CAPE Bio (P1/2) - Ecosystems, Biodiversity and Conservation

• Briefly explain why ecosystems are said to be dynamic

The interactions that its organisms have with each other and their environment is dependent on the ever-changing abiotic and biotic factors that affect its contest

• abiotic factor

a non-living factor present in the environment that affects an ecosystem

• What type of ecosystem factor would light intensity, temperature, gas concentrations, pH, edaphic factors, water, wave action, humidity, wind speed and topography fall under?

Abiotic

• biotic factor

a living factor refers to a living factor present in the environment that affects an ecosystem

• What type of ecosystem factor would predation, competition, disease, human activity and symbiosis fall under?

Biotic

• symbiosis

the instance in which a non-feeding relationship is established between two or more organisms in which at least one organism is dependent on another

• State the three main types of symbiosis

mutualism, commensalism and parasitism

• mutualism

the instance in which both organisms benefit from the relationship

• commensalism

the instance in which one organism benefits but the other is virtually unaffected

• parasitism

the instance in which one organism, the parasite, benefits by harming another organism, the host

• Describe the Aripo Savanna Scientific Reserve with respect to its abiotic factors

This Trinidadian reserve is situated across numerous biomes with flat topography allowing predators and prey to see each other easily and a constant high wind speed promotes rapid evaporation and transpiration in the plants. The tropical climate results in large amounts of rainfall annually, relatively warm temperature and high humidity. Domestic runoff often causes grass to grow sparsely due to increase in pH. The soil consists mostly of low-drainage clay allowing the land to become easily flooded during rainy season and small depressions caused by earthworms and termites collect water. However, due to its impermeable clay layer, water is taken up by the soil in relatively small amounts. Hence, many plants suffer due to water shortages and have adapted zerophytic characteristics, such as reduced leaves and succulent tissues, storing water in their bulbs and stilted roots to adapt to the water conditions

• Describe the Aripo Savanna Scientific Reserve with respect to symbiosis and human activity

Parasitic orange love vines lack chlorophyll and instead sap nutrients from other plants. Commensalistic epiphytes grow atop the woody trees to obtain sunlight. The reserve is also impacted by human activities such as squatting, quarrying, agricultural/industrial runoff, poachers setting fires and illegal removal of timber from Galba trees and cocorite palms

• biodiversity

the amalgamation of all the life forms in a particular habit which is quantified by the degree and type of variety

• State the three main types of diversity which contribute to biodiversity

Species, genetic and ecosystem

• species diversity

the variety of different species found within a habitat

• Briefly explain the relationship between species diversity and an ecosystem

Every habitat tends to hold an array of species as habitats tend to have enough resources to sustain multiple populations and the needs of each species localizes them, including those satisfied by feeding. High species diversity increases the stability of an ecosystem as it reduces migration and its effects and limits disturbances to the food web and feeding relationships of the ecosystem

• genetic diversity

the variation of genetic information within a population

• Briefly explain the relationship between genetic diversity and species

It helps showcase the different characteristics a species can display and demonstrates those which are advantageous and provide considerable benefit to the survival of the species

• ecosystem diversity

the variations in ecosystems in a defined geographical area

• State the three main reasons for maintaining biodiversity

intrinsic, direct and indirect

• Explain the intrinsic reasons behind maintaining diversity

Many argue that we out to take care of the earth and our fellow inhabitants and respect the fact that other organisms have as much right to the earth as we do, especially those that are endemic or endangered. In addition, we should limit the damage or alterations we do to the natural space as an extension of this respect and so that future generations may be able to experience it

• Explain the direct reasons behind maintaining diversity

Maintaining biodiversity helps to protect natural attractions which boost tourism and preserve natural resources, especially the replenishable ones or those that can be overexploited

• Explain the indirect reasons behind maintaining diversity

Maintaining biodiversity is important to medicine as many ecosystems and organisms set the models for scientific breakthroughs and also aids in flood prevention as trees and the like help to strengthen soil

• conservation

the protection of species, habitats and ecosystems with the general aim of maintaining biodiversity

• in situ conservation

that which mostly involves preserving natural habitats and organisms on-site

• What type of conservation do national parks and wildlife reserves relate to?

in situ

• Briefly explain the importance of in situ conservation

It makes it so that all of the neds of the ecosystem are readily available and can easily be provided. It also allows the conservers to concentrate on select species and controls the introduction of invasive species or action. The maintenance of this population through in situ conservation helps to prevent damage to natural ecosystems so that viable populations can be sustained — stability which encourages growth which contributes to biodiversity

• ex situ conservation

the instance in which biodiversity is maintained in an artificial habitat for the purpose of protecting vulnerable populations

• What type of conservation do protected areas, seed storage, captive breeding, tissue culture, botanic gardens, zoos, sperm banks and embryo banks fall under?

Ex situ

• Briefly explain the importance of ex situ conservation

It helps to mitigate the ramifications if a species was completely wiped out from an ecosystem and instead creates a dynamic where the population indirectly interacts with each other and/or the rest of the ecosystem under controlled conditions specialized to the needs and survival of the species. This particular method of conservation helps to maintain genetic stability as endangered species or members of a population with rare alleles can be selectively bred in the attempt to strengthen the numbers of viable members of the population — maintaining biodiversity