B6.1 - Monitering And Maintaining The Environment Flashcards
What is a sample
Taking observations or measurements from a small area which is representative of a larger area
Pooters
Suck on mouthpiece to draw insects into holding chamber where a filter stop organisms from entering mouth
Sweep nets
Sweep large net in air to catch flying insects or in long grass
Kick sampling
Kicking a river bank or bed to disturb mud and vegetation. Hold a net downstream to capture any organisms released into flowing water
Tree beating
Stretch a large white cloth under tree and shake to dislodge any invertebrates that will fall onto cloth
Pitfall traps
Dig a hole in the ground where crawling invertebrates will fall into. Cover the hole with a roof so trap does not fill with rain water
What are identification keys
Asking a series of questions about organisms characteristics
Branched key
Aka. Spider key
Answering yes and no questions to determine the organism
Numbered key
Aka. Dichotomous key
The correct answer to the q will tell what question you go to next
What is capture-recapture method
Estimâtes a population from a small sample
How does capture-recapture work
- Capture organisms from sample area
- Mark individual organisms and release back into community
- Recapture organisms in original sample area
- Record no. of marked and unmarked individuals
- Estimate population size
Capture-recapture equation
Estimated pop size = first sample size * second sample size / number of recaptured marked individuals
How to sample plants
Use the quadrant as square frame in a grid. Place on ground to take sample of how many organisms in each section
Random sampling
Individuals that are selected by chance
- random number generator to determine coordinates otherwise would create BIAS and be tempted to choose one that looks more interesting
Non-random sampling
Studies how the distribution of organisms vary over a distance as a direct comparison- transect
- how plant species change as you move inland from sea.
Why is biodiversity important
If not, would lead to loss of another’s species food or shelter as they are essential for maintaining a balanced ecosystem
What do humans use biodiversity for
Food, wood (building materials), medicine, oil sources and fuel
Deforestation
Removing large areas of forest provides wood, shelter, fuel, infrastructure
BUT - reduces number of trees that support animal species as homes are lost and then affects predator species
Agriculture
- removing hedgerows to use large machinery but kills bats, hedgehogs and mice
- use of pesticides removes other species in the food chain
- they can also accumulate in the food chain, killing animals that are not targeted
- use of herbicides will reduce plant species but also its animal species as it uses it for food or shelter
Hunting and overfishing
- decreases marine species
- hunting decreases species that may have kept plants control. And now results in unchecked plant growth and outcompete other plant species
Pollution
- more polluted an area is, the less species can survive through eutrophication
What is eutrophication
- when fertilisers run into lake and contaminate, causes algal bloom
- these photosynthesis on surface and plants at bottom do not, and start to die
- their decomposition through microorganisms respiration of decay causes less oxygen levels and more Co2
- decrease in O2 levels, result in killing animals and species in that habitat
What is extinction
When no individuals of that species is left on Earth
What is conservation
Conservation is protecting a natural environment so that the habitat is not lost through:
- control grazing allowing plant species to recover
- restricting human access with paths to not destroy other
- feeding animals allowing to reproduce
- reintroducing species to increase numbers
