Biodiversity Flashcards
what is biodiversity?
the variety of living organisms in an area
state the difference between habitat, species and genetic biodiversity
habitat- range of different habitats
species- number of species in a community
genetic- variety of alleles within a species
what are examples of habitat, species and genetic diversity?
habitat- sand dunes, woodland, meadows, streams
species- species richness and evenness
genetic- different breeds within a species
what is the difference between species richness and evenness?
richness- number of species in a habitat
evenness- relative abundance of species
what are the different types of sampling?
random
(non-random) opportunistic
stratified
systematic
what is the strength and weakness of random sampling?
s- data is not biased
w- species with low presence will be missed leading to an underestimate of biodiversity
what is the strength and weakness of opportunistic sampling?
s- easy and quick
w- data may be biased
what is the strength and weakness of stratified sampling?
s- ensures that no species is underrepresented
w-possibility it leads to overrepresentation in some areas
what is the strength and weakness of systematic sampling?
s- useful when the habitat shows a clear gradient in environmental factors
w- only species on the line within the belt can be recorded, so other species will be missed.
why is it important to sample?
its more time efficient because it takes longer to sample an entire population
how to sample using random sampling?
quadrats placed on the ground and the organisms within the grids are recorded
Once the quadrat has been laid on the chosen sample point the abundance or percentage cover of all the different species present can be recorded
how to use a line transect?
Lay out a measuring tape in a straight line across the sample area
At equal distances along the tape, record the identity of the organisms that touch the line. For example, every 2m
This produces qualitative data
how to use a belt transect?
Place quadrats at regular intervals along the tape and record the abundance or percentage cover of each species within each quadrat
This produces quantitative data
what are factors that affect biodiversity?
human population growth
agriculture
climate change
how does human population affect biodiversity?
burning of fossil fuels
building houses damages habitats
deforestation
all this reduces habitat biodiversity
how does agriculture affect biodiversity?
monoculture (farming of one specific type of crop)
not all species are adapted to certain conditions so will die
Fertilisers, kill wild/native plants also reducing genetic diversity
how does climate change affect biodiversity?
certain animals are suited for certain climates
if its too hot or too cold, species are forced to migrate,
if the change is too fast or they are unable to migrate,
it leads to extinction,
which affects species biodiversity
what are reasons to maintaining biodiversity?
ecological
economical
aesthetic
why is the ecological reason for maintaining biodiversity?
A more diverse ecosystem is better able to survive and adapt to environmental changes or threats
what is the aesthetic reason for maintaining biodiversity?
Humans find great joy and pleasure in the beauty of nature
what is the economic reason for maintaining biodiversity?
Many of the medicines used today have originated from plants, fungi and bacteria
what is the difference between ex situ and in situ conservation?
conservation carried out in the natural habitat is known as in situ conservation
conservation outside the natural habitat is known as ex situ conservation
give examples of in situ conservation
National parks and marine conservation sites
give examples of ex situ conservation
Zoos and botanic gardens
what is captive breeding?
breeding individuals of a species so their offspring can be released into the wild
what are seed banks?
a facility that conserves plant diversity by drying and storing seeds in a temperature controlled environment
what are frozen zoos?
store genetic material from animals (eggs, sperm, tissue samples etc) at very low temperatures so that they can be kept for a very long time
describe botanic gardens
conservation of plants
helps raise awareness
what did CITES say?
- aim is to control the trade of endangered species and their products
For example, elephants and their ivory tusks
what did CSS say?
provided funding (i.e. a financial incentive) to farmers and private landowners in England who used environmental management strategies to protect and increase the natural biodiversity on their land
what did CBD say?
The conservation of biological diversity by use of a variety of different conservation methods
The sustainable use of biological resources
The fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from genetic resources
