Biodiversity is a term that reflects the number of different species of organisms, plant and animal, that can be found in different habitats and ecosystems. Strong biodiversity means that there are many different species in a habitat, each living and interacting within that habitat in its own special way. Poor biodiversity means that there are fewer different species, which tend to “rule” the habitat. That type of habitat is less healthy and can result from the introduction of a non-native organism that has “taken over”.

Warm up your singing voice and sing the following song, Biodiversity Blues (to the tune of My Darling Clementine). Then, answer the questions below about biodiversity and how invasive species can affect it. You may want to review the “rap sheets” for Asa the Asian Shore crab, Deedee the Carpet Tunicate, and Walter the Water Chestnut. If you’re feeling creative, pick another invasive species, and add a verse to the Biodiversity Blues.

Biodiversity Blues

In my hab'tat, happy hab'tat Everything was oh so fine 'Til that new guy showed up un-asked Quickly changing what was mine What has happened? All is diff'rent Many friends have disappeared What had once been oh so many Is a few now, It is feared Too much cover, can't see sunshine Water chestnut's moving in Native plants are lost forever Those rosettes are filling in Seeds are dropping, always dropping And they carry with them spines Last for long time, before popping Spreading new plants all the time

Watch that shore crab, it's from Asia Takin' over that rocky shore Pushing out crabs that are native Losing shelter more and more Eating seaweed, eating mussels Eating other crabs as well Count their numbers-so amazing What was once home, who can tell? Happy bottom, many critters Then Didemnum did show up Covered over, like a carpet Left the critters out of luck Little eats it-who would want to? Nasty stuff it would appear Keeps on growing, taking over Happy bottom nowhere near

Choose the correct answer to each question

1.  Biodiversity means:   A. a large number of the same organism is found in a habitat   B.  a large number of different organisms found in a habitat

2.  The amount of biodiversity in a habitat or ecosystem can be harmed by:   A.  a species new to the habitat coming in and taking over   B.  a species native to the habitat coming in and taking over

3.  Water chestnut affects water bodies by:   A.  blocking out the sun used by native plants by covering the water surface   B.  allowing too much sun to reach the native plants by covering the bottom

4.  The seeds of a water chestnut plant:   A.  live only a short while before dying   B.  are well protected and can live a long time

5.  The Asian shore crab:   A.  is taking over sandy shores   B.  is taking over rocky shores

6.  The Asian shore crab is a:   A. carnivore (eats only meat)   B.  omnivore (eats both meat and plants)

7.  The carpet tunicate grows:   A.  over large areas of bottom, covering everything in its path   B. over small areas of bottom, covering only certain critters

8.  The carpet tunicate has:   A. many predators   B.  few predators

The concept for this activity was created by Nancy Balcom, Connecticut Sea Grant through a grant funded by the National Sea Grant College Program.