Biodiversity

Question 1

Define biodiversity

Answer 1

The variety of living organisms in an area

Question 2

Define species

Answer 2

A group of similar organisms able to reproduce to give fertile offspring

Question 3

Define habitat

Answer 3

The area inhabited by a species. Including physical factors eg soil and temperature or biotic factors eg food availability or predators

Question 4

Define habitat diversity

Answer 4

The number of different habitats in an area

Question 5

Define species diversity

Answer 5

The number of different species and the abundance of each in an area

Question 6

Define species diversity

Answer 6

The number of different species and the abundance of each in an area

Question 7

Define genetic diversity

Answer 7

The variation of alleles within a species

Question 8

What is the process of sampling

Answer 8

1) Choose and area to sample
2) Count the number of individuals of each species
3) Repeat the process as many times needed
4) Use the results to estimate the total number of individuals or different species

Question 9

How to complete random sampling

Answer 9

Use a random number generator to select coordinates along a tape measure

Question 10

What are the three types of non random sampling

Answer 10

Systematic
Opportunistic
Stratified

Question 11

What is systematic sampling

Answer 11

Samples are taken at fixed intervals along a line such a quadrats

Question 12

What is opportunistic sampling

Answer 12

Samples are chosen by the investigator. It is simple but often biased

Question 13

What is opportunistic sampling

Answer 13

Samples are chosen by the investigator. It is simple but often biased

Question 14

What is stratified sampling

Answer 14

Different areas in a habitat are identified and sampled separately in proportion to their part of the habitat as a whole.

Question 15

What is species richness

Answer 15

The number of different species in an area. The higher the number of species the greater the species richness.

Question 16

How is species richness measured

Answer 16

By taking random samples of a habitat and counting the number of different species

Question 17

What is species evenness

Answer 17

A measure of the relative abundance of each species in an area. The more similar the population size of each species, the greater the species evenness.

Question 18

How is species evenness measured

Answer 18

By taking random samples of a habitat, and counting the number of individuals of each species

Question 19

How is diversity measured

Answer 19

Simpson’s Index of Diversity

Question 20

How to calculate Simpson’s Index of Diversity

Answer 20

D = 1 - (sum of (n/N) ^2)

Where:
n = total number of individuals of one species
N = Total number of organisms of all species

Question 21

What is Polymorphism

Answer 21

A locus that has two or more alleles

Question 22

How can you measure genetic diversity

Answer 22

Calculating the proportion of polymorphic gene loci. This can be done by:

number of polymorphic gene loci / total number of loci

Question 23

What factors affect global biodiversity

Answer 23

Human population growth, increased use of monoculture in Agriculture, climate change

Question 24

What factors does human population growth involve

Answer 24

Habitat loss - human development

Over-explotation - greater demand for resources so are used up before being replenished

Urbanization - isolate species due to major developments and lead to inbreeding

Pollution - destroy habitats or kill species

Question 25

Why is the increased use of monoculture in agriculture damaging to biodiversity

Answer 25

Habitats are lost for land Local and naturally occuring plants and animals are seen as weeds and pests so are destroyed Heritage (traditional) varieties of crops are lost because they don't make enough money and so are not planted any more, reducing species diversity

Question 26

How does climate change affect biodiversity

Answer 26

Most species need a particular climate to survive A change means an area that was previously inhabitable becomes uninhabitable and vice versa. Forcing changes in species levels and some species may be forced to migrate. This then changes species distribution and decrease biodiversity.

Question 27

Why does biodiversity need to be maintained

Answer 27

To protect species including keystone species To maintain genetic resources To reduce soil depletion Aesthetically pleasing

Question 28

How can protecting species including keystone species help to maintain biodiversity

Answer 28

Stops: Disruption of food chains Disruption of nutrient cycles

Question 29

What are keystone species

Answer 29

Species in an ecosystem depend and without which the ecosystem would change dramatically

Question 30

Why does genetic resources need to maintained for biodiversity

Answer 30

They provide us with everyday products such as food and drink, clothing, drugs and fuels. And are very important to the global economy. Allow us to adapt to changes in the environment. This is such as having a drought-resistant crop.

Question 31

What are genetic resources

Answer 31

Any plant, animal or microorganism containing genes that we find valuable

Question 32

How does reduction of soil depletion help maintain biodiversity

Answer 32

The economic costs of soil depletion include increased spending on fertilizers and decreased yields

Question 33

Why should biodiversity be maintained for aesthetic reasons

Answer 33

Provide pleasant and attractive landscapes that people can enjoy There are more visitors and has economic attractions

Question 34

What is in situ conservation

Answer 34

Means on site conservation - protecting species in their natural habitat

Question 35

Methods of in situ conservation

Answer 35

Establishing protected areas such as national parks and wildlife reserves by restricting urban and industrial development and farming Controlling or preventing the introduction of species that threaten local biodiversity Protecting habitats so organisms can continue to live Promoting particular species such as protecting food sources Giving legal protection to endangered species

Question 36

What is one advantage of in situ conservation

Answer 36

Both the species and their habitat are conserved. Large populations can be protected and it's less disruptive than removing organisms from their habitats.

Question 37

What is the disadvantage of in situ conservation

Answer 37

It can be difficult to control some factors that are threatening a species.

Question 38

What is ex situ conservation

Answer 38

Off site conservation involving protecting a species by removing part of the population from a threatened habitat and placing it in a new location.

Question 39

Methods of ex situ conservation

Answer 39

Relocating an organism to a safer area Breeding organisms in captivity then reintroducing them to the wild Endangered plant species and those extinct in the wild can be grown in botanic gardens before being reintroduced to habitats. Seed banks to help store and freeze seeds in need if natural reserves are destroyed

Question 40

Advantages of ex situ conservation

Answer 40

It can be used to protect individual animals in a controlled environment Can be used to reintroduce species that have left an area

Question 41

Disadvantages of ex situ conservation

Answer 41

Only a small number of individuals can be cared for Can be difficult and expensive for the right environment Many species cannot breed successfully in captivity

Question 42

What are international cooperation examples

Answer 42

Rio Convention on Biological Diversity CITES Agreement

Question 43

An example of a local conservation agreement

Answer 43

The Country Stewardship Scheme