Biodiversity

Question 1

definition: Biodiversity

Answer 1

number and variety of species in a particular area

Question 2

extreme environment

Answer 2

less biodiversity= unstable ecosystem=dominated by abiotic factors (temp, wind, soil type)

Question 3

less hostile environments

Answer 3

more biodiversity= stable ecosystem= biotic factors (disease, competition, predation)

Question 4

succession

Answer 4

-gradual change in composition of a community over time
-pioneer species -> first to colonise ( bare sand) -> survive hostile environments
Does this by (adding moisture, more stable and more nutrients)
-other species can then colonise

diversity of plant species increase

Question 5

human influence

Answer 5

human activity= less hospitable environment
(deforestation, climate change, over-fishing, pollution)

fossil record-> most species extinct
extinction=
change in climate/habitat, increased competition, new predators

extinction= natural process

Question 6

species richness and eveness

Answer 6

species richness
-number of species found in a habitat

species eveness
-measure of abundance of individuals in each species

Question 7

low species diversity

Answer 7

• few well adapted species
• simple food webs
• change in environment have serious effects

Question 8

high species diversity

Answer 8

• more stable ecosystem
• less hostile (more ecological niches)
• complex food webs
• change less damaging to the system