biology 11.3 - importance of biodiversity

What is a keystone species?

Other species depend on them and without them ecosystems would change dramatically

What do keystone species do?

If predator they keep pry population in check

Can be modifiers which maintain the environment e.g. beavers building dams

Can be hosts = plants that provide a particular environment

What are genetic resources?

Any material from any organism that contains genes that we find valuable

What do genetic resources provide us with?

• food and drink

• Clothing - fibres + fabrics often made from plants or animals

• Drugs

• Fuel - renewable

• Other industrial materials - e.g. wood, paper, dyes, adhesives

What do genetic resources allow us to do?

Adapt to changing environments e.g. make a plant drought resistant using a gene from a genetic resource plant so climate change won’t effect it

What is continuous monoculture and what are its consequences?

Planting the same crop in the same field which out interruption which causes soil depletion as the same nutrients are constantly being used so will run out

What does soil depletion lead to?

Increased fertiliser cost as farmers try to artificially replace the lost nutrient. Also yield decreases