Biodiversity Flashcards
Define biodiversity
The variation of life forms within a given ecosystem, biome or the entire Earth.
Give an example of biodiversity
30 million species, 1.4 million species identified and more than half of those identified are insects.
Define species diversity
The number of different species.
Define ecosystem diversity
The level of interdependence between species.
Define genetic diversity
The variations within species.
What types of biomes are there?
Tropical rainforest, tropical savannah, desert, Mediterranean, grassland, temperate deciduous forest, temperate boreal forest and arctic and alpine tundra.
What influences biodiversity?
Climate, topography, endemism and human activity.
How productive are biomes?
It is possible to calculate the relative rates of organic matter production, i.e. The speed of vegetation growth.
How can you measure the rate of organic matter production?
NPP (net primary production), which is expressed as grams of dry matter per square metre per year (g/m2/yr).
Give some examples of a biome and it’s NPP
Tropical rainforest is top (2200g/m2/gr) and desert is the bottom (90g/m2/gr).
Why do tropical rain forests produce the most NPP?
There is constant high pressure, heavy rainfall and a year round growing season.
Name the location of a tropical rainforest
Brazil
Name the location of a desert
North Africa
Name the location of an alpine tundra
Canada
Define biodiversity hotspot
An area of high concentration of biodiversity combined with high levels of threat. A biodiversity hotspot is where both diversity and the threat to it’s existence is high.
Define endemic species
A species that is unique to that location.
Define alien species
Species that come from somewhere else.
How does climate influence biodiversity?
A changing climate may mean that biological organisms have to either adapt or migrate, meaning that there’s less diverse species around.
How does topography influence biodiversity?
Biological organisms may find it difficult to find a habitat, which leads to migration, meaning less diversity because species are being forced to move elsewhere.
How does endemism influence biodiversity?
If an areas endemic, then there will be more diversity creating more valuable conservation areas, as those particular biological organisms can only be found in that area.
How does human activity influence biodiversity?
Biological organisms are likely to suffer as they may not be able to adapt or the sudden human activity changes, meaning that they’ll become more endangered or even die out, meaning a much less diverse area as those in the area then will be the strongest as they’re most easily and quickly adaptable.
Define biome
A large, naturally occurring community of flora and fauna occupying a major habitat.
What does a biome consist of?
Many ecosystems, whose communities have adapted to the small differences in climate and the environment inside the biome. All living things are closely related ti their environment.
How is each biome unique?
It has its own weather and temperature patterns, plant species and animal species.
Give an example of how biome’s are unique
Certain animals and plants may be able to survive in one area, but may not be able to survive in another.
How is a biome not an ecosystem?
The flora and fauna have special adaptations that make it possible for them to exist in that area.
What could be the result of the change in a part of the environment on a biome?
Any change in one part of the environment, like an increase or decrease of a species of animal or plant, causes a ripple effect of change in other parts of the environment.
Explain clearance of agriculture as a threat to biodiversity
West Africa has lost most forests, which could be due to cash crops and subsistence farming. Southern/Eastern Amazon rainforest and the Atlantic forest has been heavily deforested. Western Europe has less than 1% of original forest left in Dartmoor, which is protected. However Boreal forest is learnedly remaining around the world in Russia and Canada.
Explain over exploitation as a threat to biodiversity
Whale hunting nearly resulted in an extinction and fish stocks are in decline. Rhinos are often hunted for their horns, but also hunted for an elephants, fish and tigers. Hotspots are often where there are wars and/or conflict because people often loose their morals and their protection declines.
Explain invasive species as a threat to biodiversity
Cane toads on Eastern Australia are poisonous to wildlife and push native species to near extinction. Also the grey squirrel is an invasive species.
Explain pollution as a threat to biodiversity
Sitarum river: Java Islands, oil spill in Amazon a in Gulf of Mexico and the Gangee river in India is very polluted due to dead bodies being burned and ashes being out in the river but also poor sewage treatment which is the major issue. Then eutrophication, whereby too much pollution is used, creating algae, blocking sunlight so agricultures affected, disrupting food chains. Indonesia is 2/3 on the Rostow Model for pollution and the River Severn is not massively cleared upon the last 20 years.
Explain climate change as a threat to biodiversity
Polar ice sheets and Amazon drought affected considerably and ecosystems are affected by change with adaptation. A 60 degree temperature rise could cause us to loose he rainforest, this then may lead to a positive feedback.
