The project is designed to teach concepts of biological and cultural diversity, and to study the impacts of human development on the local diversity. As our school is located in a desert region, we relate mainly to biological and cultural diversity in des
ert ecosystems and to the connection between combating desertification and conserving global biodiversity.
Goals: 1. To learn basic related topics - such as global diversity, loss of biodiversity, international agendas and conservation of biological and cultural diversity.
2. To conduct independent studies on the local biological and cultural diversity and on various connections between human development and changes in the local diversity.
3. To present the results of the students' independent studies in a public poster session - open to the school, parents and village community.
Part one:
Topics for lessons in the classroom
Global patterns: * What is biological diversity (genetic, species and ecosystems diversities)? What is cultural diversity?
* Global diversity - global patterns of climate and vegetation (biomes). Global 'hotspots' for biodiversity.
* Methods for measuring biodiversity.
* Loss of biological and cultural diversity - is it a problem? Why should we worry about the loss of global diversity? Reasons for biodiversity loss.
* Conservation of diversity - on the local scales (nature reserves, national parks), and on the global scale (international agendas for the conservation of biodiversity).
Local habitat: * Characteristics of desert ecosystems. Adaptations of plants, animals and human societies to desert habitats.
* Types of habitats in desert landscapes.
* Desertification processes - the connection between human development and loss of biodiversity in desert landscapes.
Part two:
Examples of topics for independent students' studies
Descriptions of biodiversity in the local natural habitats: * Desert mountain range - plants, animals, interactions between abiotic and biotic elements.
* Permanent water springs (oasis) - the plants, animals, interactions...Species that depend on a permanent water to survive in the desert environment.
* Temporary water pools - species that appear in the winter, and disappear in summer.
* Migratory birds - species, numbers, routs and behavior of migratory birds in the area.
Biodiversity that is associated with human made environments: * Species of plants and animals in the village gardens.
* Species that appear in ancient cisterns and ancient agricultural terraces.
Combating desertification - conserving and enriching local biodiversity in deserts: * Enrichment of local species diversity by harvesting runoff water and constructing soil terraces.
* Gardening with local plant species.
* Planning the local village park as a station for attracting and surveying migratory birds.
* Composting organic waste to enrich nutrient poor soils.
Conserving cultural diversity - learning from local cultures: * Surveying various perspectives on life in desert environments - why do people choose to live in this extreme environment?
* Architecture in deserts - in ancient societies.
* Architecture in modern desert societies - nomadic vs. permanent settlements.
* Use of solar energy in deserts - costs and benefits.
General Comments: Target Population:
10th Grade – 15-16 year olds
The lessons take place as a part of the Environmental Studies and Geography program of the school
Time Schedule:
Studies will begin in November and December
The students will work on their independent studies during January
Public Poster Session will take place in the first week of February at the school. This week is the National Week of Nature Conservation in Israel.
Introduction