Unit 1 FRQ's

study thid

a. what is the Shannon-Wienner Diversity Index of the priairie community? You must show your work so I can follow your thinking

taking the sum of Pi * ln(Pi) for each species

b. What is the Species richness of the prairie community?

The species richness is 6 because that is the total number of species in the prairie community.

c. What is the dominant species of this prairie ecosystem?

The dominant species is the big bluestem.

a. Describe TWO characteristics shared by ecosystems that have high biodiversity.

• Large number of different species

  • Increasing species diversity can influence ecosystem functions — such as productivity — by increasing the likelihood that species will use complementary resources and can also increase the likelihood that a particularly productive or efficient species is present in the community.

• Complex food web

  • here are more niches, or roles, available, this can result in greater diversity and stability

b. Identify TWO specific human activities that result in a loss of biodiversity, and explain how each activity lowers biodiversity

• Clearing land for construction/homes/roads:

  • By doing this humans are destroying animal lands and it changes existing habitat and it can remove resources like shelter, water and food, as well as trees.

  • Result in habitat fragmentation

• Over fishing/hunting/poaching

  • Reduce key species that allow the environment to thrive and grow, reduce top predators so that their prey will increase too much which in turn hurts the ecosystem. In some cases it can deplete the endangered species in that ecosystem.

c. For each human activity you discussed in part b, propose a practical strategy (other than simply banning the activity) to reduce the loss of biodiversity.

• Clearing land for construction/homes/roads:

  • Pass a law to only be able to cut down specific trees that harm our environment. Replant trees, maybe when you buy things or purchase things online it plants a tree.

• Overfishing/hunting/poaching

  • At fishing ponds and lakes the game officers should check what they are fishing and how much, and regulate rules for the amount of fish you can catch for each type.

d. Describe ONE natural occurring factor that could lead to a loss of biodiversity

• Wildfires are a natural occurring factor that harms animals' habitats and destroys many miles of trees and any forest extremely quickly.

e. Describe TWO ecological benefits that greater biodiversity provides.

• Pollination

  • Allows many flowers and plants to flourish and grow because bees and insects collect and spread pollen.

• Water/air filtration

  • This reduces the level of minerals in the water and air and reduces the build in things, this increases energy efficiency and reduces waste.