Bio is a Greek prefix meaning life, logy is a Greek suffix meaning study, and diversity refers to difference or variety. Therefore, biological diversity means the study of all the innumerable varieties of life on Earth and the distinctions that define them. Those distinctions form the core of organism classification.

The study of diversity is enormously complicated and beyond the scope of this website, but what is intended here is some starting point for helping students consider what might vary in a setting, like a pond, and what might contribute to such variation or lack thereof. For example, ponds often are characterized by many different niches and thus provide a place for ready study of a variety of distinct species of plant and animal. Yet, ponds are often sensitive to pollution and other factors that can diminish biodiversity and abundance.

Classification is the system whereby the differences and similarities among life forms are catalogued through observation, testing, and notation, so that identification can be made. Students will identify plant and animal attributes that are adaptations to specific conditions and needs, which make the species successful.

Adaptation is the heritable change each species incorporates in order to solve the problem of survival under various conditions.

The biological diversity and abundance of plants and animals in a habitat cushions the ecosystem from total destruction and the collection of plants and animals from extinction should a disease, predator, or extreme climate condition suddenly impact. Because there are many different plants and animals, the disease, predator, or climate, should affect them differently, and not necessarily fatally, or not at all. With fewer and less diverse plants and animals, the impact is potentially catastrophic.

Students will analyze animals and their environments for the characteristics that make them unique.