Biodiversity Flashcards
Define Biodiversity
It is the number of known specie in a habitat
It is also the variety of allele within a population
It can be measured by looking at genetic diversity between individuals of one specie and between species
Define specie richness
The number of different species in an area
Define relative specie abundance
The relative number of species in an area
Define Endemic specie
Is a specie that is only found in one place and evolved due to geographical location
Define biodiversity hotspot
An area with a particulary high level of biodiversity
Why they have rich biodiversity
- stable ecosystem allows many complex relationships to develop between species
- high levels of productivity (when photosynthesis rates are very high) can support more niches
- when organism can grow and reproduce rapidly, it is more likely that mutation occur, leading to adaptions which allow organism to exploit more niche
Diversity index formula
D= N(N-1)/ sum( n(n-1) )
D= diversity index N= the total number of organism of all species n = the total number of organism of each individual species - the abundance of different species
Sum - n(n-1)
Heterozygosity index formula
Heterozygosity index = number of heterozygotes / number of individual in the population
What does high heterozygosity index mean
- the higher the heterozygosity index the higher the diversity i.e. there is hgiher variety of alleles in the population
More variation in a population means they are more likely to survive environmental change
Define allele frequency
The frequency with which a particular allele appears within a population
Define population
A breeding group of individuals of the same species occupying a particular habitat and a particular niche
Define gene pool
The sum total of all the genes in a population at a given time
Define selection pressure
The effect of one or mroe environmental factors that determines whetehr an organism will be more or less successful at surviving and reproducing: selection pressure drives speciation
Gene and allele frequency
Mutation can increase the gene pool of a population by increasing the number of different allele available
If a mutation results in an advantageous feature , the allele will be selected for and so increase in frequency in the population
If the mutation is disadvantageous, natural selection will sometime result in its removal from the gene pool
The changes in allele frequency due to natural selection may lead to new species emerging
Define anatomical adaption
Involve form and structure of an organism
Define physiological adaptation
Adaptation involving the way the body of the organism works, including differences in biochemical pathways or enzyme
Define behavioural adapatation
Adaptation involving programmed or instinctive behaviour making organism better adapted for survival
Hardy - weinberg equation
P^2 + 2Pq+ Q^2 = 1
P+q = 1
Condition of the hardy - weinberg equilibrium
- there are no mutation
- there is random mating
- the population is large
- the population is isolated
- there is no selection pressure
Why is biodiversity important ?
Interdependent - rich biodiversity allows large - scale ecosystems to function and self regulate, but it also means that large- scale ecosystem are interlinked, so if biodiversity decreases in one ecosystem, the natural balance may be destroyed in another ecosystem
Purification - biodiversity means the ecosystem will have many type of plants and decomposer. Plants clean the air and water by in-taking CO2 for photosynthesis, and decomposers breakdown dead matter and make it non-toxic in order to clean the environment
Rainwater and natural disaster -plants absorb a lot of water from the soil and then release it into the environment through the transpiration stream by evaporation, which produces cloud which produces rain elsewhere. Plants root also hold the soil togther , which affects how water run off or is absorbed by the soil, which reduces the risk of flooding
Genetic diversity- this allows us to cross-breed and cross-pollinate plants as well as genetically engineer them to produce improved version of specie. Plant biodiversity also provide the potential of plants to produce chemical which are important in improving the excellence of life
Process of natural selection (MRSA)
- random mutation rise to new allele
- due to selection pressurefrom the environment individual with beneficial allele are more likely to survive and reproduce and pass on their advantageous allele
- the process repeats over many generation
- the frequency of advantagneuous allele therefore increase in the population
In situ
Conserving a specie in its natural environment
- control of specie introduction
- protecting habitats
- restoring damaged areas
- promoting particular species
- legal protection
protected areas
Advantages
Conserve the specie and the habitat
Less disruptive
Greater chance of a population recovering
Disadvantages
Can be difficult to control
Exists
Conserving a speice outside its natural environment
- relocating
- breeding
- Botanic Gardens
- seed banks
Advantages
Controlled environment
Reintroduction species
Small number
Difficult
Expensive
Less successful
Explain the term endanger specie
Why is the loss of biodiversity a concern
Loss of organism
Removal of pollinators
Damage to food chain
Suggest why they are endangered
Habitat destruction Hunting Poaching Pollution Disease
Illegal to kill rhino
Ban on trade
Increased cooperation
Education
Permits issued
