3.1 An Introduction to Biodiversity

What 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?

1. Identifying areas of high biodiversity

2. Exploration and research

3. Conservation planning

4. Monitoring and evaluating

Explain identifying areas of biodiversity

• Quantifying biodiversity helps identify areas with high levels of species richness and endemism

• These areas may be prioritised for conservation efforts since they are likely to have unique and important ecological roles, and may be particularly vulnerable to human activities such as deforestation, mining, and urbanisation

Explain exploration and research

• Once areas of high biodiversity have been identified, further exploration and research can be conducted to better understand the biodiversity of the area

• This can include surveys of flora and fauna, habitat assessments, and studies on ecological interactions

• This information can then be used to develop appropriate conservation strategies

Explain conservation planning

• Quantification of biodiversity can help guide the development of conservation plans

• For example, protected areas can be established to conserve important habitats and species, and restoration efforts can be focused on areas with high ecological value

• Conservation measures can also be targeted towards specific threats such as habitat fragmentation, invasive species, and over-harvesting

Explain monitoring and evaluation

• Biodiversity quantification can also be used to monitor and evaluate the effectivenessof conservation efforts

• This can include monitoring changes in species composition, habitat quality, and ecosystem services over time

• By evaluating the success of conservation efforts, strategies can be adjusted and improved to better protect biodiversity