Biodiversity Flashcards
Define biodiversity
The measure of all the different plant, animal, fungus and other microorganisms found in the world, ecosystem or habitat and the genes they contain
What is habitat biodiversity with examples
Habitat is where individuals of a species live. The range of habitats in which different species live is the habitat biodiversity. Sand dunes, woodland, meadows and streams
What is genetic biodiversity?
The variation between individuals belonging to the same species, it creates breeds between species such as in dogs and cattle
Define species, species richness and species evenness (refers to species biodiversity)
Species diversity = number of different species and the abundance of each species in an ecosystem (differences)
A species = organisms that are very similar in appearance, anatomy, physiology, biochemistry and genetics and can interbreed to produce fertile offspring
Species richness = the number of species found in a habitat
Species evenness = the relative numbers or abundance of individuals in each species
What is random sampling and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of it
Sample sites are randomly selected, using randomly generated numbers as coordinates or ones on a map
Ad: data is not biased by selective sampling
Dis: may not cover all areas of a habitat equally species with a low presence may be missed underestimate
What is opportunistic sampling and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of it
Researcher makes decisions based on prior knowledge or during process of data collection
Ad: easier and quicker than random sampling
Dis: data may be biased due to being enticed by colourful species, overestimate
What is stratified sampling and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of it
Dividing areas which appear different and sampling it separately
Ad: ensures all different areas are sampled and ensures species aren’t underrepresented
Dis: may lead to over-representation of some areas
What is systematic sampling and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of it
Taken across fixed intervals of habitat eg line transects and belt transects
Ad: useful when a habitat shows a clear gradient in some environmental factor
Dis: only species on the line or belt can be recorded, leading to missing species so underestimate
Explain the importance of sampling in measuring the biodiversity of a habitat
It is impossible to count every individual
Sample provides an estimate
Sample is representative of the whole area
What is Simpson’s index of diversity
D = 1 - Σ[(n/N)2]
How would you measure the biodiversity of plant species in grassland?
Use a quadrat Random sampling Use of a transect Quadrat placed at regular intervals Percentage cover to determine the abundance Use systematic sampling within the quadrat Use an identification key Repeat many times Sample at different seasons
How would you measure the biodiversity of invertebrates
Sweep netting
