Biodiversity Flashcards
What is a habitat?
The place when individuals in a species live.
What is habitat biodiversity?
The range of habitats in which different species live.
Example of habitats?
Sand dunes Woodland Meadows Streams Lawns Ponds
What is a species?
A group of organisms that can freely interbreed to produce fertile off spring.
What is biodiversity?
A measure of all plant, animal, fungus and microorganism species worldwide, the genes they contain and ecosystems they form a part of.
What is species richness?
A measure of how many different species are present.
What is species evenness?
A measure of how evenly represented the species are.
What is genetic biodiversity?
The variation between individuals belonging to the same species.
Why do we have genetic biodiversity?
To ensure that individuals within a species do not look identical.
To create breeds within a species
What is a sample?
A small portion of habitat to study carefully. Then multiply to estimate the species in the whole habitat.
What are the 2 types of sampling?
Random and non-random
What are the 3 types of non-random sampling
Stratified, systematic and opportunistic
How can random sampling be carried out?
Before you visit the site you can randomly generate numbers as coordinates
What is the advantage of random sampling?
Ensures that data is not biased by selective sampling.
What are the disadvantages of random sampling?
May not cover areas of habitat equally.
Species with a low presence may be missed?
How can opportunistic sampling be carried out?
When the researcher makes sampling decisions based on prior knowledge. The researcher may pick an area they know contains a particular species.
Advantages of opportunistic sampling?
Easier and quicker than random sampling
Disadvantages of opportunistic sampling?
Data may be biased.
Researcher may purposely select areas with a large presence of large or colourful organisms.
How is stratified sampling carried out?
Dividing a habitat into areas which appear different.
Advantages of stratified sampling?
Ensures that all different areas of a habitat are sampled.
Disadvantages of stratified sampling?
This may lead to over representation of some areas in the sample
How is systematic sampling carried out?
Samples are taken at fixed intervals along a transect.
Advantages of systematic sampling?
Useful to show a correlation between species and an environmental factor. ie distance from pond
Disadvantages of systematic sampling?
Only species along the transect can be recorded. Other species may be missed.
Why is it difficult to count animals?
Larger animals may hide
Smaller animals move too quickly to count
How can you not the presence of larger animals?
Footprints Droppings Olds deposit pellets of undigested food Rabbits - burrows Deer damage of the bark
How to plan to prepare for any fieldwork?
Suitable clothing Suitable footwear Apparatus needed Clipboard, pen and paper Appropriate keys to identify plants Camera or smartphone to record specimens
Factors that affect biodiversity?
Human Population growth
Agriculture
Climate change
Extinction
What things do humans do to reduce biodiversity?
Habitat destruction
Pollute the atmosphere
Use up earths resources
What parts of agriculture decrease biodiversity?
Selective breeding
Clearing of natural vegetation
Monocultures
What is a monoculture?
A crop consisting of one strain of the species- limited genetic biodiversity
Describe selective breeding?
Farmers selecting particular traits, and breed the individuals with these characteristics and other characteristics are ignored- reduces genetic diversity of species
Term for a loss of genetic diversity?
Genetic erosion
Why is climate change a problem for species?
They are less able to adapt to new conditions.
Forced migration to climate patterns they are most suited to.
What are the obstructions for migration?
Human developments
Agricultural land
Large bodies of water
Mountain ranges
When does extinction occur?
When the last living member of a species dies and the species ceases to exist.
What is climate change?
Significant, long lasting changes in weather patterns
What is a keystone species?
One that has a disproportionate effect upon its environment relative to its abundance
What is soil depletion?
The loss of soil fertility caused by removal of minerals by continuous cropping
Ecological reason to maintain biodiversity?
Species decline will have a knock on effect to other species- food chains. Eg- insects decline, bird numbers will also
Example of keystone species?
Predators- limit herbivores to avoid overgrazing
Maple tree- has deep roots to transfer water to shallower soil
Beaver- builds dams which can flood areas and create wetland habitats
Reasons to maintain biodiversity?
Ecological
Genetic resource
Economic
Aesthetic
Why is genetic resource important?
Genetic engineering
Medicine and vaccine development
Economic reasons to maintain biodiversity?
Regulation of the atmosphere and climate Purification of water Fertilisation of soil Recycling of nutrients Recycling of waste Crop pollination Growth of timber Medicine development
What causes soil depletion?
Soils that are subjected to continuous Monocultures becoming less and less fertile. As the crop takes minerals from the soil.
Describe the aesthetic reasons to maintain biodiversity.
Natural variation is said to be important for our well being and can also link to patients recovering quicker.
Two types of conservation?
In situ and ex situ
What is in situ conservation?
Carrying out active management to conserve species in their natural habitat
What does conservation in situ involve?
Attempting to minimise the human impact on the natural environment and protecting the natural environment
Different types of in situ conservation?
Legislation
Wildlife reserves
Repopulation
Describe legislation?
Stop hunting, logging and clearing land for development or agriculture.
Why is legislation difficult?
Difficult to persuade some countries.
Describe wildlife reserves?
Designated areas established for the conservation of habitats and species.
What are the principles for choosing a wildlife reserve?
Comprehensiveness
Adequacy
Representativeness
How can wildlife reserves cause conflict?
Protected animals raid crops
People hunt protected animals for food
Illegal harvesting of timber
Tourist feeding protected animals or leaving litter
Examples of wildlife reserves in the UK?
National parks National nature reserves Sites of Special Scientific interest Local nature reserves Marine conservation zones
Advantages of in situ conservations?
Conserved in natural environment.
