GEF

Unit 5  |  The Importance of Biodiversity 117 5.5  Biodiversity Threats and Protection Strategies Over hundreds of years, people have developed strategies for protecting natural resources, wildlife, and biodiversity. The most visible of these is the creation of protected areas that either partially or completely limit human activities within a particular region. In the United States, the current protected area concept began with the creation of Yellowstone National Park in 1872. Yellowstone and other U.S. National Parks were originally designed to protect scenic wonders, such as geysers and hot springs. Other protected areas, such as Kruger National Park in South Africa, were created in order to protect valuable wild- life species like elephants and lions. PROTECTED AREAS Land or marine areas that prohibit or restrict human activity in order to protect species, habitats, or ecosystems. WATCH & LEARN http://bit.ly/2qlxV7F Watch the video and answer the questions below. 1. What does it mean that our fate is tied to the health of the Earth? 2. In small groups prepare and perform a skit illustrating this statement. video: Sustainability and Biodiversity