Biodiversity Flashcards
What is biodiversity
The variety and variation found in the living world
What are the three levels of biodiversity
Genetic-variety of genetic information
Species-variety of species
Ecosystem-variety of habitats ecological communities and ecological processes
Why is biodiversity important
- provides functioning ecosystems
- benefits human well-being
- delivers educational and cultural beliefs
- Benefits economy (tourism/resources)
- produces food and medicine (farming and scientific)
- vital factor in long term survival of life on earth
5 values of biodiversity
Economic- tourism, variety in crops/farm animals
Scientific- research, medicine, manipulation of genes
Cultural- spiritual beliefs and connecting to the land
Recreation- camping, fishing, relaxing in nature
Ecological life support- providing habitable ecosystems that provide ecosystem services (oxygen, clean air)
Impacts of loss of biodiversity
Reduce efficiency ecosystems acquire resources
Loss of keystone species can have significant impact on food web and the integrity of an ecosystem
Lowers ecosystem resilience
How can biodiversity decrease
- habitat loss and degradation
- invasive species
- unsustainable use and management of natural resources
- changes to the aquatic environment and water flows
- changing fire regimens
- climate change
What is a biodiversity hotspot and example
Earths most biologically rich yet threatens region
Has lost at least 70% of primary vegetation
Example- southwest Aus cape floristic region
How to protect biodiversity
National parks Laws Captive breeding programs Landcare Revegetation Feral animal control
How to measure biodiversity
Transects
Biodiversity under = number of species/total number of individuals
Abiotic factors
A no living factor within an ecosystem, such as the physical landscape or weather
Biotic factors
A living factor within an ecosystem, such as an animal or plant
What is an ecosystem
A self sustaining unit made up of a community of organisms in an area, the physical environment in which they live and the interactions between them
Keystone species
A species of relatively low abundance that has a disproportionately large influence over lower trophic levels, determining the coexistence of these species in an area
Food web
A diagram that shows how different organisms feed on each other, thereby transferring energy through an ecosystem,
Ecosystem resilience
The capacity of and ecosystem to respond to change and disturbances, yet restrain its basic functions and structure
