biodiversity

Question 1

L1 - What is the difference between biodiversity and biomass?

Answer 1

(the mass of organisms per unit area (e.g., kg m-2). If they promote biomass = detriment of biodiversity. Can have abunance without biodiversity eg monocultures

Question 2

L1 - why is biodiversity important?
direct use values

Answer 2

Direct use values

• Ecosystem goods that we can use, humans use. For example, food, pharmaceuticals, etc.

Question 3

L1 - why is biodiversity important?
indirect use values

Answer 3

Non-use values

• Option and bequest values
• Existence and intrinsic value (moral responsibility)

Probably undiscovered , argue we want decendents to have this nature, amoral argument impreretive to maintain these ecosystems

Why do we have strong opinions on this?/ on biodiversity loss

Biophilia

• Hypothesis that humans have an innate affinity with nature – hardwired into humanity, evolved with intimate connections to nature around us. Defines us as humans.
  Indirect-use value
• Ecosystem services, regulate atmosphereic systems, and use of pollunators
• Benefits provided to humans (for free) by ecosystems

The functional importance of biodiversity, evidence bio influences the function of ecosystems

• Effect of biodiversity appears to be broadly positive
• Biodiversity may enhance productivity

Experimental studies: diversity & NPP

• Presence of highly productive species matters – matters which species
• Not all species are equal, e.g., influence of

legumes (N-fixers)

Question 4

L1 - what is the impact of species removal?

Answer 4

Impact of species removal

• Likely acceleration of impacts with progressive

biodiversity loss

• Conservative strategy = maintain biodiversity

Question 5

L1 - what is the significance of biodiversity in terms of stability for ecosystems?

Answer 5

Significance of biodiversity: stability

• Redundancy: a similar species can step in
• Complementarity: strength through connectivity, richness of connections between species, dense networks have lots of

Diverse ecosystems tend to be more resistent. Recover from disturbance quicker

Question 6

GEO1023 - The Basics of Biodiversity

Flashcard 1: Definition of Biodiversity
Question: What is the definition of biodiversity according to the Convention on Biological Diversity (1992)?

Answer 6

Answer: Biodiversity is the variability among living organisms from all sources, including terrestrial, marine, and other aquatic ecosystems, as well as the ecological complexes of which they are part. It includes diversity within species, between species, and of ecosystems.

Question 7

Types of Biodiversity

Question: What are the three main levels of biodiversity?

Answer 7

Answer:

Genetic Diversity: Variation within species at the genome level, important for disease resistance and adaptation.

Species Diversity: The variety and abundance of species in an ecosystem.

Ecosystem Diversity: The variety of ecosystems within a region, promoting overall biodiversity.

Question 8

Importance of Biodiversity

Question: Why is biodiversity important? use values

Answer 8

Answer:

Direct Use Value: Provides food, pharmaceuticals, and ecosystem goods.

Indirect Use Value: Delivers ecosystem services like pollination, water purification, and climate regulation.

Non-Use Values: Includes existence value, moral responsibility, and the Biophilia hypothesis, which suggests humans have an innate affinity for nature.

Question 9

Functional Importance of Biodiversity

Question: How does biodiversity contribute to ecosystem functionality?

Answer 9

Answer: Biodiversity enhances productivity and ecosystem stability through complementarity (species working together) and redundancy (similar species substituting for each other). Experiments (e.g., Tilman et al., 1997) show that diverse ecosystems are more productive.

Question 10

Measuring Biodiversity

Question: What are the key methods to quantify biodiversity?

Answer 10

Answer:

Species Richness: A count of species in a given area; easy to measure but overly simplistic.

Shannon Diversity Index: Accounts for species evenness and abundance.

Spatial Scale: Larger areas typically exhibit higher biodiversity.

Question 11

Challenges in Biodiversity Quantification

Question: What are the challenges in quantifying biodiversity?

Answer 11

Answer:

Over-simplification and synonym issues in species counts.

Most species, especially cryptic and non-charismatic ones, remain undescribed (e.g., 86% of terrestrial and 91% of marine species are yet to be discovered; Mora et al., 2011).

Question 12

The Biodiversity Crisis

Question: What is the biodiversity crisis, and what drives it?

Answer 12

Answer:

The biodiversity crisis refers to the accelerated loss of species due to human activities.

Major drivers include habitat destruction, climate change, pollution, and overexploitation of resources (WWF, 2024).

Question 13

Conservation Successes

Question: What examples highlight successful conservation efforts?

Answer 13

Answer: Resilient and recovering populations in protected areas demonstrate the effectiveness of targeted conservation actions, like the recovery of Florida mangroves through restoration initiatives.

Question 14

Biomass vs. Biodiversity

Question: What is the difference between biomass and biodiversity?

Answer 14

Answer: Biomass measures the mass of organisms per unit area, whereas biodiversity focuses on the variety of life forms. High biomass (e.g., monocultures) does not necessarily indicate high biodiversity.

Question 15

Future of Biodiversity

Question: Why is an interdisciplinary approach crucial for biodiversity conservation?

Answer 15

Answer: Biodiversity issues are complex and require integration of ecological, social, and economic knowledge to address global challenges effectively and adapt to new findings.

Question 16

Why Biodiversity Matters

Question: What did Edward O. Wilson say about the importance of biodiversity?

Answer 16

Answer: “Biodiversity is the key to the maintenance of the world as we know it. It holds the world steady and has created the environment that created us.” (Source: The Diversity of Life, 1992).

Question 17

Biophilia

Question: What is the Biophilia hypothesis?

Answer 17

Answer: Biophilia is the hypothesis that humans have an innate affinity with nature, defined by E.O. Wilson as “the urge to affiliate with other forms of life.” It is thought to be rooted in biological necessity for survival (The Biophilia Hypothesis, 1993).

Question 18

Human Impact and Responsibility

Question: What does E.O. Wilson propose in his book Half-Earth?

Answer 18

Answer: Wilson suggests dedicating half of the planet’s surface to nature to save the immensity of life-forms that compose it, emphasizing the unique combination of human instinct and social genius as both a threat and potential solution.

Question 19

Romanticism and Nature

Question: How did Romanticism influence the perception of biodiversity?

Answer 19

Answer: During the late 18th century, Romanticism rejected industrialism and embraced nature as a source of all value, inspiring a deeper appreciation for biodiversity and its intrinsic worth.

Question 20

Nature Deficit Disorder

Question: What is Nature Deficit Disorder, and who introduced the concept?

Answer 20

Answer: Richard Louv introduced Nature Deficit Disorder in his book Last Child in the Woods (2005), describing it as the diminished use of senses, attention difficulties, and increased physical and emotional illness due to a disconnection from nature.

Question 21

Solastalgia

Question: What is solastalgia?

Answer 21

Answer: Coined by Glenn Albrecht, solastalgia refers to the grief caused by environmental change, described as “the homesickness you have when you are still located within your home environment.” (Earth Emotions, 2019).

Question 22

Indigenous Knowledge and Biodiversity

Question: How does Indigenous knowledge contribute to biodiversity understanding?

Answer 22

Answer: Indigenous communities, like the Comcaac of Mexico, have detailed knowledge of species, such as discriminating among 48 types of stingless bees and identifying their ecological niches, providing insights that Western science often overlooks (Jessen et al., 2022).

Question 23

Human Well-being and Biodiversity Loss

Question: How does biodiversity loss impact human well-being?

Answer 23

Answer: Biodiversity loss leads to diminished ecosystem services, causing issues like reduced food security, increased disease risks, and a sense of disconnection from nature, affecting physical and mental health (Last Child in the Woods, 2005).

Question 24

Cultural Perception of Biodiversity

Question: How do culture and location shape our perception of biodiversity?

Answer 24

Answer: Cultural values and geographical location influence what we see and value in nature. Indigenous knowledge systems often provide unique insights into biodiversity not captured by Western perspectives (Wilder et al., 2016).

Question 25

HIPPO Classification

Question: What is E.O. Wilson’s HIPPO classification of threats to biodiversity?

Answer 25

Answer: HIPPO stands for:

Habitat alteration

Invasive species

Pollution

Population growth

Over-exploitation (The Future of Life, 2002).

Question 26

Current Biodiversity Crisis

Question: Are we experiencing a sixth mass extinction?

Answer 26

Answer: While the current rate of biodiversity loss is alarming, it has not yet reached the threshold of a mass extinction, which requires a >70% decrease in global biodiversity. However, extinction rates are significantly higher than the background rate (De Vos et al., 2014).

Question 27

Island Biodiversity

Question: Why are islands important in biodiversity studies?

Answer 27

Answer: Islands comprise only 5.3% of Earth’s land but account for an estimated 75% of all known extinctions of birds, mammals, amphibians, and reptiles (Science, 19.09.24).

Question 28

Flagship Species

Question: What are flagship species and why are they important?

Answer 28

Answer: Flagship species capture public imagination and encourage conservation support or funding. For example, the reintroduction of wolves in Yellowstone National Park demonstrated ecological recovery by restoring balance (Beschta & Ripple, 2016).

Question 29

Conservation Approaches

Question: What are the main conservation approaches over time? 60s to now

Answer 29

Answer:

Pre-1960s: “Nature for itself” - Focus on wilderness and intact habitats.

1970s-80s: “Nature despite people” - Addressing human impacts like pollution.

1990s: “Nature for people” - Emphasizing ecosystem services and commodification.

Now: “People and nature” - Integrating cultural factors and sustainability (Mace, 2014).

Question 30

Biodiversity Hotspots

Question: What defines a biodiversity hotspot?

Answer 30

Answer: According to Myers et al. (2000), a hotspot must:

Contain at least 0.5% or 1,500 species of vascular plants as endemics.

Have lost at least 70% of its primary vegetation.

Question 31

Wildlife Reserves

Question: What is the SLOSS debate in wildlife reserves?

Answer 31

Answer: The SLOSS debate discusses whether Single Large Or Several Small reserves are better for conservation. Connectivity and scale are critical to maintaining genetic diversity and ecological resilience (Diamond, 1975).

Question 32

Rewilding

Question: What is rewilding, and why is it controversial?

Answer 32

Answer: Rewilding involves restoring pre-human ecological processes. Successful examples include projects in the Knepp Estate (UK) and Glenfeshie (Scotland). However, rewilding is debated for its feasibility and impacts on local communities (Guardian, 10.10.24).

Question 33

Conservation Measurement

Question: How is success in conservation measured?

Answer 33

Answer:

Area of habitat protected.

Number of species saved.

Reduction in human impacts (e.g., pollution).

Ecosystem service benefits and cultural value (Adams, 2014).

Question 34

Key Takeaways

Question: What are the conclusions on responding to the biodiversity crisis?

Answer 34

Answer:

Anthropogenic activities are the primary drivers of biodiversity loss.

Effective conservation depends on assessments of biological and ecological value.

Collaborative and adaptive approaches are essential for enhancing biodiversity (Johnson et al., 2017).