Biodiversity Flashcards
biodiversity
a measure of the variation found in the living world
habitat
where an organism lives
species
a group of organisms that can freely interbreed to produce fertile offspring
what biodiversity measures
all the different plant, animal, fungus and other microorganisms worldwide, genes they contain and ecosystems they form
habitat biodiversity
the range of habitats in which different species live
a species consists of
individual organisms that are very similar in appearance, anatomy, physiology, biochemistry and genetics that can interbreed freely to produce fertile offspring
species richness
the number of plant species
species evenness
the degree to which the species are represented
genetic biodiversity
the variation between individuals belonging to the same species- ensures we don’t all look identical
techniques for sampling plants
quadrats, quandrants, point frame, line transect, interrupted/continuous belt transect
techniques for sampling animals
observation, sweep netting, sheet under tree, pitfall trap, Tullgren funnel, light trap, Longworth trap, mark and recapture, ringing birds
simpsons index of diversity
a measure of the diversity of a habitat taking into account both species richness and evenness
calculating genetic diversity involves
calculating the proportion of loci (positions on a gene) in the population that have more than one allele
genetic diversity increases when
there is more than 2 alleles at a locus
genetic erosion
when an already limited gene pool of an endangered species diminishes even more when individuals of the population die before being able to breed with others in the population
human population growth has had effects on our environment as we…
alter ecosystems for food, destroy habitats, use more of Earths resources, pollute the atmosphere
reduced genetic diversity through agriculture means…
the species has less capacity to adapt to changing conditions through evolution, may leave isolated populations too small to survive
selective breeding causes
genetic erosion and reduces genetic diversity of the species
effect of genetic diversity due to climate change
less genetic diversity -> less able to adapt to changes –> slow migration of populations towards poles
obstructions to migration
major human developments, agricultural land, large bodies of water, mountain ranges
mass-extinction due to
human activity rather than natural climate change/disaster
current rate of extinction
100-1000 times the normal rate
climate change
significant, long-lasting changes in weather patterns
keystone species
a species that has disproportionate effect on its environment
intra-specific competition
animals within a species competing for limited resources
inter-specific competition
competition between different species for resources
parasitic relationships
where one organism lives off another organism
mutualistic relationships
when two different species work together in a way beneficial to both
conservation in situ
conserving species in their natural habitat
aims of conservation in situ
minimise human impact on natural environment, protect natural environment
advantages of in situ
permanently protects representative/significant plants/animals/ecosystems/heritage, ensures ecological integrity is maintained, facilitates scientific research, opportunities for sustainable land uses
disadvantages of in situ
may already lost much genetic diversity, conditions caused endangerment still present, act as ‘honeypot’ for poachers/ecotourists
conservation ex situ
conservation outside the normal habitat of the species
advantages of ex situ
medical assistance, increase genetic diversity by selective breeding, avoid huge effects of natural disasters on pop, more reproductive success
disadvantages of ex situ
limited genetic diversity, exposure to disease, struggle with reintroduction, loss of seed viability, behavioural abnormalities
convention on international trade in endangered species (CITES)
an international agreement between governments to ensure trade of wildlife specimens doesn’t pose threat to their survival
countryside stewardship scheme
to encourage farmers/land owners to manage parts of their land that promotes conservation
aims of CITES
monitor international trade in selected animals/plants, ensure trade doesn’t endanger survival of populations in wild, allow trade of artificially propagated plants, prohibit trade of wild plants for commercial uses, allow for legal trade of less endangered species
Rio Convention on Biological Diversity
promote sustainable development and importance of how biological diversity is about people/their need for sources of food/healthy living environ
aims of rio convention
ensure genetic resources are appropriately shared and equal sharing of benefits from these, using components sustainably, conservation of biological diversity, sharing of scientific knowledge/technologies
international cooperation of zoos, botanic gardens, seed banks
share research/genetic information, specialised breeding programmes, imported animals, reintroduction needs cooperation from origin, seed banks have partner projects worldwide
genetic diversity
the genetic variation within a population
kick sampling
net held underwater at the bottom of a stream/pond, bed is agitated by kicking to collect animals
pitfall trap
set below ground so small invertebrates fall in
why a population may have low genetic diversity
a small number of individuals or rare species
