humiBiointeractive Apps Student Worksheet BiomeViewer: Biodiversity and Human Impacts HUMAN IMPACTS ON BIODIVERSITY 5. Go back to your original biome from question 1. Make sure you are still in flat map view. Change to the Anthrome layer and select the year 2000. a. Select the point in your biome with the highest level of human disturbance. List the Anthromes at this location for each of these years: 1700: 1800: 1900: 2000: b. Briefly summarize how humans have impacted the environment at this location over time. c. At this location, record the following: Anthrome (year 2000): Species Richness: # Species NOT listed as "Least Concern": d. Now select the point in your biome with the lowest level of human disturbance. Ideally, it should be a wilderness area, but as close as possible to the last location. Record the following: Anthrome: Species Richness: # Species NOT listed as "Least Concern": e. Summarize the differences in species richness and IUCN status of species between the two locations. Make a claim for how human disturbance could have impacted biodiversity in your biome. Support your claim with evidence.The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
To accurately complete this worksheet, you’d need to interact directly with the BiomeViewer app from HHMI Biointeractive , which provides the Anthrome (human-altered biome) data, species richness, and IUCN species conservation statuses. However, I can provide a sample answer using the Tropical Rainforest biome (e.g., the Amazon Basin) as an example, assuming typical data from the tool.
5. Human Impacts on Biodiversity (Example: Amazon Rainforest Biome)
a. Point with the Highest Level of Human Disturbance
- 1700: Wildlands
- 1800: Populated Woodlands
- 1900: Residential Woodland
- 2000: Urban and Cropland Mosaic
b. Summary of Human Impact Over Time
Over the centuries, human impact in this Amazon region has significantly intensified. In 1700, it was largely untouched wilderness. By 1800, indigenous and early colonial activity led to limited land use. By 1900, settlements and agriculture began expanding, fragmenting forest habitats. In 2000, urban development and large-scale agriculture (especially cattle ranching and soy cultivation) transformed the land into a patchwork of cities, roads, and farms. Deforestation, pollution, and habitat fragmentation are now major concerns.
c. Highly Disturbed Location (2000)
- Anthrome: Urban and Cropland Mosaic
- Species Richness: 450
- # Species NOT “Least Concern”: 120
d. Least Disturbed Location Nearby
- Anthrome: Wildlands (Intact Rainforest)
- Species Richness: 600
- # Species NOT “Least Concern”: 75
e. Comparison and Claim
In the more disturbed location, species richness is lower (450 vs. 600), and the number of threatened species is higher (120 vs. 75). This suggests that human disturbance reduces biodiversity and increases extinction risk. Deforestation and urbanization destroy habitats, reduce food sources, and introduce pollution and invasive species. In contrast, the wilderness area supports more species and fewer at risk. This supports the claim that human disturbance negatively impacts biodiversity by degrading ecosystems and fragmenting habitats essential for species survival.
Explanation
Human disturbance has a profound impact on biodiversity, particularly in sensitive and species-rich biomes like tropical rainforests. The Amazon, one of the most biodiverse places on Earth, offers a clear example. In this exercise, we compared two locations within the Amazon biome: one highly impacted by humans and one largely untouched.
At the disturbed site, the Anthrome classification evolved from Wildlands in 1700 to an Urban and Cropland Mosaic by 2000. This transition reflects deforestation, road construction, urban expansion, and agricultural development. These changes fragment the forest and disrupt ecosystems. As a result, species richness dropped to 450, and 120 species were no longer classified as “Least Concern,” suggesting elevated risk of extinction.
By contrast, the wilderness area remained a Wildlands Anthrome. It retained higher species richness (600) and fewer species at risk (75). This suggests that intact habitats provide critical resources like shelter, food, and breeding grounds that support diverse and stable animal and plant populations.
The difference in biodiversity between these two points supports the claim that human disturbance reduces biodiversity. Anthropogenic changes such as land conversion, pollution, and habitat fragmentation lead to local extinctions and population declines. Even species that survive in altered landscapes may face increased competition and reduced genetic diversity.
Therefore, protecting wild areas and regulating land use are vital for conserving biodiversity. This exercise demonstrates how tools like BiomeViewer can help visualize and quantify the ecological impact of human activities, guiding conservation efforts and policy decisions.
