Biodiversity introduction

Question 1

What des biodiversity mean?

Answer 1

The vareity and number of species within an ecosystem.

–> Depending on which ecosystem, the biodiversity of the area differs. (Ie: Canada’s biodiversity is different from Asia’s biodiversity.

It is a broad term that encompasses other types of diversities, while having different levels (there are different levels of biodiversity)

Question 2

What does biodiversity include? (like what other types of diversities does it include?)

Answer 2

Structural diversity, the different shapes and sizes of ecosystems (which leads to different ecological niches [the relationship of a species with all their biotic and abiotic factors, how an organism interacts with the environment, inturn ther “role” in the environment)

Indivdual varaibilitity, the genetic variability among organismsm of the same specieis, how all sexually reproducing specieies inherit unique geneitc combinations, making their behaviours, and niches different from those around them)

These diversities create higher biodiversitity, higher biodiversity is less competetion.

Question 3

What is a species?

Answer 3

Group of organisisms that are able to freely breed and produce viable offspring under natural conditions

(If this defintion does not apply, for example asexual reproducing organisms) We can look at the morphology (physical characteristics) of an organisms

correlation to biodiversity: different species = more biodiversity.

Question 4

Species interact with each other? Why?

Answer 4

All species evolve over time and space, and all species depend on other species in different ways to survive

(ie: humans and animals interact for food)

The more biodiversity an ecosystem has, the more organismsm = larger population of specieies = more interactions.

Question 5

6 examples/categories of species interactions?

Answer 5

1) food supply, species interact to gain food or be food for another species
2) Protection (Shelter, ie ant and tree)
3) Transportation (Mites/fleas on dogs)
4) Reproduction: Species may depend on other species for their OWN reproductive sucess (not to reproduce with another species) (ie tree cavities provide an area for nests)
5) Hygine: (Species maintain health of another species, sharks and bacteria)
6) Digestion (Ecoli in the digestive tract)

Question 6

How does biodiversity connect to specieies, structural diversity, indivdual variabiltiy?

Answer 6

More structural diversity = more biodiversity = more niches = more diversity of specicies = more genetic diversity

Question 7

There are many different types of interactions, which ones do not encompass symbiosisis?

Answer 7

Competetion (-/-), predation (+/-), herbivory (+/-), faciliation (+/+) or (0/+)

Question 8

What is symbiosis?

Answer 8

Indivduals of two or more specieies that live in close contact with each other.

Close refers to
how intimately connected the lives of the two species are and how persistent or regular their interaction is. (Not just proximity)

• A tapeworm inside its host’s intestines is “close” because it physically lives within the host.
• Pollinators like bees and flowers are “close” because bees regularly visit flowers for food, even though they may travel far away in between visits.

Question 9

What are the types of specieies interactions that symbiosis includes?

Answer 9

Parasitism (+/-), Mutualism (+/+), commensalism (+/0)

Question 10

What is competetion (-/-)

Answer 10

Two or more specieies compete for a resource that is in short supply, the act of competeting is a net loss for everyone (by competeting you are wasting energy and potentially getting hurt)

-No dependency on each other
-Random interaction

Question 11

What is predation? (+/-)

Answer 11

One species, the predator, kills and eats the other the pray.

The predator gains (positive interaction) as they get food.

The pray looses (negative interaction), they die

The interaction is not long-term; it ends as soon as the prey is consumed.

The predator and prey do not live together or depend on each other for survival.

Question 12

What is Herbivory?

Answer 12

(+/-) Same thing is predation however, involves a organismsm eating the plant. (Organism benefits, plant does not)

Question 13

What is mutalisim?

Answer 13

Mutualism (Win-Win)
Definition: Both species benefit from the interaction.

Why it’s symbiosis:
The relationship is long-term and involves close interaction where both species gain something essential.
Continiously interacting with each other for sucess.

Question 14

What is commensalism?

Answer 14

Commensalism (Win-Neutral)

Definition: One species benefits, and the other is neither helped nor harmed.

Why it’s symbiosis:
The benefiting species relies on the other for food, shelter, or another resource, making the interaction close and sustained.
(They are in close proximety/have a long term relationship)

Question 15

What is parasitism?

Answer 15

Parasitism (Win-Lose)
Definition: One species (the parasite) benefits, and the other (the host) is harmed.
–> Must be specifically a parasit and a host

The parasite and host have a long-term relationship, with the parasite depending on the host for survival, often at the host’s expense.
(Symbisosis)

Question 16

What is faciliation?

Answer 16

Facilitation is a type of ecological interaction where one species has a positive effect on another species, either directly or indirectly, without necessarily living in close physical association.

It often benefits at least one species and does not typically harm the other. However it can benefit both organismsm. This EVENT is random

Question 17

What are ecosystems?

Answer 17

A community of living organisms (plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms) interacting with each other and with their non-living environment (soil, water, air, sunlight, and climate) in a specific area.

Question 18

What are heterotophs? and how do they connect to biodiversity?

Answer 18

Animals that are unable to make their own food, connect to biodiversity by being a “category” in which speicies are under, and they interact with organismsm by feeding on them (/feeding on dead organismsm)

Question 19

What are autotrophs?

Answer 19

Organism that can make their own food.

–> They are dependent on microogranisms for food (and photosynthesis is not the only way autotrophs produce their own food)
—> Connects to diversity, as they showcase hwo specieies interact with another.

Question 20

What are the 4 levels of biodiversity? And how are they categorized?

Answer 20

1) Structural diversity 2) Ecosystem diversity 3) Species diversity 4) Genetic diversity

Broadest –> Most specific

Question 21

What is structural diversity?

Answer 21

The range of physical shape and sizes of an organism.

The range of physical structures in an ecosystem.

In Essence: the physical layout of an area and its complexitiies.

Why It’s Important:
Structural diversity creates different niches (spaces) for organisms to live and interact.

More structural diversity = more microhabitats

broadest level of biodiversity because it encompasses the physical organization, layout, and complexity of ecosystems, which influence and support all other levels of diversity.

Question 22

What is ecosystem diversity?

Answer 22

The variations of ecosystems within a region (Each ecosystem has its unique collection of specieiies [which adds onto species diversity])

It encompasses the diversity of different habitats, communities, and ecological processes.

Each ecosystem has different specieies that help maintain the characteristics unique to that ecosystem, therefore ecosystem diversity also encompasses species distribution.

Question 23

What is species diversity?

Answer 23

The variation and number of species in a region/ecosystem

The larger # of species in a region = the higher the specieies diversity. (+More biodiversity in general)

Specieies diversity depends on genetic diversity.
(More genetic diversity = resilience to diseases)

It is crucial for ecosystem health, stability, and human survival. High species diversity ensures ecosystems can adapt to changes and continue providing essential services.

Question 24

What is genetic diversity?

Answer 24

The most speicific type of diversity in reference to the variety of gene present within a specific speicies (the differences within a specieies)
(Hair, eye colour, etc)

Question 25

Why is biodiversity important?

Answer 25

Maintaining viable ecosystems therefore maintain a place for oragnisisms to survive/allowing life to survive.

—> Biodiversity increases resilience to environmental stress (such as natural disasters)
–> Biodiversity = organisisms are more resistant to disease

How?
By being different, if one thing arrises many things come into play (instead of all being the same, and then all being affected equally)

–> Biodiversity = increase resources for other organismsm
(Less comptetion because your going for different resources)

Question 26

How does climate change impact biodiversity?

Answer 26

1) Rising temps = habitat loss (polar) or havitat expansion (desserts)

–> Habitat changes affects organismsm, organagnisms promote ecosystem health and diversity.

2) Droughts and floudding due to changes in the rainfall levels (Can lead to reduced water avabilibility, uprooting/ habitat loss)

Question 27

How does human intervention/action affect biodiversity?

Answer 27

1) live stock/agriculture (markets that depend on selective breeding, which reduces genetic diversity)
2) Overharvesting, overfishing, overhunting. (Less indivduals of a certain type of animal = less alleles for the animal = less genetic diversity)
3) Supression of wild fires (Drowing living organisms that survive this specific fire)
4) Presticides (controlling/reducing pests)

Question 28

How does the loss of biodiversity affect humans inturn?

Answer 28

1) threatens food suppy
2) No more natural medications or potentials for natural medications
3) Habitat is destroyed (results in a large economic impact) (Tourism and foestry)
4) More carbon in the air (inreference to the biochemical cycle)

Question 29

In the wolf case study: How did the wolves alter the rivers?

Answer 29

–> Reintroduction of wolves, changed the behaviour of surrounding animals (such as deer, elks, etc) —> these animals began avoiding certain areas to run away from the wolves.

–> Prolong lack of animal activities in certain areas, promoted vegetations and regrowth (allows more organisisms to occupy the area)
- ie: beavers
- ie: birds

These organismsm provided more habitats for other animals (ie beavers and dams: which references organism interactions and shelter)

–> Less activitity = erosion reduction, which stabilized rivers. Allowing current to flow stronger and for rivers to devolpe.