Biodiveristy Flashcards
Why do you take samples
- impossible to count every individual
- provides an estimate
- representative of the whole area
Why take samples at two different areas
compare the two areas
- independent variable/dependant/control
- can obtain a mean
Species richness + evenness
Richness - the number of species in a habitat
Evenness - how many individuals there are of each species
What happens of there is low biodiversity
- dominate by one species
- unlikely to survive with change
- change can affect the whole habitat
How would phylogeny separate two species
1) Evolutionary relationship between species
2) basis for classification
3) e.g. of molecular evidence used to classify
4) species in the same group have the same phylogeny
5) Phylogeny between two species have to be significantly different to be placed as two separate species
What must be considered when making an area for industry
- size of development
- environment sensitivity
- potential damage to organisms
How to sample plants
- random sampling
- Quadrat
- point frame
- measure % cover
- identification key
- repeat sampling process at different times in the eyar
Advantages of ex Situ conservation
- breeding maintains gene pool
- make animals reproduce if the numbers are low
- protection from pathogens
- natural habitat destroyed
- protection from competing species
Advantages of seed banks
- low maintenance
- minimal disturbance to habitat
- less vulnerable to environmental change
- can be stored in large amounts
- remain dormant in freezing conditions for long periods of time
Why cant you sample every individual
not all , areas explored / species yet discovered
microscopic / small / nocturnal / camouflaged , species
difficult to see ;
sampling might miss rare species ;
organisms mistakenly identified as one species may
actually be two (or more) species ;
concept of species is difficult to define
Aims of CITES
regulate trade in endangered , species
ensure (international) trade does not endanger , wild
populations
prohibit (commercial) trade in wild plants ;
allow trade in , artificially propagated plants
allow (some) trade in less endangered , wild species /
organisms / animals and plants
Aims of the Rio Convention
sustainable use of , organisms / habitats / ecosystems ;
share genetic resources
share access to , scientific knowledge / technology ;
idea of promoting (named) ex situ conservation
method(s) ;
idea of raising profile of (biodiversity) with , governments /
public bodies / general public
idea of international cooperation (on biodiversity issues)
How do organic fertilisers improve the yield of crops
broken down by, decomposers / bacteria / fungi ;
add (named) mineral(s) to soil (Nitrogen)
nitrate and phosphate and potassium / NPK ;
specific use of (any) named mineral ;
lack of (named) , mineral(s) / nutrient(s) / ion(s), is
limiting factor (for growth) ;
example of way in which soil quality is improved
Suggest how the excessive use of inorganic fertilisers on farmland can cause a reduction
in its biodiversity
(fertiliser) promotes growth of, one / few, (plant)
species ;
other (plant) species , out-competed
idea of disruption of food chains ;
idea of reduction in , soil quality / humus , over time so
plants cannot grow ;
Explain why a reduction in biodiversity may present problems for agriculture in the future
loss of genetic , diversity / variation (in wild
population) ;
environment / agricultural requirements, may change
(in future) ;
(lost) genes / alleles , may have been useful ;
e.g. of gene useful to agriculture ;
fewer pollinators ;
loss of (pest) predators
