Biodiversity

Question 1

Definition

Answer 1

• the variety of living organisms in an area

Question 2

Levels of biodiversity

Answer 2

• genetic
• habitat
• species

Question 3

Genetic Biodiversity

Answer 3

• variety of genes that make up a species
• different alleles lead to genetic biodiversity of a species
• can lead to different characteristics being exhibited
• greater genetic biodiversity leads to better adaptation to a changing environment

Question 4

Habitat Biodiversity

Answer 4

• number of different habitats found within an area
• increase the habitat biodiversity the greater the species biodiversity within the area
• UK has large habitat biodiversity compared to Antarctica

Question 5

Species Biodiversity

Answer 5

• richness and evenness

Question 6

Species Richness

Answer 6

• number of different individual species within an area

Question 7

Species Evenness

Answer 7

• number of individuals of each species in the area

Question 8

Random Sampling

Answer 8

• selecting individuals at random / by chance
• individuals have an equal chance of being selected
• e.g random number generator

Question 9

Non - random Sampling

Answer 9

• opportunistic
• stratified
• systematic

Question 10

Opportunistic

Answer 10

• weakest form
• not representative
• conveniently available

Question 11

Stratified

Answer 11

• populations are divided into number of sub groups based on a characteristic
• random sample is taken from the sub group which is proportional the the whole population

Question 12

Systematic

Answer 12

• sampling different areas within an overall habitat
• belt transect

Question 13

Non-random sampling techniques

Answer 13

• quadrats
• belt transect
• pooters
• sweep net
• pit fall trap
• kick sampling

Question 14

Simpsons Index of Diversity

Answer 14

• closer to 1 the greater the biodiversity
• D= 1 (sum of ) (n/N) squared

Question 15

High biodiversity

Answer 15

• large number of species
• complex food web
• small effect when change occurs
• many species within the habitat
  = opposite for low biodiversity

Question 16

Calculating genetic biodiversity

Answer 16

• proportion of polymorphic gene loci = number of polymorphic gene loci / total number of loci

-greater proportion of polymorphic gene loci the greater the genetic biodiversity

Question 17

Increase in genetic biodiversity occurs by

Answer 17

• mutations
• interbreeding

Question 18

Decrease in genetic biodiversity occurs…

Answer 18

• selective breeding
• captive breeding
• natural selection
• genetic bottle necks
• founder effect
• artificial cloning

Question 19

Aesthetic reasons for maintaining biodiversity

Answer 19

• provide inspiration
• speed up recovery
• reduce stress
• protect landscapes (increase tourism)

Question 20

Economic reasons for maintaining biodiversity

Answer 20

• soil erosion and deforestation reduces the ability to grow crops
• continuous monoculture
• increased spending on fertilisers to grow crops
• extinction before medical importance is discovered
• increased tourism do to attractiveness

Question 21

Ecological reasons to maintain biodiversity

Answer 21

• organisms are interdependent on each other so removal of one can impact many species
• keystone species = large effect on environment
• maintain genetic resources

Question 22

Factors affecting biodiversity

Answer 22

• human population growth
• agriculture
• climate change

Question 23

Agriculture

Answer 23

• decreases biodiversity
  = deforestation
  = removal of hedgerow
• use of chemicals
• use of herbicides
• monoculture

Question 24

Climate Change

Answer 24

• melting of ice caps = leads to extinction
• increases of sea levels = decrease habitats
• increased temperature and rainfall
• insect life cycles prolonged = spread of disease more northwards

Question 25

Human Population growth

Answer 25

- increased rate due to improvement in medicine, hygiene, housing and infrastructure - lead to habitat loss, urbanisation, pollution

Question 26

In situ

Answer 26

- conservation that takes place within the organisms natural habitat - maintains genetic biodiversity and evolutionary adaptations to the environment - increase wildlife reserves, marine conservation - can protect a larger population - however can be hard to control certain factors e.g poaching

Question 27

Ex situ

Answer 27

- conservation of an organism out of their natural habitat - includes seed banks, zoos, botanic gardens - protect species from hunting and predation - provide the correct equipment to allow development and growth of species - however only a small number can be cared for, and may not be able to breed successfully - and is difficult to maintain genetic biodiversity

Question 28

Conservation agreements

Answer 28

- CITIES - RIO CBD - CSS

Question 29

CITIES

Answer 29

- convention on international trade in endangered species - aims to limit trade through licencing - make it illegal to kill endangered species

Question 30

RIO CBD

Answer 30

- convention on biological diversity - preservation of biological diversity - the sustainable use of its components - the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits from the use of genetic resources

Question 31

CSS

Answer 31

- countryside stewardship scheme - provides financial incentives to famers, foresters and landowners to look after and improve the environment - increase biodiversity by improving habitats

Question 32

Conservation

Answer 32

- maintaining of biodiversity through human action or management

Question 33

Why certain species must be protected by ex situ rather than in situ

Answer 33

- protect them from hunting - correct food can be given - health can be monitored - breeding can be manipulated - competition is reduced