Ecosystems & Biodiversity Flashcards
What is biodiversity
Biodiversity is the variety of species and ecosystems
on earth and the ecological processes of which they
are a part. Can be further categorised as ecosystem
diversity, species diversity and genetic diversity.
What is ecosystem diversity
Ecosystem diversity: Is the variation in habitats,
living communities and ecological processes in the
living world.
What is genetic diversity
The variety of genetic characteristics involved in
the genetic makeup of a species.
Explain quadrats
Used to find out how common or rare a species is in a defined area. They are thrown randomly within the area to be investigated OR another form of randomised
sampling is used e.g. systematic, stratified, simple.
What is density (in relative abundance)
Density is the number of individuals of the same
species present per unit area or unit volume (e.g. m2). The average is calculated from the samples collected in
a given area.
What is frequency (in relative abundance)
Frequency in sampling is the proportion/number of
quadrats that each species occurs in.
What is percentage cover
Percentage cover is the measure of the amount
of cover of a particular species in a quadrat.
What is a transect
A transect is a line across a community of organisms.
It can be as simple as a string or rope placed in a line on the ground. The string is marked off in measured distance intervals, and the species at each point are marked and noted. Quadrats are usually placed at these intervals.
What are transects used for
Transects are usually carried out to provide
information on the distribution of a species in the community. The number or organisms of each species can be
observed and recorded at specific regular intervals
along a transect, using a quadrat.
What is a biotic/biodiversity index
A biotic index/biodiversity index is a scale showing the quality of an environment based on
types of organisms which inhabit it.
Name three examples of a biotic index
Simpson’s biodiversity index, Trent biotic index and Lincoln index
What is simpson’s biodiversity index
Simpson’s Biodiversity Index is a measure of
diversity which considers the number of species
present, plus the relative abundance of each
species.
What is the lincoln index
The Lincoln Index is a method of
estimating population sizes of individual
animal species in a particular area using
capture-mark-recapture.
Name 5 methods of marking
Banding: a visible coded metal or plastic loop attached around part of the organism.
Tagging: a visible coded metal or plastic tag inserted into or onto the organism.
Painting: A code painted onto the surface of an
organism.
Surgical Implantation: A microchip inserted into the
organism; read by an electronic reader.
Hair clipping: A distinctive area of fur trimmed on a
small mammal.
What is biodiversity
Biodiversity is the variety of species and ecosystems
on earth and the ecological processes of which they
are a part. Can be further categorised as ecosystem
diversity, species diversity and genetic diversity.
What is ecosystem diversity
Ecosystem diversity: Is the variation in habitats,
living communities and ecological processes in the
living world.
What is genetic diversity
Is the variety of genetic characteristics involved in
the genetic makeup of a species.
What are quadrats used for and how are they used
To find out how common or rare a species is in a defined area. They are thrown randomly within the area to be investigated OR another form of randomised sampling is used e.g. systematic, stratified, simple.
What is density (in relative abundance)
Density is the number of individuals of the same
species present per unit area or unit volume (e.g. m2). The average is calculated from the samples collected in
a given area.
What is frequency (in relative abundance)
Frequency in sampling is the proportion/number of
quadrats that each species occurs in.
What is percentage cover
Percentage cover is the measure of the amount
of cover of a particular species in a quadrat.
What is a transect
A transect is a line across a community of organisms.
It can be as simple as a string or rope placed in a line on the ground. The string is marked off in measured distance intervals, and the species at each point are marked and noted. Quadrats are usually placed at these intervals.
Why would a transect be used
This is particularly appropriate where environmental factors might change e.g. along an environmental gradient or where one ecosystem transitions to another. Transects are usually carried out to provide
information on the distribution of a species in the community.
What is a biotic/biodiversity index
A biotic index/biodiversity index is a scale showing the quality of an environment based on
types of organisms which inhabit it.
Name 3 examples of a biotic index
Simpson’s biodiversity index, Trent biotic index and Lincoln index
What is simpson’s biodiversity index
Simpson’s Biodiversity Index is a measure of
diversity which considers the number of species
present, plus the relative abundance of each
species.
What is lincoln’s index
The Lincoln Index is a method of estimating population sizes of individual animal species in a particular area using
capture-mark-recapture.
What are 5 methods of marking
Banding: a visible coded metal or plastic loop attached around part of the organism.
Tagging: a visible coded metal or plastic tag inserted into or onto the organism.
Painting: A code painted onto the surface of an
organism.
Surgical Implantation: A microchip inserted into the
organism; read by an electronic reader.
Hair clipping: A distinctive area of fur trimmed on a
small mammal.
What is invasive sampling
Invasive sampling is when: Animals are handled by
scientists. This may cause stress, alter behaviour or harm the animal in some way.
What is non-invasive sampling
Non-invasive sampling is when: Animals are not handled by scientists e.g. analysing footprints, droppings or DNA from sources such as faeces and
hair. However, these types of analyses may tell you little about behaviour.
