4.2 Biodiversity Flashcards
What is biodiversity?
The measure of the variation found within the living world.
What are the different types of biodiversity?
- Habitat biodiversity
- species biodiversity
- genetic biodiversity
What defines a species?
organisms that are very similar, who can breed together to produce fertile offspring.
What is the difference between species richness and species evenness?
Species richness: The number of species
Species evenness: The degree to which a species is represented in an area.
What ways are there to sample live organisms?
- a pooter (suck into a jar)
- pitfall trap
- a tullgren funnel (light down leaves)
- light trap
- longworth trap (metal box)
What is one way of estimating population size?
Mark and recapture
How do you measure biodiversity?
Simpsons index of biodiversity
high value indicates more diversity
What is the difference between an allele and a locus?
Allele: A version of a gene
Locus: The position of that gene on a chromosome.
How can genetic diversity be calculated?
Calculating the percentage of loci in a species that have more than one allele (heterozygous or polymorphic gene loci)
What is a keystone species?
A species which has a disproportionate affect on its environment. It would have dramatic effect on its ecosystem if it were to go extinct.
What services do ecosystems provide?
- regulation of atmosphere and climate
- purification of water
- formation of fertile soil
- recycling of nutrients
- detoxification and recycling of waste
- crop pollination
- growth of timber
- medicines
What is the difference between conservation in situ and ex situ?
In situ: Active management to maintain the biodiversity in the environment they are found
Ex situ: conserving species through activities outside its normal habitat, such as zoos.
What examples of in situ conservation is there?
-legislation
-wildlife reserves such as:National parks
National nature reservesSSSI's
Local nature reserves
`Marine conservation zones
What advantages of in situ conservation are there?
- long term protection of biodiversity
- allows for ecologically sustainable land uses
- facilitates scientific research
- removes stress of zoos and artificial habitats
what are the disadvantages of ex situ conservation?
- habitat fragmentation
- the conditions which causes the habitat or species to become endangered may still be present
- attracts poachers and ecotourists