Biodiversity

Question 1

Definition of Biodiversity

Answer 1

Describes the variety and variability of all living organisms in an ecological area.

Question 2

Genetic Diversity

Answer 2

Variety of genes within a species, allowing species to be more genetically diverse= resistance to disease and changing conditions.

Question 3

Species Diversity

Answer 3

Variety of species within a habitat/region.

Question 4

Ecosystem Diversity

Answer 4

Variety of ecosystems in a place.

Question 5

Ecosystem

Answer 5

A community of organisms and their physical environment interacting together.

Question 6

Species Richness

Answer 6

Measures species diversity by counting the number of species in an area, each species contributing to the count.

Question 7

Interpreting species richness

Answer 7

-Can relate to the number of possible ecological niches available in an area.

-Can also be compared to the geographical isolation of a habitat.

Question 8

Species Evenness

Answer 8

The number of individuals of a species in the sampled area- in relation to the total number of individuals of all species in the area.

Question 9

Calculating species richness

Answer 9

-Individual population count
-Percentage cover
-Lincoln Index

Question 10

Simpsons diversity index

Answer 10

Measures the biodiversity of a community.
Takes into account richness and evenness.

Question 11

Higher index value

Answer 11

means greater biodiversity in community

Question 12

Formula for Simpson diversity index

Answer 12

DI=N(N-1)/ n(n-1)

Question 13

Simpsons Diversity Index :
High index value ?

Answer 13

Stable site with different niches and low competition (high richness and evenness )

Question 14

Simpsons Diversity Index:
Low index value?

Answer 14

Site with few potential niches where only a few species dominate (low richness and evenness )