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Biodiversity Activity
9
Effects of Human Activity on Biodiversity
Assessing a Local Issue
Review
Consider what you have learned so far and think about the following:
1) What is biodiversity?
2) What benefits do human societies derive from biodiversity?
3) What problems can occur when biodiversity is diminished?
The Situation
Situation
Imagine you are living in the small town of Harmison. This town is small, but a lot of new infrastructure has been built in the last few years. You have heard that a local forest is going to be cut down next to build another subdivision (houses) and a grocery store. Cutting down the trees is expected to start in about a month and while some citizens think this is great, others feel that there are better solutions that could be implemented instead.
Why is this happening?
The mayor of Harmison has agreed to go ahead with this as he wants to grow his town. Many people have moved to Harmison since the new infrastructure has been built but this is the first time that a local landmark has to be torn down for housing. The mayor is so excited to get this project started so that more people can move to the developing little town.
Your Job
Roles
You are going to decide if it is a good idea for the forest to be cut down for a new subdivision and a grocery store. The following slides have different roles in which that person would have a different perspective on the situation. In groups of six, you will be choosing one of those roles, thinking about the pros and cons of cutting the forest down from that person's perspective, and developing a conclusion/presentation about if the forest should be cut down or not.
Roles
Description of Roles
Role #1 - Business Owner
You own grocery stores in other towns but live close to Harmison. This could be an opportunity to own another one. Do you want the forest to be cut down?
Role #2 - Community Member Concerned About the Environment
Although you are not directly involved in the issue, you live in Harmison and feel strongly about the environment and biodiversity. You understand the negative impacts of cutting down an entire forest. Do you want the forest to be cut down?
Role #3 - Construction Worker
You work in construction and haven't had the opportunity to work for a while. You hear that there might be some work building a subdivision and a grocery store. Do you want the forest to be cut down?
Role #4 - Home Buyer
You have just saved up enough money to put a down payment on a house. Where you live, the houses are too expensive but you heard that the town of Harmison might be building a subdivision where the houses are cheaper. Do you want the forest to be cut down?
Role #5 - Leader of the Green Party
You are the leader of the Green Party that supports stopping climate change, sustaining the environment, and using renewable resources. You feel very strongly about these aspects. Do you want the forest to be cut down?
Role #6 - Animal Rights Activist
You are an animal rights activist who understands that forests are a natural habitat for animals. You believe in justice for all animals and feel that building more structures is taking away their home. Do you want the forest to be cut down?
Instructions
1) Form a group of six
2) Each group member chooses a role
3) Within your groups, three of you will be for cutting the trees down and three of you will be against cutting the trees down
4) Now that each team has two smaller groups, each small group of three will work together to convince the other half of their group that the trees should or should not be cut down
5) The presentations must include reasons for (or against) cutting the trees down for new structures and why
6) Groups can present their information using any of the formats from the choice board (next slide)
7) Each team of six will present to the class after the work period and the rest of the class will choose which half of the team won; the for team or the against team?
Instructions/Choice Board
How will you present?
Presentations
Presentation
Now that each group has had time to converse and put together their choice of presentation, it is time to present to the rest of the class. The group of six will present twice (once for the for team and once for the against team) using their presentation method of choice and the class will decide who wins. This will occur for all groups of six.
Reflection
Reflection
1) How did taking on the role of somebody else allow you to see this issue from another perspective?
2) Forget the roles you played and think...
Would you want the trees to be cut down for a subdivision and a grocery store? Yes or no? Why or why not?
10 minutes to discuss with a partner and share