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Unit 1: Biodiversity in New Science 9

1. Introduction to Biodiversity

• Big Idea: Understanding how diversity contributes to species survival.

2. Case Study: Peppered Moths

• Typical Forms of Peppered Moths: Variations in coloration, primarily Carbonaria (dark form) and typical form (light).

• Observations from Data:

  • Yearly percentage changes of moth forms.

  • Population data from industrial and rural areas.

  • Notable differences in percentages due to environmental factors.

3. Biological Diversity and Survival

• Definition: Variation among individuals in a species.

• Forms of Variation:

  • Within Species: Differences in individuals of the same species (e.g., humans have different heights and eye colors).

  • Between Species: Differences among distinct species (e.g., cheetahs vs. domestic cats).

• Understanding Variation:

  • Leads to biological diversity, defined as the number and variety of organisms in an area.

4. Adaptations for Survival

• Adaptations: Traits that enhance survival in specific environments.

  • Structural Adaptations: Physical attributes (e.g., webbed feet in ducks).

  • Behavioral Adaptations: Actions that enhance survival (e.g., armadillos rolling into a ball for protection).

• Examples of Adaptations:

  • Frogs have long legs for jumping, enabling them to escape predators.

  • Giraffes have large hearts for blood circulation to their brains.

5. Ecological Roles and Niches

• Niche Definition: The role of an organism within its ecosystem.

• Types of Organisms:

  • Specialists: Organisms adapted to specific environments (narrow niche, less adaptable).

  • Generalists: Organisms that can thrive in a variety of environments (broad niche, adaptable).

• Comparison Between Specialists and Generalists:

  • Specialists are at higher extinction risk due to specific needs.

  • Generalists have an advantage during environmental changes due to their adaptability.

6. Symbiotic Relationships

• Definition of Symbiosis: Long-term interactions between different species.

• Types:

  • Mutualism: Both species benefit.

  • Commensalism: One species benefits, the other is unaffected.

  • Parasitism: One species benefits at the expense of the other.

• Example:

  • Lichen – A mutualistic relationship between fungi and algae.

7. Environmental Impact of Monoculture

• Monoculture: Cultivation of a single crop species over a wide area.

  • Palm oil plantations exemplify monoculture practices.

  • Require clearing of forests, impacting biodiversity significantly.

• Importance of Biodiversity: Enhances ecosystem resilience, supports food relationships, and mitigates effects of environmental disruptions.

8. The Role of Variation in Biodiversity

• Value of Variation:

  • Provides adaptive traits that enhance survival in changing environments.

  • Sustains greater biodiversity, which helps ecosystems better tolerate environmental changes.