BIODIVERSITY: Module 4 Flashcards
biodiversity
the variety of living organisms in an area
high biodiversity
there are many different types of species
habitat
where organisms live
community
where habitats and organisms interact with each other
species biodiversity
the variety of different species in an area
habitat biodiversity
the number of different habitats in an area
genetic biodiversity
the number of different alleles in a population
quadrats
square grids used to estimate population size
specie biodiversity; practical
- stretch out tape wire across sample space (plot of land)
- choose sampling technique: random or systematic
- place quadrant at coordinate (belt transect)
- use identification key to identify species
- calculate specie cover (percentage cover) inside quadrat at different locations
- make note of results
- retry investigation at different times of the year
N in index of diversity equation meaning
total number of organisms of all species
n in index of diversity equation meaning
all the organisms of 1 specific specie
what might cause low genetic variation
isolated populations
extreme environments
genetic polymorphism
where a position (locus) on a chromosome has two or more alleles
equation for polymorphic genes
number of gene loci / total loci
human impact on biodiversity
deforestation - for paper, wooden houses
pollution - burning fossil fuels for petrol, causing acid rain
introducing invasive species - species like grey squirell introduced that out compete native species
overgrazing - reduces plant cover, causes desertification
hunting - reduces number of species
keystone species
species that would dramatically change ecosystems in case of extinction
