Biodiversity Hall Guide

In this section of the guide we describe ways to integrate the different areas of the Hall into the following aspects of the science curriculum:

  ecosystems/habitats
   human effects on the environment
  evolution

Spectrum of Life Wall

Ecosystems/Habitats

Text panels describe the value and benefits provided by ecosystems to humans—such as the production of oxygen through photosynthesis, or the purification of water.

Evolution

Most of the 200 scientists working at the Museum carry out research in systematics, the area of biology that describes living and extinct species, some already discovered and some formerly unknown to science. These systematists study the diversity of species by arranging organisms into groups that share an evolutionary history and classifying species according to characters, or distinctive features. Systematists display this information in a branching diagram called a cladogram. The organisms in each group, or clade, that branches off the cladogram share characters inherited from a common ancestor. Each of the 28 groups represented on the Spectrum of Life Wall makes up one clade. Combined, these 28 clades constitute a giant cladogram that contains all life on Earth: almost 1.75 million species have already been described, but there are millions more. Estimates range from 5-100 million.

The complete cladogram is shown on the text panel in front of the interactive computer stations. Use these stations to identify specimens on the wall. Text panels provide information about and examples of species within each clade—including the characteristic features used to define them—and, in some cases, the threats they face.

Crisis Zone

Human Effects on the Environment

Human activity is now causing the sixth known mass extinction in our planet's history. The expansion of agriculture and industry, particularly in the last 400 years, has resulted in a loss of habitat, pollution, overexploitation by hunting and fishing, and the introduction of non-native species—species from other ecosystems—on large scales and in many parts of the globe. A display case contains animals that are either extinct or under serious threat because of human activity.

Evolution

Extinction is as much a part of the evolutionary cycle as the origin and diversification of new species. Scientists estimate that more than 99% of all species that have existed at some time on Earth are now extinct.

Evidence of five previous periods of global mass extinctions is found in the fossil record—the form, variety and distribution of all fossils in time and space. The display case in the floor identifies these events.

Habitat Video Wall

Ecosystems/Habitats

Examples of nine different ecosystems are shown on video screens. Their global distribution is displayed on maps. Panels provide the following information on each ecosystem:

  detailed description
  benefits provided to humans
  percentage of the Earth's surface covered
  global distribution

Human Effects on the Environment

Specific threats to each ecosystem are described in red beside the distribution map and superimposed on video screens.

Rain Forest Diorama

Ecosystems/Habitats

Visitors can observe the interaction of species within this diverse ecosystem as well as their interactions within microhabitats, such as a stream, a tree branch, or a dungheap. Disturbances caused by natural forces such as running water and elephants are evident. The text provides information about tropical forest ecology.

Human Effects on the Environment

Foreign timber and mining concessions drain natural resources from the region, while local people clear land for agriculture and use the forest for other basic needs. The government of the Central African Republic established the Dzanga-Ndoki National Park and the Dzanga-Sangha Dense Forest Reserve to protect this ecosystem. The national park is protected from human impacts, while the forest reserve allows limited extraction of the local flora and fauna. Dzanga-Sangha is an example of a conservation effort designed to conserve biodiversity by enlisting local people as partners in the management of a protected area.

Evolution

In tropical rain forests the interaction of abiotic, or non-living, elements such as heat, light, and water, results in the highest terrestrial rates of species diversity. This re-creation of the Dzanga-Sangha rain forest in the Central African Republic shows the rich biodiversity present in this ecosystem. Field guides on the rail identify the hundreds of species that live there.

Transformation of the Biosphere Wall

Human Effects on the Environment

This wall examines the root causes of biodiversity loss—population growth and overconsumption. Panel text, graphics, and video presentations provide detailed information as well as showing global impacts.

Solutions Wall

Human Effects on the Environment

Case studies on this wall provide examples of conservation in action. Attempts to solve complex ecological problems are described, and suggestions of ways that visitors themselves can make a difference are offered.

BioBulletin

On the other end of the wall from the Introductory Video, a BioBulletin offers magazine-format commentaries about biodiversity-related issues. It includes profiles of scientists and their research, and stories of threats to biodiversity as well as efforts to protect and conserve it. Produced on a regular basis, the BioBulletins keep the content of the Hall up-to-date.

	The HALL ofbiodiversity
background come prepared! key concepts and orientation background map of the hall before your visit while you're at the museum how to read the labels back in the classroom connections to other places in the museum links to New York State standards credits	In this section of the guide we describe ways to integrate the different areas of the Hall into the following aspects of the science curriculum: ecosystems/habitats human effects on the environment evolution Spectrum of Life Wall Ecosystems/Habitats Text panels describe the value and benefits provided by ecosystems to humans—such as the production of oxygen through photosynthesis, or the purification of water. Evolution Most of the 200 scientists working at the Museum carry out research in systematics, the area of biology that describes living and extinct species, some already discovered and some formerly unknown to science. These systematists study the diversity of species by arranging organisms into groups that share an evolutionary history and classifying species according to characters, or distinctive features. Systematists display this information in a branching diagram called a cladogram. The organisms in each group, or clade, that branches off the cladogram share characters inherited from a common ancestor. Each of the 28 groups represented on the Spectrum of Life Wall makes up one clade. Combined, these 28 clades constitute a giant cladogram that contains all life on Earth: almost 1.75 million species have already been described, but there are millions more. Estimates range from 5-100 million. The complete cladogram is shown on the text panel in front of the interactive computer stations. Use these stations to identify specimens on the wall. Text panels provide information about and examples of species within each clade—including the characteristic features used to define them—and, in some cases, the threats they face. Crisis Zone Human Effects on the Environment Human activity is now causing the sixth known mass extinction in our planet's history. The expansion of agriculture and industry, particularly in the last 400 years, has resulted in a loss of habitat, pollution, overexploitation by hunting and fishing, and the introduction of non-native species—species from other ecosystems—on large scales and in many parts of the globe. A display case contains animals that are either extinct or under serious threat because of human activity. Evolution Extinction is as much a part of the evolutionary cycle as the origin and diversification of new species. Scientists estimate that more than 99% of all species that have existed at some time on Earth are now extinct. Evidence of five previous periods of global mass extinctions is found in the fossil record—the form, variety and distribution of all fossils in time and space. The display case in the floor identifies these events. Habitat Video Wall Ecosystems/Habitats Examples of nine different ecosystems are shown on video screens. Their global distribution is displayed on maps. Panels provide the following information on each ecosystem: detailed description benefits provided to humans percentage of the Earth's surface covered global distribution Human Effects on the Environment Specific threats to each ecosystem are described in red beside the distribution map and superimposed on video screens. Rain Forest Diorama Ecosystems/Habitats Visitors can observe the interaction of species within this diverse ecosystem as well as their interactions within microhabitats, such as a stream, a tree branch, or a dungheap. Disturbances caused by natural forces such as running water and elephants are evident. The text provides information about tropical forest ecology. Human Effects on the Environment Foreign timber and mining concessions drain natural resources from the region, while local people clear land for agriculture and use the forest for other basic needs. The government of the Central African Republic established the Dzanga-Ndoki National Park and the Dzanga-Sangha Dense Forest Reserve to protect this ecosystem. The national park is protected from human impacts, while the forest reserve allows limited extraction of the local flora and fauna. Dzanga-Sangha is an example of a conservation effort designed to conserve biodiversity by enlisting local people as partners in the management of a protected area. Evolution In tropical rain forests the interaction of abiotic, or non-living, elements such as heat, light, and water, results in the highest terrestrial rates of species diversity. This re-creation of the Dzanga-Sangha rain forest in the Central African Republic shows the rich biodiversity present in this ecosystem. Field guides on the rail identify the hundreds of species that live there. Transformation of the Biosphere Wall Human Effects on the Environment This wall examines the root causes of biodiversity loss—population growth and overconsumption. Panel text, graphics, and video presentations provide detailed information as well as showing global impacts. Solutions Wall Human Effects on the Environment Case studies on this wall provide examples of conservation in action. Attempts to solve complex ecological problems are described, and suggestions of ways that visitors themselves can make a difference are offered. BioBulletin On the other end of the wall from the Introductory Video, a BioBulletin offers magazine-format commentaries about biodiversity-related issues. It includes profiles of scientists and their research, and stories of threats to biodiversity as well as efforts to protect and conserve it. Produced on a regular basis, the BioBulletins keep the content of the Hall up-to-date.
© 2002 American Museum of Natural History. All rights reserved.