Biodiversity + Sampling Flashcards
Types of sampling?
- Random
- Non Random
Types of non random sampling?
- Opportunistic
- Stratified
- Systematic
Define Biodiversity
A measure of all the different living organisms and their genes and ecosystems, including biotic and abiotic factors
What is a species?
Individuals that can interbreed to produce fertile offspring
Methods of sampling insects?
- Sweep net
- Pooter
- Pitfall Trap
- Beating tray
- Light Trap
- Tullgren funnel (leaf litter)
Methods of sampling plants?
- Quadrat
- Point Frame
Methods of sampling mammals?
- Longworth Trap
- Observation
How do you set up a pitfall trap?
- dig a hole in the ground
- place a steep sided container in the hole, with the opening at soil
level - cover the opening to prevent the container filling with water
- leave the trap for three days
What are the limits of mark release recapture?
- assumes no natural population change
- assumes the marking is harmless
- assumes appropriate mixing time
Define:
Species richness
The number of species in an area
Define:
Species evenness
The number of individuals of each species
Simpson’s Diversity Index
D = 1- Σ(n/N)²
Define:
Genetic diversity
The variation of genes in a species
Describe:
Natural selection
- Variation occurs in a population due to mutation
- Selection pressure is placed on a population
- Some organisms are better adapted to survival - survival of the fittest
- Surviving organisms reproduce and pass on genes to offspring
- Repeat over many generations
Define:
Genetic bottleneck
Reduced gene pool due to a decrese in population
Define:
Natural selection
Non advantageous alleles lost from population - survival of the fittest
How do you calculate genetic diversity?
(no. of loci with more than 1 allele / total no. of loci) x 100
How does agriculture affect biodiversity?
- Monoculture - No genetic variation
- selective breeding - reduces genetic biodiversity
Define:
Keystone species
Organisms that have a disproportionate effect on their enviroment
Name:
3 Examples of a keystone species
- Mountain lions
- Sugar maple trees
- Beavers
How are mountain lions a keystone species?
Arizona
Control the deer population
How are Sugar maples a keystone species?
USA
- Provide habitats for multiple organisms
- Roots supply other plants with water
How are beavers a keystone species?
- Flooded rivers provide wetland habitats
- Clear trees provide open land habitats
Reasons for maintaining biodiversity
- Genetic resources - medicine
- Economic reasons - Preventing desertification
- Aesthetics - increase wellbeing
Name:
The two types of conservation
- In situ
- Ex situ
What does CITES stand for?
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species
What does IUCN stand for?
International Union for Conservation of Nature
State:
Advantages of in situ conservation
- Plants and animals protected while in their natural enviroment
- Helps protect the natural area
Disadvantages of in situ conservation
- Create a Honeypot
- Endangered habitats can be fragmented
Define:
Honeypot
Members of an endangered species are gathered in on place - Poaching
Advantages of ex situ conservation for animals
- Captive breeding can increase the population faster
- Education
- Maintaining genetic biodiversity
Advantages of ex situ conservation for plants
- Plant seeds can be stored easily
- Captive plants can easily be introduced into the wild
- plants can reproduce quickly
Disadvantages of ex situ conservation for animals
- Harder to reintroduce into the wild
Disadvantages of ex situ conservation for plants
- Limited funding
- Seeds may not remain viable
- May not have enough genetic diversity
