Biology Year 11 - Module 3 - Lesson 1

What is Biodiversity?

Use this worksheet after reading the lesson to practise the key ideas and prove you can meet the success criteria.

Name
Date
Class

1. Key Ideas

Australia holds roughly 10% of the world's biodiversity despite covering only about 5% of Earth's land. That claim only makes sense if we know what biodiversity actually means, how scientists describe it, and why it matters for the stability of living systems.

  • Key facts and definitions for What is Biodiversity?
  • The concepts and principles underlying What is Biodiversity?

2. Success Criteria

By the end, you should be able to:

  • Key facts and definitions for What is Biodiversity?
  • Relevant terminology and conventions
  • The concepts and principles underlying What is Biodiversity?

3. Key Terms

Genetic diversityvariation in alleles within a species or population
Ecosystem diversitythe variety of habitats, communities and ecological processes, such as rainforest, coral reef, mangrove and arid grassla
WhatBiodiversity? - HSC Biology Year 11 | HSCScience
and why Australiaone of the world's megadiverse countries
Apply concepts from WhatBiodiversity? to exam-style questions
and how evenly individualsdistributed between them

4. Activity: Build the Lesson Map

Use the lesson to complete the table. Keep answers brief but specific.

PromptYour answer
Main concept
Important example
Common mistake to avoid
How this links to the next lesson

5. Short Answer Questions

1. Explain this lesson goal in your own words: "Key facts and definitions for What is Biodiversity?". Use one specific example from the lesson.

Band 32 marks

2. Apply this idea to a new example: "Relevant terminology and conventions". Show your reasoning clearly.

Band 43 marks

3. Analyse why this idea matters for understanding What is Biodiversity?: "The concepts and principles underlying What is Biodiversity?".

Band 54 marks

6. Extend: Apply the Idea

Band 5/65 marks

A student gives a memorised answer about What is Biodiversity? but does not use evidence or reasoning.

Improve the answer by writing a stronger response that uses accurate terminology, a relevant example and a clear explanation.

7. Multiple Choice

1. What is the best first step when answering a question about What is Biodiversity??

A. Identify the key concept being tested

B. Write every fact from memory

C. Ignore the command word

D. Skip examples and evidence

2. Which answer would show stronger understanding of What is Biodiversity??

A. An answer with accurate terms and reasoning

B. A copied definition only

C. A single-word response

D. An answer with no example

3. What should you do if a question asks you to explain?

A. Link the idea to a reason or cause

B. List unrelated facts

C. Only draw a diagram

D. Write the shortest possible answer

8. Success Criteria Proof

Finish with evidence that you can do each success criterion.

Success criterion 1

Prove that you can: Key facts and definitions for What is Biodiversity?

Band 32 marks
Success criterion 2

Prove that you can: Relevant terminology and conventions

Band 43 marks
Success criterion 3

Prove that you can: The concepts and principles underlying What is Biodiversity?

Band 54 marks

One thing I still need help with: