Importance & Threats to Biodiversity

Question 1

Species Diversity
- Community (Definition)

Answer 1

Community = populations within an ecosystem
- Richness measures the number of species present
- Evenness measures abundance

Question 2

Genetic Diversity

Answer 2

Variation within DNA (and genes) of a population
- Has potential for adaptation

Question 3

Chemical Diversity

Answer 3

Variation within DNA (and genes) of a population
- Assorted products of those genes (proteins and metabolites)
- Can be useful in medicines

Question 4

Ecosystem Diversity
- Ecosystem loss…

Answer 4

Number of different ecosystems
in a geographic area
- Ecosystem loss can alter interactions between species and
biological productivity of area

Question 5

Patterns of Biodiversity

Answer 5

Species diversity tends to increase towards the equator
- Correlates with temperature gradient (warmer), age (older) and number of ecosystems (higher), more stable environments

Question 6

Importance of Biodiversity

Answer 6

Because of interconnectedness, loss of species will affect
other species in ecosystem

Question 7

Threats to Biodiversity
HM/D.Ov.E/IS.CC

Answer 7

1. Habitat modification/destruction
2. Overharvesting
3. Exotic/invasive species
4. Climate change

Question 8

Habitat modification/destruction - Threats to Biodiversity

Answer 8

Affects species present (changes to life cycle, emigration, death)

Question 9

Overharvesting - Threats to Biodiversity

Answer 9

Targeting of species can severely reduce population numbers, affecting genetic diversity and ability to rebound (possibly leading to extinction)

Question 10

Exotic/invasive species - Threats to Biodiversity

Answer 10

Introduction of non-native species to an area can out-compete local, endemic
species or introduce new diseases

Question 11

Climate change - Threats to Biodiversity

Answer 11

Human-caused warming due to greenhouse gases
- Forcing range shifts as habitats become less livable
- New species interactions