11.1 Biodiversity Flashcards
Define the term biodiversity
The variety of living organisms present in an area
It can include plants, animals, fungi and other living things
What is the importance of biodiversity
It is essential in maintaining a balanced ecosystem for all organisms
Balanced ecosystem provide us with food, oxygen and other materials we need to survive
What regions have the most and least biodiversity
Tropical moist region have the most biodiverity
Climate with warm summers and cold winters have less biodiverity
Very cold areas or very dry areas have least biodiversity
What does measuring biodiversity do
Plays important role in conservation and informs scientists of the species that are present so provides
- baseline for biodiverity in area
- effects of human activity can be seen
- effects of disease and climate change can be seen
What assement is taken before a major project like building new road is undertaken
An environmental impact assessment which predicts the positive and negative effects of a project on the biodiversity in that area
What ways can biodiversity be studied
Habitat biodiversity
Species biodiversity
Genetic biodiversity
What is habitat biodiversity
It refers to the number of different habitats found within an area.
The greater the habitat biodiversity the greater the species biodiversity will be within that area
Species biodiversity has two components what are they
Species richness - number of different species living in a area
Species evenness - comparison of the number of individuals of each species living in a community
What is genetic biodiversity
It refers to the variety of genes that make up a species
Many genes are the same for all individuals within a species but many genes have different alleles exist leading to genetic biodiversity
What does a greater genetic biodiversity allow
It allows for better adaptation to a changing environment and is more likely to result in individuals who are resistant to disease
