Biology excursion

Do the exam questions

conservation strategies used to maintain biodiversity are

▪ genetic strategies, including gene/seed banks and captive breeding programs

▪ environmental strategies, including revegetation and control of introduced species

▪ management strategies, including protected areas and restricted commercial and recreational access

What does measuring conductivity in an ecosystem indicate?

Conductivity measures the amount of dissolved salts and ions in water, indicating water quality and pollution levels.

Why is pH important when assessing ecosystem health?

pH shows how acidic or basic the water is; extreme pH levels can harm aquatic life.

How does temperature affect an ecosystem's health?

Temperature influences metabolic rates of organisms and oxygen solubility in water.

What role do bugs (macroinvertebrates) play in assessing ecosystem health?

The presence and diversity of bugs indicate water quality, as some are sensitive to pollution while others tolerate it.

What is the scientific method in ecosystem assessment?

A systematic approach involving observation, hypothesis, experimentation, data collection, and conclusion to evaluate ecosystem health.

what is the impact of introduced species

• Competition with native species:
  compete for limited resources such as food, habitat, and breeding sites. Without natural predators in the new environment, they can multiply quickly and dominate, causing native species populations to decline or become locally extinct.

• Predation on native species:
  having not evolved defenses against these predators, suffer increased mortality rates. This predation pressure can collapse local populations and disrupt food chains.

• Alteration of habitat and ecosystem processes:
  Introduced species may change environmental conditions by altering soil chemistry, water flow, or vegetation structure. These changes can degrade habitat quality, making it less suitable for native species and reducing ecosystem functionality.

• Spread of diseases and parasites:
  Non-native species can introduce unfamiliar diseases and parasites to native populations, which often lack immunity. This can lead to widespread illness and population declines among native species.

• Economic and social impacts:
  Invasive species can damage agriculture, fisheries, and natural resources, leading to significant financial costs for management and control. They may also impact cultural values and recreational activities linked to native ecosystems.

• Genetic impacts on native species:
  Introduced species can interbreed with closely related native species, leading to hybridization. This can reduce the genetic purity of native populations, potentially weakening their adaptations and survival chances.