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Biodiversity Flashcards

1
Q

Define biodiversity

A

Variability of organisms from all sources including terrestrial marine and other aquatic ecosystems and their ecological interactions with the environment

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2
Q

3 types of biodiversity?

A
  • genetic diversity
  • species diversity
  • ecosystem diversity
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3
Q

what is genetic diversity

A

the basic component of biological diversity which exists both within and among species

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4
Q

what diversity is the basis for evolution

A

genetic evolution

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5
Q

what is species diversity?

A

the variably that can be recognized among different species (includes the no. of species and their abundance)

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6
Q

what is ecosystem diversity?

A

the variety of habitats, living communities and ecological processes in the living world

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7
Q

what is the largest scale of biodiversity?

A

ecosystem diversity

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8
Q

define biological resources

A

genes, species and ecosystems of direct indirect, or potential to be used by humanity

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9
Q

what are non-commercial goods?

A

the biodiversity products can be harvested and consumed directly without passing through a formal market

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10
Q

give examples for non-commercial goods

A

fruits, fish, edible roots, leaves, nuts, flowers, meat, animal products like milk and honey, timber, firewood, fiber, woo; wax, timber, firewood, fibers, wood, wax, resin, rubber silk, decorative items, and traditional medicines

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11
Q

what are commercial goods?

A

products that are harvested and available through a formal market

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12
Q

give examples for commercial goods

A

food, textile, leather, silk, paper and pulp

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13
Q

what are the services provided by the environment?

A

air and water purification

erosion prevention

flood control

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14
Q

what are the values of biodiversity?

A
  1. environmental service value
  2. recreational value
  3. ethical value
  4. educational/scientific value
  5. social/cultural/religious values
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15
Q

explain environmental service value

A
  • CO2 fixation through photosynthesis
  • maintaining essential nutrition cycles
  • maintaining water cycle and recharging ground water
  • soil formation and protection from erosion
  • regulating climate by recycling moisture into atmosphere
  • water purification
  • pollination
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16
Q

explain recreational value of environment

A
  1. due to aesthetic value of biodiversity, natural landscapes at undisturbed places are a delight to watch
  2. provide opportunities for recreational activities and hobbies such as bird watching and photography

3.Provides inspiration in artistic activities like poetry, painting and dance

  1. promotes eco-tourism
  2. helps generate revenue by designing zoological and botanical gardens and national parks
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17
Q

explain ethical values of environment

A

this is the right of all living being to live on this planet, humans have no right to decide which species should exist

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18
Q

explain educational/scientific value of environment

A

helps in new scientific discoveries and technological innovations to find solutions to problems we face today

ex:
- learning about other animals like nematodes, rats and primates has helped in understanding human body and medicine development

  • knowledge about how animals react before a natural disaster is helpful in disaster management
  • interacting w biodiversity helps develop creativity, relieving stress and developing personality
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19
Q

explain social/cultural/religious values of environment

A
  • some wetland sites are sacred to aborigines of Australia
  • 28 tree species are sacred to Buddhists
  • Bulls are important to Hindu culture
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20
Q

what are the threats to biodiversity

A
  1. Habitat loss/ fragmentation
  2. Overexploitation
  3. Pollution
  4. Introduction of invasive alien species
  5. Climate change
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21
Q

Define biodiversity hot spots

A

areas with high concentrations of endemic species facing exceptional levels of threat

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22
Q

what places in south asia are considered biodiversity hot spots?

A
  • Western Ghats of India
  • Sri Lanka (wet zone)
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23
Q

what is extinction?

A

elimination of the last member of a species from earth

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24
Q

how many species will face extinction in the next 30 years?

A

5-10% of species

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25
What's the Red Data Book?
It's published by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) to provide a list of threated species.
26
Give examples for extinct species
Dodo Wooly Mammoth Legume (Crudia zeylanica)
27
Define extinct in the wild?
A taxon is extinct in the wild when its known only to survive in cultivation, captivity or as a naturalized population well outside its natural habitat
28
What are the levels of threat?
- Critically endangered - Endangered - Vulnerable
29
What is critically endangered (CR)?
A taxon is critically endangered when the best available evidence indicates an extremely high risk of extinction
30
Give ex. to animals which are CR
- Marbled tree frog - Maha Madu
31
What is endangered (EN)?
A taxon is endangered when the best available evidence indicates that it is facing a very high risk of extinction
32
Give examples for animals which are EN
- Etha/Aliya/ Elephant - Wesak Orchid
33
What is vulnerable (VU)?
A taxon is vulnerable when the best available evidence indicates that it is facing a high risk of extinction in the wild
34
Give examples for animals which are VU
- Punchi lena/ dusky-striped jungle squirrel - Buttercup
35
What are endemic species?
A species that is confined to a particular area of country, and not found naturally anywhere else in the world
36
Give examples for endemic plant species in SL
Dipterocarpus zeylanicus (Hora) Garcinia quaesita (Goraka)
37
Give examples for endemic animal species in SL
Puntius nigrofasciatus (Black ruby barb) Loris tardigradus (Slender loris)
38
Define indigenous species
A plant/animal species that occurs in its historically known natural range and that forms a part of the natural biological diversity of a particular geographical area
39
Give ex. of indigenous species in SL
- Lula/snake head - Kithul
40
Define exotic(alien) species
A species that has been introduced from another geographic region to an area outside its natural range due to human activities
41
Give examples to alien species
Tilapia for inland fishery industry Rubber for plantation industry
42
Define migratory species
Migration is the act of moving from one place to another in a manner that is seasonally determined and predictable
43
Why do animals migrate?
To avoid unfavorable environmental conditions that limit breeding
44
What are some migratory species in SL?
- Indian fly catcher - Indian pitta
45
Define relict species
The remnants of a once widespread species, which are now found in a very restricted or isolated area because these species are lost in many parts of the world
46
give ex. for relict species
- tuatara in New Zealand - Ichthyophis - Lingula in Trincomalee
47
define flagship species
is a species chosen as a symbol/icon to represent an ecosystem in need for conservation
48
how are flagship species selected?
- vulnerability - attractiveness - distinctiveness
49
Give examples for flagship species
bengal tiger of india giant panda of china blue magpie of sri lanka
50
define keystone species
species that play an important role in the stability and functioning of a system
51
give examples for keystone species
planktons of a pond
52
define invasive species
invasive alien species are alien/exotic organisms whose introduction and spread outside their natural geographic range and threaten native biodiversity
53
give ex. for invasive species
Lantana / Lantana camara Guinea grass / Panicum maximum Giant African Land snail in sri lanka Water Hyacinth
54
What's the principal goal of conservation
To ensure the long term survival of as many species as possible
55
What are the 2 types of conservation?
In-situ Ex-situ
56
What's in-situ conservation
The species is protected and its reproduction is facilitated in its natural habitat
57
What are the principals used in in-situ conservation?
- a large enough population - adequate, appropriate habitat space
58
Give ex. for in-situ conservation
National parks like Yala and Minneriya Forest reserves like Kanneliya and Piduruthalagala
59
What's ex-situ conservation?
The species is taken out its natural habitats and looked after in places where its survival and reproduction is ensured
60
What places play a key role in ex-situ conservation?
Zoological and botanical gardens

Environmental Biology (3 decks)

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