.

Biodiversity

First, watch this short clip explaining what biodiversity is. Then write a 2-3 sentence definition of biodiversity in your own words.

Researching an endangered species

Select one of the following endangered species to investigate: tigers, elephants, polar bears or rhinos. Vote in the poll below to indicate the animal you will be researching, and see what other people have chosen!

Resources for each species are provided below. Begin by reading the information summary (Resource 1) about your chosen species. Each webpage also includes further information links you can follow to find out more, within the WWF website. Then look at the fact-files for your species (Resource 2).

You should make detailed notes (approximately one A4 page total) on the following topics:

  • Animal facts about your chosen species
  • Why is your chosen species important?
  • What challenges is your chosen species facing?
  • How WWF and conservation teams are helping your chosen species

African Elephants

Elephants: resource 1
Elephants: resource 2

African Rhinos

Rhinos: resource 1
Rhinos: resource 2

Polar bears

Polar bears: resource 1
Polar bears: resource 2

Tigers

Tigers: resource 1
Tigers: resource 2

Once you have read through this information, use your notes to help you test your knowledge! Play the quiz for your species.

Researching a threat to endangered species

Complete the three sets of short activities below, each of which examines a threat to endangered species in more detail. Consider each threat in relation to the animal you have already researched in detail and add extra details to your notes when you find new information.

The illegal animal trade

Illegal poaching is a huge threat to elephants and rhinos. Find out more about the illegal wildlife trade, and how WWF are preventing it here.

One of the best ways to prevent the illegal animal trade is to educate consumers. Read this short summary of how buyers should question their purchases. What are some examples of products that you should never buy, and some examples of products that you should be very careful about buying?

Climate change

Climate change impacts on all of the species highlighted above, particularly polar bears. Read about the effects of climate change on wildlife here. Then, discover your personal carbon foot print by taking the quiz here.

Deforestation

Deforestation leads to loss of habitat for the tiger. Read about the effects of climate change on wildlife here. Then, discover how to reduce your personal impact on the world’s forests here.

Create a pamphlet

Once you have completed your short activities, create a pamphlet to help spread awareness about your chosen species and the threats it faces today. Include detailed information about the threats you have just investigated which impact on your chosen species.

  • Your pamphlet should be A4, and double sided. You can complete this on a computer or manually using paper and pencils.
  • Remember, a pamphlet should be both eye-catching and informative!

Share your pamphlet with other people in your household to share what you have learnt with them.

A message of hope

Finally, there are many positive changes that are happening to better protect animals today and in the future. Read this article to discover 10 reasons to feel positive about wildlife conservation in 2020!