biodiversity

what is meant by biodiversity

the number of different habitats in an area, the number of species within those habitats and the genetic variation within each species

what are some examples of high biodiversity

amazon rainforest, woodland

why is biodiversity important

• maintaining a balanced ecosystem

• all species are interconnected, meaning we all rely on each other

what are the three different studies of biodiversity

• habitat biodiversity

• species biodiversity

• genetic biodiversity

what is meant by habitat biodiversity

number of different habitats found within an area. Each species can support other species, so the greater the habitiat biodiversity, the greater the species biodiversity

what is meant by species richness

-the number of different species living in a particular area

what is meant by species evenness

a comparison of the number of individuals of each species living in a community

what does genetic biodiversity mean

the variety of genes within a species that make up a species

what does sampling mean ?

taking measurments of a limited number of individual organisms present in a particular area

can be used to estimate the number of organisms in an area

random sampling

selecting individuals by chance, each organism has an equal chance of being selected. Quadrant practical

non random sampling

sample is not chose at random

what does opportunistic mean

weakest form of sampling, as it may not be representative of the population. Uses organisms that are conveniently available, based of prior knowledge

what is stratified sampling

strata ( sub groups) bases on characteristics. Like popuplation being sperated into males and females. Then a random sample is taken from these stratas

what is systematic sampling

different areas within an overall habitat are identified, which are then sampled seperatley. A line transect can be used

what are the pros and cons of random sampling

pros- not biased

cons- may not cover areas equally, species may be missed leading to an underestimate

what are the pros and cons if opportumistic sampling

pros - easier and quicker then random

cons- over estiate of its importance

what are the pros and cons of stratified sampling

pros- all different areas of a habitat are sampled

cons- over represntation of some areas

what are the pros and cons of systematic samoking

pros- useful when a clear gradient in some environmental facors

cons- other species may be missed, leafding to an underestimate

quadrant

to study non mobile species , random sampling, use a ranodm number generator for coordinates

What exmpales are there of ways to sample animals

• pooter ( sucking insects up with a straw )

• Sweep nets ( insects in long grass)

• Pitfall traps ( hole is dug and an insect falls into it )

• Tree beating

• Koch sampling

What ways are there of sampling plants

• quadrant/ farm quadrant ( sometimes to use slow moving animals)

• Point quadrant

What does species density mean

How many of a species is present, measured using a frame quadrant. This is an absolute measure not an estimate

What does frequency mean

This is used where individual members of a species are hard to count.

Explain how capture- recapture works

• a sample of animals is trapped and marked (c1) and then realised

• Later a second sample is collected and the number of marked individuals (c3) out of the total number captured is counted (C2)

• C1 x c2/ C3 = total Population

What is assumed during capture recapture

1. Animals are mobile

2. There were no births or deaths

3. There was no immigration

4. The population is large

What doeas abiotic factors mean

Are non living conditions in a bit ist that have a direct effect in the living organism

What are some examples of abiotic factors

• wind speed

• Light intensity

• Re;active humidity

• PH

• Temperature

• Oxygen content in water

What does species richness mean

Number of different species in an area

What does species evenness mean

Number of individuals of each species in an ares

What is the equation for Simpsons index of diversity , and what do they mean

What does a low biodiversity tell us

• low number of successful species

• Stressful environment

• Low number of species in the environment

• Simple food webs

• If environment changes it will effect the whole ecosystem

What does having a high biodiversity value tell us about a habitat

• large number of successful species

• Low stress environment

• Food webs are complex

• If there is a change on the environment it has a small effect on the whole ecosystem

Define allele

A different version or variant of the same gene, arising from differences in the base sequence, blue eye allele and brown eye allele are both eye genes

What is a genotype

An underlying genetic makeup of an organism, specifically referring to the combination of alleles it possesses for a particular gene or set of genes

What is a phenotype

An observable feature

What is a polymorphic gene

A gene that have more than 1 allele

What is a monomorphic gene

When there is only one variant of the gene

What factors could increase genetic biodiversity

• mutations in the DNA of an organism, creating a new allele

• Interbreeding between different populations, this is known as gene flow

Which factors decrease genetic diversity

• selective breeding

• Captive breeding programmes

• Artificial cloning

• Natural selection

• Genetic drift

• Genetic bottlenecks

• The founder effect

Explain genetic bottlenecks

Where few individuals within a population survive an event or change, thus reducing the gene pool

What is the founder effect

When a small number of individuals create a new colony, geographically isolated from the original. The gene pool of this new population is small

What is genetic drift

Because of random Nature of alleles being passed from parent to their offspring, the frequency of occurrence of an allele will vary. In some cases the excistnece of a particular allele can disappear from population altogether. Genetic drift is more pronounced in populations with low genetic biodiversity

What is the equation for measuring genetic biodiversity

What are the 3 main factors effecting biodiversity

• human population growth

• Agriculture

• Climate change

How does deforestation affect biodiversity

• reduces the number of trees

• Destroying habitat, food source and shelter for animals species

• Forcing animals to migrate to other areas

How does climate change affect biodiversity

• loss of habitat due to melting of polar ice caps

• Loss of habitat due to rising sea

• Change is abiotic factors

• Altering the timing of life cycles, especially on species that are dependent on temperature

What are the main 3 reasons for maintains biodiversity

• ecological ( maintains health )

• Economic ( financial values)

• Aesthetic

What is a keystone species

A species that influence many other species in an ecosystem. For example beavers and wolves

What are the names of the two main ways of maintaining biodiversity

In situ

Ex situ

What does In situ conservation mean

Protecting species in their natural habitat

What does ex situ conservation mean

This involves protecting a species by removing part of the population from a threatened habitat and placing it in a new location.

What are some examples of in situ conservation

National parks and marine conservation zones

Giving legal protection to endangered species

Controlling the introduction of species that threaten local biodiversity

Protecting habitats

What are some advantaged of in situ conservation

• both habitat and species are conserved

• Larger population can be protected

• Maintains genetic diversity of species

• Less disruptive

• Chances of population recovery is greater then ex situ

What are some disadvantages of in situ conservation

• difficult to control some factors: poachers, predators and disease

• It needs large areas

• May conflict with humans in the ares

What are some examples of ex situ conservation

• seed banks

• Botanic garden

• Zoos

What are some advantages of ex situ conservation

• easier to check health of individuals that in situ conservation

• Organisms are in a controlled environment

• Can be used to reintroduce species

• Breeding can be regulated to maintain or even increase genetic diversity

What are some disadvantages of ex situ conservation

• impossible to recreate the complete natural habitat

• Expensive and hard to sustain

• Only small numbers of individuals can be cared for

• Many species can’t breed in captivity to dont adapt to their new location

• Doesn’t address the underlying problem that the species was facing

What are the 3 international agreements

• CBD

• CITES

• IUCN

What does CBD stand for

Rio Convention on Biological Diversity

What does CITES stand for

Convention on international trade in endangered species

What does IUCN stand for

International Union for the conservation of Nature

What is CBD

Develop international cooperation for strategies on:

• Use of organisms, habitats and ecosystems

• Sharing genetic resources

• Sharing of access to knowledge and tech

• Promoting ex situ conservation methods

What does CITES do

• regulating trade in selected, endangered species o their products

• Trade doesn’t endanger species or their population

• Prohibiting commercial trade in wild plants

• Basically all trade stuff

What does the IUCN do

It complies and puplished the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species which asses the conservation status of species world wide

• it supports countries to work together to protect endangered species

What is the local conservation agreement

CSS

What does CSS stand for

Countryside Stewardship Scheme

What does the CSS do

It aimed to make conservation a part of normal farming and lang management practice

-sustaining beauty and diversity

• improving wildlife habitats

• Restoring neglected land

• Improving opportunities