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Biology 4.2.1 - Biodiversity > deck_13003253 > Flashcards

deck_13003253 Flashcards

1
Q

What is a species?

A

a group of individual organisms with similar characteristics that can breed to produce fertile offspring

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2
Q

What is a habitat?

A

the natural home or environment of a species

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3
Q

What is biodiversity?

A

the variety of organisms/species present in an area

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4
Q

What are the types of biodiversity?

A

Genetic
Habitat
Species

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5
Q

Describe genetic biodiversity?

A

Variety of genes found in individuals in a species

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6
Q

Describe habitat biodiversity

A

the range of habitats in an area

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7
Q

Describe species biodiversity

A

species richness: # of species in an area
species evenness: number of individuals within a species in an area

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8
Q

Define population

A

all the organisms of a particular species found in an ecosystem

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9
Q

Define community

A

Populations of all species found in a particular ecosystem

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10
Q

Define ecosystem

A

system of organisms interacting with each other and the environment

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11
Q

Define abiotic/biotic

A

abiotic: non-living components (environmental)
biotic: living components

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12
Q

Define sampling

A

measurement of abundance and distribution of species in an area

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13
Q

Define random sampling

A

non-biased way of sampling where every individual has an equal likelihood of selection

allows estimation of population

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14
Q

Why is it important for samples to be random?

A

removes bias therefore making sample more reliable

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15
Q

What are the 3 types of non-random sampling?

A

Opportunistic
Stratified
Systematic

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16
Q

Describe stratified sampling

A

dividing populations into strata (sub-groups) based on characteristics

eg. male and female

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17
Q

Describe systematic sampling

A

used when there is a clear change in different areas of habitat using a line/belt transect

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18
Q

Describe opportunistic sampling

A

selecting organisms that are conveniently available to the experimenter

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19
Q

Describe kick-sampling

A

disturbing substrate in river banks to release organisms where they are captured downstream

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20
Q

Describe sweep netting

A

sweeping a net in long wild grass to catch flying invertebrates

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21
Q

Describe pitfall traps

A

a hole in soil deep to catch vertebrates covered to stop rainwater entering

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22
Q

Describe tree-beating

A

laying large cloth out and beating a tree to knock organisms and catch them in the cloth

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23
Q

Describe a pooter

A

glass container used to suck small organisms - filter covers one tube to stop organisms being sucked into mouth

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24
Q

Describe species evenness

A

the number of organisms within a species in an area

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25
Describe species richness
the number of species present in an area
26
What are genetic causes for loss/gain of biodiversity?
+ mutations + interbreeding - selective breeding - captive breeding - cloning - genetic drift - natural selection - genetic bottleneck (catastrophic event)
27
Define abiotic factors
non-living components of an ecosystem - temperature - pH - humidity - light - water
28
What is a frame quadrat?
square frame divided into a grid - type and number of each species sampled
29
What is a point quadrat?
frame containing horizontal bar - pins stick through the bar - each species the pin touches is recorded
30
What is a polymorphic allele?
gene with more than two possible alleles
31
Define Locus
position of gene on a chromosome
32
Why are seed banks effective in maintaining biodiversity?
- seeds can be easily transported and stored - prevents extinction - preserves genetic material
33
When would random sampling be appropriate?
when the population size is small or the size of the individual samples and their number are relatively small
34
When would using systematic sampling be appropriate?
when a habitat is non-uniform and gradual changes occur
35
Explain why greater genetic biodiversity increases a species' chances for long-term survival
- greater genetic biodiversity = more likely to adapt to environmental changes - some organisms likely to carry advantageous allele - carries through offspring
36
Explain why it may not be possible to release some captively bred organisms back into the wild
- no resistance to diseases - some behaviour is learned (eg. hunting) - habitats need to be reintroduced
37
Explain what measuring species diversity tells us about the stability of an ecosystem
- diversity often proportional to stability of ecosystem - so more stable = evenly distributed species
38
Explain why the use of data loggers and sensors is advantageous.
- reduces human error - detects rapid changes - high degree of precision
39
Name 3 issues that affect biodiversity that are due to human population size
- deforestation - climate change - agriculture
40
Describe deforestation
permanent removal of large woodlands for housing, fuel and to create space
41
Name two ways in which genetic biodiversity of a population can be increased.
- mutation of DNA creating new alleles - interbreeding between populations transfer alleles
42
What 4 ways can deforestation affect biodiversity?
- can occur naturally - if only specific tree cut - species diversity reduced - habitat destruction reduces number of animal species present (food and shelter destroyed) - animals forced to migrate - biodiversity of other areas increases
43
Name 5 methods associated with agriculture that affect biodiversity.
- removal of hedgerows - pesticides - reduce species diversity - herbicides - monoculture - deforestation
44
Describe monoculture and its impacts on biodiversity
- producing only one crop lowers biodiversity directly - few animal species will be supported by one type of plant
45
Describe 3 aesthetic reasons for maintaining biodiversity
- presence of plants and animals enriches our lives - inspiration for musicians and artists - patients recover more rapidly from stress when supported by plants and natural environment
46
What are 3 reasons for maintaining biodiversity
- aesthetic - economic - ecological
47
Describe 8 economic reasons for maintaining biodiversity
- soil erosion and desertification reduces ability to grow crops - resource dependence on other nations - non-sustainable removal of resources will lead to collapse of industry in area - species with potential economic importance may become extinct before being discovered - continuous monoculture = soil depletion (red. in soil biodiversity) same land is reused - farmer reliant on expensive chemicals to maintain productivity - high biodiversity protects from abiotic stress and disease - change in conditions can destroy entire crops (irish famine) - high biodiversity = more tourism - greater diversity = potential to manufacture new products in future - plant varieties needed for cross-breeding = better characteristics
48
Describe 2 ecological reasons for maintaining biodiversity
- organisms interdependent - removal of one species has knock-on effect - removal of keystone species - ecosystem drastically changed and becomes unstable
49
Define the term ‘keystone species’ and why it is important
keystone species: key role in maintaining structure of ecological community - disproportionally large effect on environment compared to their abundance
50
How is Simpson’s Index of Biodiversity calculated?
D = 1 - sum of (total # organisms in species/total number of species)^2
51
What is the formula for genetic biodiversity?
proportion of polymorphic gene loci = # polymorphic gene loci / total # loci
52
What are the implications of a habitat having high biodiversity?
- large # of successful species - wide range of adaptions to environment - complex food webs - small effects when environment changes
53
What are the implications of a habitat with a low biodiversity?
- few successful species - specific adaptions to environment - simple food webs - major effects when environment changes
54
Why is it important to monitor genetic biodiversity?
to monitor health of population and ensure long term survival
55
Define in-situ conservation
conservation within natural habitat
56
Define ex-situ conservation
conservation out of natural habitat
57
Name 2 methods of in situ conservation
- wildlife reserves - marine conservation zones
58
Name 3 methods of ex situ conservation
- botanic gardens - seed banks - captive breeding programmes
59
Describe the role of botanic gardens in maintaining biodiversity.
species are actively managed & provided with resources to grow (soil nutrients, watering, removal of pests)
60
Describe the role of seed banks in maintaining biodiversity.
seeds stored so that new plants can be grown in the future - extinction prevented - easy to transport - stored easily
61
Explain how seed banks store the seeds and why these methods are important.
- seeds are dried and stored at temperatures of -20C - slows rate at which they lose ability to germinate
62
Describe how captive breeding programmes reduce genetic biodiveristy.
- small number of captive individuals available for breeding - there is no gene flow
63
Explain the aim of captive breeding programmes in maintaining genetic biodiversity.
aim to create a stable, healthy population of a species and gradually reintroduce it back to natural habitat
64
Describe 7 methods of active management in wildlife reserves.
- controlling grazing - only for certain amount of time, allowing area of land species to recover - restricting human access - providing paths so plants aren't trampled - controlling poaching - feeding animals - ensure more organisms survive to reproductive age - reintroduction of species - adding species to areas that have become locally extinct - culling or removal of invasive species - removal of competition for native species - halting succession - only way of preventing areas such as moorland from becoming woodland is grazing
65
Describe the role of marine conservation zones in maintaining biodiversity.
creates areas of refuge from which populations can build up and repopulate areas
66
Describe 3 ways in which zoos can contribute to conservation.
- provide animals shelter, abundant supply of food, absence of predators and vet treatment - genealogical data is kept on individuals so when bred, they choose the pairs that will maximise genetic biodiversity - money earned can be used as funding for researching new methods of conservation
67
State the full name of CITES and explain how it helps protect biodiversity.
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species - regulates international trade of wild plant and animal specimens and their products - protects species from over-exploitation that could endanger them
68
State 3 outcomes from the Rio convention.
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) - requires countries to develop national strategies for sustainable development - agreement to stabilise greenhouse gas concentration in atmosphere - prevent transformation of fertile land into desert
69
What does conservation mean?
maintenance of biodiversity through human action/management - managing ecosystems so resources can be used without running out

Biology 4.2.1 - Biodiversity (9 decks)

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