Biodiversity Flashcards
Define ‘species’
A group of organisms that can interbreed to produce viable offspring
Define ‘population’
Group of organisms of the same species in one area at one time
Define ‘community’
A group of populations living/interacting in an area
Define ‘habitat’
The environment where a species normally lives
Define ‘ecosystem’
Interactions between abiotic and biotic factors
Define ‘biodiversity’
The variety of species in an area
Define ‘habitat biodiversity’
The range and variety of habitats in an area
Define ‘species biodiversity’
Variety of species in an area
What are biotic factors?
Living factors; competition, predation, paracyticism and mutualism
What are abiotic factors?
Non-living factors; climate, wind, humidity
Why is biodiversity so important?
Maintaining ecological, economical and ethical factors
What are some ecological factors for why biodiversity is so important?
Pollinators, habitats, disruption of food chain and nutrient cycles
What are some economical factors for why biodiversity is so important?
Medicine, food, clothing, fuels, agriculture, ecotourism, scientific research
What are some ethical factors for why biodiversity is so important?
Prevent extinction, indigenous populations, moral responsibility, aesthetic reasons
What is species richness?
Describes the number of different species present in an area (more species = richer)
What is species evenness?
Describes the relative abundance of the different species in an arear (similar abundance = more even)
What are some of the threats to biodiversity?
Pollution, loss of habitat, non-native species (trade), overexploitation, climate change
Define ‘genetic biodiversity’
The variety of genes in a species
What is sampling?
A technique used to estimate the population of individuals in an area without having to measure them all (abundance of a particular species)
What is random sampling?
A technique where individuals have equal chances of being selected; using grids and random numbers to place quadrats
What is non-random sampling?
Not chosen at random, so; opportunistic, stratified and systematic
What is opportunistic sampling?
Counting/recording organisms that you happen to see/most conveniently available