Ecology

Wildlife Population Distribution

As all of Earth’s creatures live in the same home, understanding the importance of sharing has never been more vital. Identify a local plant or animal species that is experiencing a population change and share ideas for ways to live in balance as a global community.

Discover the causes of overpopulation.

Read Chapter 39, Section 3 of E.O. Wilson’s Life on Earth to learn how human actions can sometimes reduce the size of wildlife habitats — crowding animals in a smaller space, or eliminating one or more natural predators.

Life on Earth, Unit 7

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Human population growth: A planetary challenge

Our global human population has more than doubled in the last 50 years. Today there are 7 billion people and counting. As our species grows in number the impact on Earth’s available resources will only intensify.

7.1Billion

Global Resources
Humans

1956

2016

Research endangered animals.

While some species are becoming overpopulated, others are experiencing severe population decline. Use the WWF Togetherness app to learn about endangered species, including giant pandas, tigers, monarch butterflies, marine turtles, and polar bears. Then use the iNaturalist app to investigate why a local wild animal or plant species population is changing.

WWF Together

Download for free in the App Store

iNaturalist

Download for free in the App Store

Explain how your community can help.

Use iMovie to create a 30-second public service announcement (PSA) that gives an overview of the animal or plant species that is threatened or overpopulated. Explain what factors are affecting its population density, why this is an issue, and how the community can help address the problem.

iMovie

Download for free in the App Store

The location of different organisms throughout a habitat says a lot about their needs, their ecosystems, and the ways that they interact with other species.

E. O. Wilson’s Life on Earth