How does changing an ecosystem affect what lives there? This unit on ecosystem dynamics and biodiversity begins with students reading headlines that claim that the future of orangutans is in peril and that the purchasing of chocolate may be the cause. Students then examine the ingredients in popular chocolate candies and learn that one of these ingredients--palm oil--is grown on farms near the rainforest where orangutans live. This prompts students to develop initial models to explain how buying candy could impact orangutans.

OpenSciEd content is highly rated in EdReports and is aligned to NGSS standards.

In this interactive activity from the American Museum of Natural History, play "connect the dots" and discover the connections between the people, animals, and plants in three habitats of the Dzanga-Sangha rain forest in the Central African Republic.

Finches on the Galapagos Islands have evolved to exploit almost every possible niche. This diagram shows the range of food sources available on the island and the different beak shapes adapted to exploit each of them.

Students toss coins to determine what traits a set of mouse parents possess, such as fur color, body size, heat tolerance, and running speed. Then they use coin tossing to determine the traits a mouse pup born to these parents possesses. Then they compare these physical features to features that would be most adaptive in several different environmental conditions. Finally, students consider what would happen to the mouse offspring if those environmental conditions were to change: which mice would be most likely to survive and produce the next generation?

Students will state an argument with evidence, for or against, bats being removed from their environment by writing a letter to the editor and citing evidence for your claim.

This pathway explores how structural and molecular evidence can be used to determine relationships between plant species.

Explore the patterns and processes of evolution. Learn how evolution and natural selection are reflected in the similarities and differences of organisms. [9:03]

Khan Academy learning modules include a Community space where users can ask questions and seek help from community members. Educators should consult with their Technology administrators to determine the use of Khan Academy learning modules in their classroom. Please review materials from external sites before sharing with students.

Biology 2e is designed to cover the scope and sequence requirements of a typical two-semester biology course for science majors. The text provides comprehensive coverage of foundational research and core biology concepts through an evolutionary lens. Biology includes rich features that engage students in scientific inquiry, highlight careers in the biological sciences, and offer everyday applications. The book also includes various types of practice and homework questions that help students understand—and apply—key concepts. The 2nd edition has been revised to incorporate clearer, more current, and more dynamic explanations, while maintaining the same organization as the first edition. Art and illustrations have been substantially improved, and the textbook features additional assessments and related resources.

By the end of this section, you will be able to do the following:

Explain how angiosperm diversity is due, in part, to multiple complex interactions with animals
Describe ways in which pollination occurs
Discuss the roles that plants play in ecosystems and how deforestation threatens plant biodiversity

By the end of this section, you will be able to do the following:

Identify new technologies and methods for describing biodiversity
Explain the legislative framework for conservation
Describe principles and challenges of conservation preserve design
Identify examples of the effects of habitat restoration
Discuss the role of zoos in biodiversity conservation

By the end of this section, you will be able to do the following:

Define biodiversity in terms of species diversity and abundance
Describe biodiversity as the equilibrium of naturally fluctuating rates of extinction and speciation
Identify historical causes of high extinction rates in Earth’s history

By the end of this section, you will be able to do the following:

Identify chemical diversity benefits to humans
Identify biodiversity components that support human agriculture
Describe ecosystem services

By the end of this section, you will be able to do the following:

Identify significant threats to biodiversity
Explain the effects of habitat loss, the introduction of exotic species, and hunting on biodiversity
Identify the early and predicted effects of climate change on biodiversity

By the end of this section, you will be able to do the following:

Discuss the predator-prey cycle
Give examples of defenses against predation and herbivory
Describe the competitive exclusion principle
Give examples of symbiotic relationships between species
Describe community structure and succession