Studied by 3 peopleWhat is biodiversity?
A term for the variety of life
What is biodiversity?
Genetic diversity
Species diversity
Habitat diversity
What is biodiversity important for?
The resilience of ecosystems - allows them to resist changes in the environment
On what levels can biodiversity be assessed at?
Number and range of different ecosystems and habitats
Number of species and their relative abundance
Genetic variation within each species
Why is biodiversity important for a species?
For resilience of ecosystems - to resist changes in environment
Define habitats diversity
The range of different habitats within a particular ecosystem/biome
What will have a low biodiversity?
If there is only 1/2 different habitats
e.g. deserts as conditions are same, tundra
Define species diversity
The number of different species in an ecosystem and the evenness of abundance across the different species present
Define species richness
Number of species within an ecosystem
What will give a high species diversity?
The greater the number of species in an ecosystem and more evenly distributed the number of organisms are
What is an example of high species diversity?
Rainforests
What is an example of low species diversity?
Tundra
What is a feature of ecosystems with high species diversity?
More stable as more resilient to environmental changes
What is genetic diversity?
The range of genetic materialpresent inapartocular gene pool/popilation of species
What is higher genetic diversity good?
Makes a species more reistsant to disturbances like disease
What may a low genetic diversity indicate?
Low population size in recent history
What can humans do to genetic diversity and how?
Alter it by artificially breeding or genetically engineering populations with low genetic diversity
What are the advantages of human alterations?
Produces high-yielding crops
Produces disease-resistant plant
What are the disadvantages of human alterations?
If disease strikes, the whole population may be susceptible
What are the advantages of high genetic and species diversity?
Many species and more variety within species
Species can adapt to new and changing habitats
Species can adapt to new niches
What is a disadvantage to high genetic and species diversity?
May stop succession as species diversity falls later in succession - disrupts natural process
What are the advantages of high biodiversity?
Resilience and stability because many species are present that can survive drought, floods, disease, pest attack
Genetic diversity leading to disease resistance
Plants will have deep roots to cycle nutrients and bring them to the surface making them availabe for others
What are the disadvantages of high biodiversity?
Could result in the fragmentation of a habitat, or destruction when species richness arrives from pioneer species invading bare areas quickly
Grazing can be difficult because different plants have different tolerance to grazing
Some stable and healthy communitirs may have low biodiversit and are exceptions
What can communities and ecosystems be described ans and compared through?
The Diversity Index
What does the diversity index do?
Describe and compare ecosystems/communities
What can a low diversity index indicate?
Pollution
Eutrophication
Early stages of succession
What does the Simpson’s Diversity Index measure?
Biodiversity
Why do we need to repeat investigations over a period of time?
It tells us if biodiversity is increasing/decreasing
If conservation efforts are needed/effective
Why is measuring biodiversity important?
Identifying, exploring and conserving areas of high biodiversity
Why do we need to assess changes in biodiversity?
Assess the impact of human activity in a community
Give an example of a case study
Study conducted in India compared diversity of phytoplankton in a lake impacted by industrial pollution and a control lake
Over 6 months
Results showed that control lake had higher diversity and more abundance
Regions with high levels of biodiversity that are under threat fromhuman activities
How may recognised hotspots are there?
25 - 10 are tropical rainforests
What are hotspots?
Areas where 70% of the habitat has already been lost
What are the criticisms of hotspots?
Focus on vascular plants and ignore animals
Don't represent total species richness and diversity
Focus on places that have already lost habitat and not ones that may be under threat/losing
Don't consider genetic diversity
Don't consider the value of services like water resources
One which is found in only one region of the worldOne which is found in only one region of the world
What are the 4 steps of conserving biodiversity?
Identifying areas of high biodiversity
Exploration and research
Conservation planning
Monitoring and evaluating
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