biodiversity

Question 1

What is biodiversity

Answer 1

the variety of living organisms in an area

Question 2

what is a species

Answer 2

group of organisms able to breed to produce fertile offspring

Question 3

what is a habitat

Answer 3

area where the population of a species live

Question 4

how do we measure biodiversity

Answer 4

species, genes, habitat

Question 5

what is habitat diversity

Answer 5

a measure of how many different habitats there are in an area

Question 6

what is genetic diversity

Answer 6

a measure of how many variations there are in a genetic code, how many different alleles there are in a gene

Question 7

what is species diversity

Answer 7

how many different species there are in an area and how many individuals in these species

Question 8

what is a habitat

Answer 8

the range of physical, biological and environmental factors within which a species can survive

Question 9

what is an example of species with low species diversity

Answer 9

cheetahs have low genetic variation as they barely escaped extinction in the last ice age

Question 10

what is an example of species with high species diversity

Answer 10

Dogs and humans have high biodiversity as a result of selective breeding

Question 11

What are the two important values when measuring species diversity

Answer 11

species richness and species evenness

Question 12

what is species richness

Answer 12

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

Question 13

what is species evenness

Answer 13

measure of relative abundance of species within an area. The more similar the population size of each organism is the greater the species evenness

Question 14

why should biodiversity be measured

Answer 14

it allows comparisons to be made between different areas e.g biodiversity in the woodlands of one area compared to a similar piece of woodlands in a different area.
it allows comparisons to be made in the same area but at different times e.g comparing biodiversity of a wood in the summer and in the winter

Question 15

why do we take samples of a habitat instead of measuring all the species present

Answer 15

it would be too time consuming to count all large organisms and impossible to count all the microorganisms

Question 16

what does it mean to sample a habitat

Answer 16

measure small sections of a habitat and then multiply the numbers to find an estimate of the population

Question 17

what is random sampling

Answer 17

sample sites inside the habitats are randomly selected.

Question 18

how do you choose coordinates for random sampling

Answer 18

randomly generating them or selecting coordinates from a map.

Question 19

advantages of random sampling

Answer 19

ensures data isn’t biased by selective sampling

Question 20

disadvantages of random sampling

Answer 20

may not cover all parts of habitat and so species with a low presence will be missed leading to an underestimation of biodiversity

Question 21

what are the three types of non random sampling

Answer 21

opportunistic, stratified, systematic

Question 22

describe opportunistic sampling

Answer 22

A researcher makes sampling decisions based on prior knowledge or whilst collecting data. the researcher may choose to sample an area they know contains a particular species

Question 23

advantages of opportunistic sampling

Answer 23

it is quicker and easier than random sampling

Question 24

disadvantages of opportunistic sampling

Answer 24

presence of a large or colourful species may entice the researcher to include that species which may lead to an overestimate in species importance and therefore biodiversity.

Question 25

describe stratified sampling

Answer 25

dividing a habitat into areas that appear different and then sampling the areas separately. e.g. sampling a patch of bracken might be sampled differently to a patch of gorse

Question 26

advantages of stratified sampling

Answer 26

covers all different areas of a habitat and so ensures some species aren't under represented like in random sampling

Question 27

disadvantages of stratified sampling

Answer 27

this may lead to over-representation of some areas in the sample as small areas may be sampled more than necessary because they look different from other areas.

Question 28

describe systematic sampling

Answer 28

samples are taken at fixed intervals across the habitat.

Question 29

what two techniques do we use for systematic sampling

Answer 29

line transects and belt transects

Question 30

what are the advantages of systematic sampling

Answer 30

useful when there is a clear gradient in habitat e.g. grass getting drier further from the pond

Question 31

what are the disadvantages of systematic sampling

Answer 31

only species on the or within the belt can be recorded, this can miss other species out leading to an underestimate of biodiversity.

Question 32

what is a transect

Answer 32

a line taken across the habitat. you take a long string and stretch across the habitat then take samples along this line

Question 33

describe a line transect

Answer 33

might be used in a large habitat. record plants touching the line at set intervals,

Question 34

what is an interrupted belt transect

Answer 34

using a quadrat at set intervals on the line which provide qualitative data

Question 35

what is a continuous belt transect

Answer 35

place a quadrat beside the line and move it along the line

Question 36

two techniques of sampling invertebrates

Answer 36

using a sweep net or using a pooter to collect the animals before they fly away

Question 37

describe a pitfall trap

Answer 37

dig a whole in soil then place in a container so that its rim is around soil surface level. any small animal moving over the soil will fall in to trap. trap should contain little water or cotton so that they cant escape. when its raining trap should be sheltered so that container doesn't fill with water

Question 38

what does N mean in the equation D = 1-(Σ(n/N)2)

Answer 38

total number of organisms of all species

Question 39

what does n mean in the equation D = 1-(Σ(n/N)2)

Answer 39

total number of organisms in one species

Question 40

what does D mean in the equation D = 1-(Σ(n/N)2)

Answer 40

diversity index

Question 41

what does Σ mean in the equation D = 1-(Σ(n/N)2)

Answer 41

sum of

Question 42

how would a small change to the environment effect a biodiverse area

Answer 42

a small change to a biodiverse area would have minimum effect as the change would only effect a small portion of the entire system

Question 43

how would a small change effect a low biodiversity area

Answer 43

a small change might effect a species that dominates that area, this species could be critical to the food chain or may be shelter for other animals and so this change may be detrimental.

Question 44

when is genetic diversity found

Answer 44

when there is more than one allele for each locus, this leads to more genetic variations between alleles

Question 45

what is an allele

Answer 45

a variation of a gene

Question 46

what is a locus

Answer 46

the position of a gene on a chromosome

Question 47

what is a polymorphic gene locus

Answer 47

more than two alleles per locus

Question 48

what is Simpson's index of diversity

Answer 48

used to measure the biodiversity of a habitat

Question 49

what are some examples of interdependence

Answer 49

predation, mutualism, parasitism

Question 50

what do legislations do

Answer 50

stop activities which cause loss of biodiversity however its difficult to enforce

Question 51

what do wildlife reserves do

Answer 51

set aside a part of land for species or habitat however population may have already lost its biodiversity and conditions leading to biodiversity may still be present

Question 52

repopulation/reintroduction

Answer 52

good for rebuilding populations when biodiversity has been lost however habitat may be damaged and have no fear of humans or primal instincts

Question 53

what do CITES do

Answer 53

regulate international trade of selected species and plants. ensures trading doesnt endanger survival of populations in the wild. ensure trade in wild plants for commercial uses are prohibtited

Question 54

what does rio convention do

Answer 54

conservation of biological diversity. sustainable use of its components. appropriate shared access to its genetic resources

Question 55

what is the countryside stewardship scheme

Answer 55

improve beauty and diversity of the countryside. enhance, restore and recreate targeted landscapes. improve opportunities for public access.