Exploring the Diversity of Life: Exploring the Diversity of Life is a lively series of ten 10-minute programs about the great variety of species that share our planet. It examines the origins of natural diversity, the biological roles it plays, and its value to humans.The series is useful for teaching biology topics from natural selection to ecology, as well as earth science, social studies, and language arts. The programs compare North American temperate forests and Amazonian rain forests to address questions such as, How does the diversity of life in my area compare with the diversity in other places? Why is it that way? Why is it important? The series illustrates genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity; habitats; causes of habitat loss, the value of biodiversity; and some of the local, national, and international strategies for preserving natural diversity.

Program Titles

A World of Difference
Despite massive episodes of extinction, the life on Earth has generated an untold number of species. A World of Difference illustrates the concepts of genetic, species and ecosystem diversity, exploring the underlying forces that have created this diversity by comparing habitats that produce more or less of it: tropical and temperate forests.

Go Climb a Tree
To look more closely at the diversity in an ecosystem, it is helpful to examine some of the other creatures that other creatures depend on, such as trees. In a forest ecosystem, trees are a keystone species. This program examines trees and many of the plants and animals living in, on, around, and under them. The student is given a first-hand view of trees in temperate and tropical forests to illustrate the diversity they create.

Life in Layers
Whether in an ocean or on land, one way to view an ecosystem is to take it layer by layer. The program starts below the ground in a forest, and works up through the emergent trees above the canopy, comparing the layered habitats in temperate and tropical forests.

Rain and the Forest
One reason rain forests are more diverse than temperate forests is that they are wetter. The program compares the effects of rain on the diversity of life in temperate and tropical forests.

Insect Diversity
Insect species are among the most diverse on earth. The program compares insect diversity in temperate and tropical forests to illustrate the forces that drive genetic, species and ecosystem diversity.

Butterfly Garden
Nowhere is diversity more beautiful than in butterflies. The program compares temperate and tropical in the context of a butterfly garden that you can make at home or in school.

Not What They Seem
One kind of adaptive advantage lies in being hard to see. The program illustrates temperate and tropical examples of camouflage and their contribution to the diversity of life.

Forest School
No matter where you live, you have a relationship with the environment. This program compares the ways people related to their environments in North America and in a tropical rain forest.

Don't be Part of the Problem
The human population explosion on earth is diminishing the amount of habitat available for other species. This program examines the human impacts on the diversity of life both locally and globally.

Act with the Facts
Responsible environmental action requires investigating and gathering facts. This program illustrates the kind of information you need to gather to investigate issues involving the diversity of life.

Nature Works Why do skunks have stripes? Why do possums play dead? What in the world is an invasive species? The natural world prompts endless questions from children and inquisitive adults. Now NatureWorks provides answers for the “riddlers” in your life or classroom.

NatureWorks uses an entertaining and informative style to explore concepts that provide a foundation for an understanding of ecology and environmental issues. Student host Patrice Forrester, a junior naturalist, and senior naturalist Dave Erler of the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center explore how animals and plants interact with the environment. Each program opens with an instructional section that covers topics such as coloration, migration, natural communities, and species diversity. Following an interactive Q&A session with the junior and senior naturalist, the program features an “Up Close” look at wildlife to illustrate the concept.During the “Outdoor Trek” section, students spend time in the field with naturalists and scientists. Each program concludes with a review of the key concepts.

Snappy photography, exciting natural footage, animation, and a lively soundtrack make this an engaging learning experience for children.New Hampshire Public Television offers a comprehensive teaching guide for the series on its website.

Program Titles (each title is 15 minutes long)

ADAPTATION
1. Structural and Behavioral Adaptation
2. Coloration
3. Natural Communication
4. Migration

COMMUNITIES
5. Habitat
6. Marine Communities
7. Freshwater Communities
8. Terrestrial Communities

INTERDEPENDENCE
9. The Wildlife Web I
10. The Wildlife Web II
11. Decomposers and Scavengers
12. Population Dynamics

DIVERSITY
13. Species Diversity
14. Niche
15. Invasive Species
16. Life at Risk

1. S & B ADAPTATION
Junior Naturalist Patrice looks at howplants and animals are adapted to their environment. Patrice and Senior Naturalist Dave Erler observe the unique adaptations of the opossum.We take up-close look at the beaver. Cody and Octave visit the New England Aquarium’s critical care ward and learn how they are treating Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles that have washed ashore on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Return to the NatureWorks title list.

2. COLORATION
Junior Naturalist Patrice explains howcoloration is a structural adaptation that helps animals and plants survive in their environment. Patrice and Senior Naturalist Dave Erler examine the coloration of the great horned owl.We take an up-close look at the skunk.Von and Marrissa visit with wildlife photographer John Green and learn how color plays a role in photography. Return to the NatureWorks title list.

3. NATURAL COMMUNICATION
Junior Naturalist Patrice looks at howanimals communicate with visual, auditory, chemical, and tactile signals. Patrice and Senior Naturalist Dave Erler, look at the red fox and how it communicates using scent.We take an up-close look at how songbirds communicate.Morissa and Benjamin visit a pond with Herpetologist Tom Tining and learn how frogs communicate. Return to the NatureWorks title list.

4. MIGRATION
Junior Naturalist Patrice looks at howsome animals migrate to find food or a place to hibernate, and how others migrate to mate, give birth, and raise their young.Next, she joins Senior Naturalist Dave Erler to band some birds so they can be tracked as they migrate.We take a closer look at how the three raptors, the broad-winged hawk, the red-tailed hawk and the snowy owl migrate.Finally, Sara and Davis help Iain McCleod of the Audubon Society with his annual hawk count. Return to the NatureWorks title list.

5. HABITAT
This episode opens with JuniorNaturalist Patrice looking at how all living things need a habitat where their needs can be met.Next Patrice joins Senior Naturalist Dave Erler as they look at how the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center has created an artificial habitat in its aviary.Then we take an up-close look at the common loon and its habitat.Finally, Stevie and Taylor help biologist Kathy Wohlfort float a loon raft. Return to the NatureWorks title list.

6. MARINE COMMUNITIES
Patrice looks at how life in the ocean isorganized in layers.Next, Patrice and Dave look at life in a tide pool.Then we take an up-close look at estuaries.Finally, Jessica and Daniel spend the day in an estuary at the Wells Reserve monitoring soft shell clams and green crab experiments with Caitlin Mullen and Lindsay Whitlow. Return to the NatureWorks title list.

7. FRESH WATER COMMUNITIES
In the first segment, Patrice looks at life in lakes, streams, and wetlands.Next Patrice and Dave look at a snapping turtle.Then we take an up-close look at wetlands.Finally, Marissa and Benjamin join biologist Beth Malcolm and help inspect the growth of animal and plant life in a wetland environment. Return to the NatureWorks title list.

8. TERRESTRIAL COMMUNITIES
Patrice looks at, tundra, rainforest, grassland, taiga, temperate deciduous forest, and desert biomes. She then joins Dave to learn how the red-tailed hawk is adapted to a variety of habitats. In the third segment, we take an up-close look at the desert.Finally, Laura and Marshall take a hike with David Publicover of the Appalachian Mountain Club and look at the diversity of plant life along the trail. Return to the NatureWorks title list.

9. THE WILDLIFE WEB I (PRODUCERS AND HERBIVORES)
In the first segment, Patrice looks at how plants make food and at how and plants and plant eating animals depend on each other.Next, she and Dave examine an area and discuss the how the plants found there could provide food for moose and other herbivores. In segment three, we take an up-close look at the moose and its habitat.Finally, Olivia and Michael visit with Professor Brent Loy, who is producing melons that grow more quickly, bigger and sweeter. Return to the NatureWorks title list.

10. THE WILDLIFE WEB II (HERBIVORES AND CARNIVORES)
In the opening segment,Patrice explains how herbivores and carnivores depend on each other for survival. Next,Patrice joins Dave and learns about an insect eating predator, the brown bat. In the third segment, we take an up-close look at the gray wolf.Finally,Sarah and Cody visit a bat cave with Peter Benson from the Nature Conservancy. Return to the NatureWorks title list.

11. DECOMPOSERS AND SCAVENGERS
Patrice looks at the important role decomposers and scavengers play in the natural world. She then visits with Dave and they check on the progress of the decomposition of a dead gray squirrel. In the third segment, we take an up-close look at the turkey vulture.Finally, Hawk Mathany and Chris Thayer of the Appalachian Mountain Club show Laura and Marshall just how and what they recycle in the wilderness. Return to the NatureWorks title list.

12. POPULATION DYNAMICS
In the opening segment,Patrice looks at population and the limiting factors that can impact it.Next, she visits with Dave and they explore how a variety of factors can impact porcupine populations.The third segment takes an up-close look at the white-tailed deer. And finally,Von and Daniel visit with Professor Peter Pekins from the University of New Hampshire to learn about how he is helping to control deer numbers. Return to the NatureWorks title list.

13. SPECIES DIVERSITY
In the first segment, Patrice looks at the wide variety of life found on earth. and the important role species diversity plays in maintaining a health environment.Next she and Dave sweep for insects in a field near the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center and see how many different kinds of insects they can find. In segment three we take an up-close look at life on the forest floor.Finally Morrisa and Octave join Susan Morse of Keeping Track and discover the diversity of animals where she lives by looking for their tracks. Return to the NatureWorks title list.

14. NICHE
In segment one, Patrice looks at how all organisms have their own role, or niche in their environment.Next, Patrice and Dave look at the niche of the pileated woodpecker.Then we take an up-close look at coral reefs and the niches they fill in the ocean.Finally,Von and Marshall spend the day with conservation officer Joe Giarrusso and learn how he’s trying to control the impact of beavers in urban areas. Return to the NatureWorks title list.

15. INVASIVE SPECIES
In the opening segment, Patrice looks at how invasive species can change an environment. She then joins Dave and they look at the impact milfoil has on aquatic communities.We then take an up-close look at the mute swan.Finally, Emily and Sam visit with Professor Jim Morin and his researchers from the Shoals Marine Lab and learn about an invasive seaweed in the waters off their island. Return to the NatureWorks title list.

16. LIFE AT RISK
In segment one, Patrice looks at some of the factors that could endanger plant and animals species.Then she joins Dave to learn about the wood turtle.Next, we take an up-close look at the peregrine falcon.Finally, Sarah and Octave join Susi von Oettigen of the US Fish and Wildlife Service as she monitors the health of dwarf wedge mussels. Return to the NatureWorks title list.

Wild Song: The North Carolina Chapter of the Nature Conservancy asked us to produce a program for young children on the topic of biodiversity. We wanted to educate children, but we knew that studying biodiversity tied with going to the dentist as their favorite thing to do. We surveyed children to find out what they wanted, and they told us they were too busy watching music videos to complete a survey. Eureka! We produced the world's first biodiversity music video! The accompanying teaching guide helps you to expand on the concepts introduced in the video. One hundred percent of the profit from the sale of the video goes to the North Carolina Chapter of The Nature Conservancy.