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Wildlife Diversity: The Links of LifeChapter 2: Diversity, the Spice of LifePerhaps you have heard the saying "variety is the spice of life." When scientists refer to variety in nature they call it biological diversity or biodiversity. They are usually referring to the number of different types of living things or species (a group of animals or plants that resemble each other and breed among themselves). But there are many ways to think of diversity--you can find diversity in just about anything. Diversity makes life interesting. Wouldn't life be boring if there were only one kind of tree? If all the flowers were one color? If everyone looked alike? Diversity can also tell us if an environment is healthy, and healthy environments are better places to live. Diversity can be useful to humans because some of the species can be used to make medicines, foods, or clothing. Because new species are being discovered all the time all over the world, there are probably other uses for wildlife that we do not even know about yet. Diversity can apply to plants and habitats just as well as to wildlife. Some habitats are more diverse than others and have more types of plants. Habitats that are more diverse usually have more wildlife associated with them. Biologists often use diversity to measure the health of habitats and environments. For example, the number of bird species in a forest can often indicate how complex and natural a forest is. Often, the more natural a forest is, the more diverse and healthy it is.
Activity 7: Bountiful ButterfliesYou are a wildlife manager and you are given the task of deciding if the butterfly reserve or the old field has a higher diversity of butterflies. Which is more diverse, the reserve or the field? Which do you think is better for butterflies?
 Return to question.(Answer is Field A) A. Minnesota's Diverse BiomesMinnesota is a state that is rich in diversity because three different biomes come together in it. Biomes are large areas that thrive in a particular climate or rainfall region and provide a particular habitat to certain plants and animals. The prairie biome in the western part of the state is open, without many trees. The hardwoods biome in the middle section of the state is made up of deciduous (trees that lose their leaves in winter) hardwood forests while forests in northern Minnesota have more conifers (trees with needles and cones) and peatlands. Within these three different major biomes exists a diversity of habitats. 1. The Prairie Biome
2. The Hardwoods Biome Minnesota's hardwoods species include:
3. The Northern (Boreal) Forest Biome
  B. Threats to DiversityHumans threaten wildlife and biological diversity in the following ways: Habitat Destruction. Habitat loss is the major reason that plants and animals become extinct because expanding human populations use more food and more space for living. When people take away habitat by clearing forests, filling marshes, and damming rivers, they remove habitats that other species need.
Contamination. Pollution can destroy habitats by poisoning the animals and plants. When a pollutant enters a habitat, it's called a contaminant. Contaminants can find their way into the links of life. The chemical DDT, a pesticide, accumulates in fish and small mammals eaten by birds such as the bald eagle and peregrine falcon. DDT causes eggshells to become thin and break from the weight of the bird, before the young can hatch. Even though the United States no longer allows the use of this chemical, people in other countries still use it. Many birds winter in some of these countries and return to Minnesota. Water and air pollution, including acid rain, also hurt many forms of life. Mercury is a problem pollutant in Minnesota lakes. Fish and the animals they eat become contaminated by mercury in these aquatic habitats. The birds and mammals (including humans!) that feed on these fish may also be affected.  Over-exploitation. During our country's early history, few laws controlled hunting and people knew little about wildlife management. Species such as the passenger pigeon, the white-tailed deer, and American bison were over-hunted. Currently, in the U.S. and many other countries, hunting is regulated by law to keep populations of game species healthy. Many rare plants and animals become extinct because of illegal hunting and trade. Although it is illegal in most countries to harm endangered species, people still kill them for money. For example, rhinoceros horns, coats made from jaguar and tiger skins, and objects made from turtle shells and ivory are illegally sold for large profits. Tropical bird species that are rare in the wild are often captured and taken for pets. Up to 50 percent of the birds captured for pets die before they ever get to the market! Introduced species. People have also interfered with the links of life by bringing species to places they don't belong. Sometimes this is done on purpose (house sparrow, pheasants) and sometimes by accident (rats). Introduced species, which are known as exotics, can harm native species in many ways:
There are many exotic animals and plants in the U.S. For example, people brought starlings from Europe to get rid of the Japanese beetles that were destroying their plants. But starlings compete with native birds and displace them from many areas. English house sparrows are also exotics. They have caused eastern bluebirds to become less common by taking their nest sites.  Activity 9: What Contaminants Do to WildlifeWhat happens to bird feathers and eggs when they are covered with oil?You will need:
1. Oil Measurement. Start by covering the bottom of the shallow pan with water. Pour three to seven drops of cooking oil into the pan (count the drops). Measure the approximate area covered by the oil. 2. Oil on an Egg. Next put the three hard-boiled eggs into the jar with the oil. Take one out after 5 minutes and peel it. What do you see? Take one out after 15 minutes and peel the shell. What do you see? 3. Oil on a Feather. Next look closely at the feather with the magnifying glass. Draw what you see. Dip the feather in water. Take it out and look at it under the lens. What do you see? Did the oil change the feather? How do you think oil spills affect birds that live in oceans or on coasts? Adapted from Project Wild, "No Water Off a Duck's Back." Used with permission.
Activity 10: "A Search for Exotics"You will need:
Some possible exotics in your neighborhood:
Additional ActivitiesBecome an ecowarrior: Get involved with agencies or groups that help eradicate exotic species like Eurasian water milfoil and purple loosestrife. Look for areas in your neighborhood that have been invaded by these species, get permission and directions on how to get rid of the invaders, and become an ecowarrior. Call the Department of Natural Resources for information. Become active in groups that work to preserve habitat and protect wildlife. Hunters, scientists, environmentalists, and other people concerned about conservation often work together to help wildlife. Find out what groups are active in your area and get involved. Try calling the Minnesota Deer-Hunters Association, Ducks Unlimited, National Audubon Society, Sierra Club, Nature Conservancy, or Pheasants Forever. Survey your neighborhood and decide whether there is an area that needs cleanup or improvement. First get permission from the county or landowner to clean or improve the area. Make a game plan and follow it through. Evaluate the results of your work. Conduct a spring amphibian diversity survey. Survey your local wetlands for frogs and toads in the early Spring both morning and late evening. Learn to identify frog calls from a tape and bring a field guide with you in case you see some. Record all species you hear and see if you can estimate the number of individuals calling in a 5-minute period. Keep records of each wetland and return every 4 weeks to the sites. Use a sheet at the end of this guide. Did amphibian diversity change over the spring? Take a trip to the Bell Museum of Natural History at the University of Minnesota. Tour the dioramas to get a feeling of the great diversity of Minnesota's natural history. Fair Projects/Exhibit IdeasMake a display of leaves, stems, and flowers of introduced plants in your area. Identify and label the different plants and describe the habitats in which they are found. Explain the negative effects these invaders have on native plants. Research the Native American medicinal uses of wildlife species found in Minnesota. Prepare an exhibit that tells a story about the plants and wildlife Native Americans used, including whether and how we still use them today. (See Medicinal and Food Plants of the North American Indians by Lothian Lynas, 1972.) Make a collage of the diversity of different birds' eggs and nests. Do not use real ones; it is illegal to collect them without a permit. Use field guides to draw pictures of the eggs and nests. Look in wildlife magazines for pictures to cut out or take your own pictures. Label the eggs and nests with the name of the bird that makes up the exhibit. Design a habitat reserve to protect threatened and endangered species from extinction. Make a model or large map of the imaginary or real area. Draw or model the habitat types that are important to the species. Include a list of the different methods to help protect species. Make a three-sided display that illustrates how our everyday activities affect threatened or other wildlife. For example, when we drive cars we pollute air. Cars also cause a demand for oil that increases the destruction of habitat and the chance that oil may spill into oceans and rivers. Make a three-sided display that shows the problems cause by introduced species. Choose one to three introduced species that live in your area. Show how these species may harm native animals and plants. Your state conservation agency (Department of Natural Resources or Department of Conservation) should have information on this topic.
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Habitat Fragmentation. When habitats are destroyed, large areas are broken up into many smaller ones. Habitat edge, the space between two different plant communities, is greatly increased. Some species do well in edge, but others are negatively affected. For example, the woodland song birds need large tracks of undisturbed forest for successful reproduction. The brown-headed cowbird is a bird that prefers edges. Rather than making its own nests, the brown-headed cowbird lays its eggs in the nests of other birds to be raised. The other birds raising brown-headed cowbird young often cannot produce any of their own young or their young are eaten by predators who like edge areas. The populations of the woodland song birds are harmed by habitat fragmentation.