Biodiversity Flashcards
What is habitat biodiversity?
The number of different habitats in an ecosystem.
What is species biodiversity?
Examining the different species living in a habitat and measuring the species richness and species evenness. This can be measured using the Simpson’s index of diversity.
What is genetic biodiversity?
Genetic variation between individuals of the same species
What is species richness?
The number of different species in a habitat.
What is species evenness?
The number of individuals of the same species in a habitat.
What is sampling?
Selecting a small area or areas in a habitat to study.
Why is it good to take a sample instead of using the whole habitat?
It is less time consuming
What is random sampling?
Selecting areas of the habiata ti study in a random manner.
What are the 3 types of non-random sampling?
Opportuistic, stratified and systematic
What is opportunistic sampling?
Deliberate samples during data collection in order to get representive data.
What is stratified sampling?
Choosing two different areas in a habitat to sample.
What is systematic sampling?
Samples taken at fixed intervals across a habitat, e.g. transect.
What is an advantage of random sampling?
Data is not biased by selective sampling.
What is an advantage of non-random sampling?
Ensures all areas of a habitat are sampled. Can identify changes in a habitat.
What is a disadvantage of random sampling?
Rare species may be missed, leading to an underestimate of biodiversity.
What is a disadvantage of non-random sampling?
Data may be biased and some areas may be over-represented
What is a frame quadrat?
It is a metal or wooden frame in which the species richness and species eveness are measured.
What is a point quadrat?
In a point quadrat, the species touching each pin are counted. It is a horizontal bar with 10 holes and the pin can be moved across the bar.
What are transects used to measure?
The change in species across an area.
What is a line transect?
Quadrats are placed at equal intervals across the line.
What is a belt transect?
The species richness and species eveness are measured between 2 lines.
What are pitfall traps?
A pitfall trap consists of some type of cup or other container that is submerged in the soil and partially filled soil and bait. Insects and other organisms crawling about on the ground simply walk into the container and then cannot get out.
What is kick sampling?
Kick sampling collects animals that live at the bottm of a stream or pond. A net is held under the water while the streambed is agitated by kicking for several minutes.
What is sweep net sampling?
A sweep net collects animals that live in a field or long grass. The net is swept through the field to collect insects.
What is a pooter?
A glass jar used for collecting small insects etc; it has two tubes, one (protected by a gauze) which is sucked, the other up which the insect is drawn
What is genetic biodiversity?
The amount of genetic variation within a population. Usually a population with a large number of idividuals has a high genetic biodiversity.
How can you observe the level of biodiversity?
By looking at the phenotypes ( observable traits) of the population. Many differences in phenotype, e.g. fur colours, will indicate high genetic diversity.
What is genetic diversity caused by?
The number of alleles of each gene
When is a gene “polymorphic”?
When it has two or more alleles
How many alleles are there at each locus (position on the chromosome)?
2
What does heterozygous mean?
A pair of alleles where the alleles are different.
What does homozygous mean?
A pair of alleles where the alleles are the same.
How does human population growth affect biodiversity?
The increased human need for land, food and resources reduces the habitats and food sources for other species. E.g. cutting down a forest to build houses.
How does monoculture affect biodiversity?
When only one species of a plant in planted in an area at a time, there is less space for other species. E.g. planting a forest of palm trees for palm oil.
How does climate change affect biodiversity?
Increased human activity increases climate change, which affects the habitats of other species. E.g. increased flooding of low lying areas.
How does increased human activities (e.g. hunting) affect biodiversity?
Increased human activity increases the extnction rate of many species. E.g. the Japanese river otter became extinct in 2012 due to hunting and human pollution of its habitat.
What are the reasons for maintaining biodiversity?
Ecological- Protecting keystone species and mantaining genetic variation.
Economic- Services and products that plants and animals provide for us, such as maintaining nutrients in the soil, timber, fruit and honey.
Aesthetic- Protecting landscapes: enjoying th e natural beauty of the planet.
What are in situ methods of conservation?
In situ means that the plants or animals are being kept in their natural environment.
What are examples for methods of in situ conservation?
Conservation zones can be created for marine wildlife. In these areas, no fishing or hunting is allowed.
Wildlife reserves are a place terrestrial animals can live, no hunting is allowed and rangers protect the animals.
National parks are places where the plants and animals inside them are protected.
What is an advantage of in situ conservation?
Biodiversitiy in that ecosystem is protected.
What are some disadvantages of in situ conservation?
It is difficult to carry out breeding programmes and animals may not have access to medical care.
What are ex situ methods of conservation?
Ex situ means that the plants or animals are being kept outside of their natural environment.
What are some methods of ex situ conservation?
Seeds of plants can be kept in a seed bank to protect them for future generatons. Plants may be grown in botanical gardens, so that the plants can be conserved and studied.
Animals may be kept in a zoo or aquarium.
What are some advantages of ex situ conservation?
- Can carry out breeding programmes
- Prevent extinction of species
- Protection from hunting
- Animals will have access to medical care.
What are some dissadvantages of ex situ conservation?
- Does not protect the biodiversity of the original habtat
- Will lose some genetic diversity due to fewer breeding pairs
- Difficult to reintroduce species back into the wild.
What is CITES?
The Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species,1973: signed by most countries, this prevents the trade of endangered wild plants and animals and animal parts, e.g. ivory.
What is The Convention on Biological Diversity, Rio Earth Summit, 1992?
It’s signed by more than 150 countries. It is designed to promote worldwide cooperation towards sustainable development and increasing biodiversity.
What is the CSS?
The Countryside Stewardship Scheme, UK: aims to increase biodiversity across the UK.
