4.6 BIODIVERSITY

Question 1

define

biodiversity

Answer 1

• the variety of living organisms
• measured in terms of species diversity and genetc diversity

Question 2

define

community

Answer 2

all the different species that live in one area and interact with eachother

Question 3

explain

calculating index of diversity (d)

Answer 3

d=N(N-1)/Σn(n-1)
N=total number of organism of all species
n=total number of organisms of each species

Question 4

state and explain

impact of farming on species diversity

Answer 4

decrease in species richness
* farmland is typically used for only 1 species (monoculture)
* use of pesticides/herbicides

Question 5

state and explain

impact of farming on genetic diversity

Answer 5

decreases
- farmers select for certain characteritics, which reduces number of different alleles in the population

Question 6

state

how biodiversity can increase in areas of agriculture

Answer 6

• use hedgerows instead of fences
• grow different crops in the same area, or rotate crops around after a season
• limit use of pesticides and herbicides