THINKERS
This year we are learning about BIODIVERSITY and it feels like we’ve been preparing for this topic for the past 10 years; because it is all connected
Biodiversity is the life you will find in one area, from bacteria, fungi, plants, animals, habitats, and genetic differences that act together, creating ecosystems that support life and balance on Earth.
TOGETHER
Earth’s natural balance is made up of plants, animals, land, water, the atmosphere and humans!
We are all part of the planet’s ecosystems.
How many living things can you find here in The Jungle?
Some you can see. Some are hiding,
Some are too little to be seen
From the oceans to tropical forests, from savannas to the taiga, etc.
They are separated by differences in climate in different zones of the planet. This means that every region has its own ecosystem.
Plants and animals in hot deserts must adapt to deal with high temperatures and very little water. Biodiversity is limited because of the extreme conditions of the desert.
The tropical rainforest has the greatest biodiversity of all land biomes. Around half of the planet’s animal and plant species exist in the world’s rainforests.
Biodiversity needs ecological systems (EcoSystems) complementing each other, for example, food chains.
Soil feeds plants, plants are eaten by animals, and animals are raised and used by humans for different purposes. If we miss one link of this connection, the chain would be damaged. Or if we modify one of these links, the entire chain would be different.
We count with enough Biodiversity to support a number of chains, all of which can support humans. Let’s name a few of the benefits we get from Biodiversity
THREATS TO BIODIVERSITY
Extinction
Extinction is the most important threat to Biodiversity. If a specie disappears we would be braking a food chain a process in nature, all of the ecosystems connected to this chain must adapt or risk dying too.
Invasion by foreign species
Introducing non-native species (for example, stocking a pond with fish from different parts of the world) means that an ecosystem must adapt with a threat to its natural harmony.
Pollution
Pollution contaminates natural ecosystems and also represents a threat.
Other threats to Biodiversity include, Hunting, Climate Change, Habitat Loss and Degradation, Overexploitation, Epidemics, Infectious Disease, Flu, Tourism.
To stop the deterioration of the natural systems that sustain us and all other species on the planet, we need a real change. This means every one of every age must take action!
What you can do
SPEAK OUT
Talk with your friends, family, and teachers about the importance of preserving nature. Bring their attention to Biodiversity and share what you've learned about why it's so important.
START A CAMPAIGN
In your school or community to help the planet by planting trees or preserving energy.
SAVE ENERGY
Turn off nonessential lights and appliances. Use your bike or walk when you can, rather than a car. Talk to your family and school about changing to renewable energy and energy-efficient devices.
NO FOOD WASTE
How we grow and produce our food has a massive impact on the planet. Reduce the quantity of food and water you waste. Also, remember to eat a well-balanced diet and follow the advised nutritional guidelines.
SMART SHOPPING
When buying wood or paper goods, look for a logo showing the product is approved by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) as being made sustainably from responsibly regulated forests. When getting seafood, look for a similar label from the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) to make sure it was fished for sustainably and produced responsibly.
PLANTING
Grow plants that attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. You can also create backyard wildlife habitats, such as rotten logs for beetles or bug hotels.
LESS PLASTIC
Particularly single-use items like straws—and don't forget to reuse and recycle as much as you can. Get things that last for a long time and can be fixed or recycled. Items such as bicycles and clothes can be repaired.
DESIGN LIKE NATURE
Choose to create processes, materials, artifacts imitating nature, with a positive impact, no waste, circular.
ENDANGER SPECIES
Never buy, promote or collect souvenirs or participate in activities that affect wild animals.
OCEAN CARE
Remember this is home for many animals and species. Protect the corals, don't pollute the water and leave nature as pristine as it should be.
SMALL ISLANDS
Be a responsible tourist, especially when visiting fragile environments like islands. It's more difficult for small states to maintain their natural biodiversity
DRAW AND PARTICIPATE
How do you imagine your future Biodiverse world? Send a message to promote and protect Biodiversity.
Games and Activities
Players strive to create a balanced desert ecosystem in which each animal has enough food to survive over a period of 12 days, in this interactive game from PLUM LANDING™. Players see how the different species of plants and animals in a desert depend on one another. They also experiment with how changing the amount of one resource affects the whole ecosystem.
Biodiversity Bingo.
You don’t have to go to some faraway world to explore; you can do that right here at home. Join Zuzu, Annie and their friends in a game of “biodiversity bingo” to see what strange and interesting things might be lurking in YOUR backyard.
Download BINGO Card
Infokits and resources
Contest through the years
THINKERS
The best way to motivate and encourage this group is with a lot of questions that don’t need perfect answers. It is wonderful to encourage them to reflect. Did you know that scientists are learning from dolphins about how to send better signals underwater? Did you know that the there is more than 5000 types of ladybugs?
1st PLACE – “Title artwork”
Participants
Winners 2019
We have witnessed the growth of participating children, both in age and maturity, by examining how these themes are created and reflected in the unbound inspiration found in their works of art. Their creativeness in focusing on the importance of cleaning our world has not only taught them how to care and love the environment but has also allowed all of us to learn so much from their young imaginative minds.
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