This document provides information about biodiversity and ecosystem loss from global, international, local, and personal perspectives. It defines biodiversity as the variety of life on Earth and lists questions for research projects on threats to plant species, maintaining resources, and judging the loss of plant and animal species. Additionally, it suggests ways to maintain habitats and reduce ecosystem loss at the family and personal levels. Finally, it includes several websites with further information on biodiversity, threats to the natural world, and educational resources.

1. BIODIVERSITY AND
ECOSYSTEM LOSS
GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES
CAMBRIDGE IGCSE P3

2. BIODIVERSITY DEFINITION
• the word biodiversity is short for ‘biological diversity’ and simply
means the variety of life on earth
http://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/biodiversity/

3. QUESTIONS FOR YOUR
RESEARCH PROJECT

4. GLOBAL/INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVES
• Why are plant species threatened?
• How can existing material/mineral resources be maintained?
• How would we judge whether the loss of a number of plant or animal
species constituted a disaster?
• Are humans themselves becoming more, or less, diverse?

5. LOCAL/NATIONAL PERSPECTIVES
• How can habitats (plant and animal) be maintained?
• What projects/initiatives are there in my country for maintaining
resources and/or finding alternative sources?

6. FAMILY/PERSONAL PERSPECTIVES
• How do I and my family and friends use existing material/mineral
resources?
• Do I do anything to threaten plant species?
• What steps can I/we take to reduce ecosystem loss?

7. WEBSITES 1
http://globalissuesnetwork.org/learn-about-our-global-
issues/biodiversity-and-ecosystem-loss/
www.whyorganic.org - Soil Association in UK website.
www.foe.co.uk - Friends of the Earth website. UK-based charity website
that campaigns for solutions to environmental problems.
www.plantcultures.org.uk - Website demonstrating the importance of
South Asian plants. Downloadable resources aimed at UK schools but
could have some relevance in other contexts.

8. WEBSITES 2
www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/safeguarding_the_natural_world/index.cfm -
World Wildlife Fund website. Identifies threats to the natural world and
campaigns against damage to the natural world. Schools section offers
resources and ideas.
www.nhm.ac.uk/nature-online/biodiversity/ - UK Natural History Museum
biodiversity site. Information about what biodiversity is and how to measure
it. Some UK-focused information but also general information for students in
an international setting.
www.trees.co.za/ - Food and trees in Africa.
www.nationalgeographic.com/wildworld/educators.html - Resources for
teachers.
www.biodiversity911.org/EducationalResources/EducationalResources.html
WWF educational resource centre.