3.1 Introduction to Biodiversity Flashcards
Species Richness
The number of species in a sample.
(Don’t confuse with diversity)
Species Evenness
Relative abundance of different species in a sample.
Species Diversity
a product of two variables, the number of species (richness) and their relative proportion (evenness)
“N” in Simpson Diversity Index
The total number of individuals in a sample.
As opposed to “n” which is the number of individuals of each species.
“n” in Simpson Diversity Index
The number of individuals of each species in a sample.
As opposed to “N” which is the total number of individuals in a sample.
Simpson Diversity Index
A measure to quantify the diversity of a sample, taking into account species richness and relative abundance.
Represented by “D”. Has no units (because it is merely an index)
Monoculture
A crop or plantation dominated by a single species. Usually they have a low diversity.
Genetic Diversity
The genetic variation observed between individuals in a population.
Habitat Diversity
Also called ecosystem diversity.
The variety of habitats available in a given area.
Relationship between genetic diversity and species diversity
A more genetically diverse species will show more resilience and adaptability to change, making extinction less likely.
Relationship between habitat diversity and species diversity
Two-way relationship.
A larger range of habitats will provide a larger range of niches for a larger range of specie to occupy.
A large number of species carrying out a large range of different functions and having a large range of different impacts can lead to a large range of habitats.
Biodiversity Hotspot
An area of the world with heightened biodiversity.
Biodiversity
Biodiversity is the variety of all life forms on Earth, including species diversity, genetic diversity, and ecosystem diversity.
