L. 26 - Do Species Matter?

Question 1

LO

Answer 1

1. Understand the biological species concept, and others
2. Is there a ‘species problem’, and do species matter?
3. How do we count the numbers of species in practice?
4. Understand species richness, species diversity and how to estimate
   these quantities
5. How many species are there, and where do they occur?
6. Appreciate the science behind our knowledge and understanding of
   species and their behaviour

Question 2

Biological Species concept

Answer 2

• groups of actually or potentially interbreeding natural populations, which are reproductively isolated from other such groups

Question 3

Other species concepts

Answer 3

• Phylogenic species concept (DNA/ genetic profiles differ)
• Ecological species concept (ecology differs)
• Morphological species concept

Question 4

Counting numbers of species

Answer 4

• Define a certain area
• How much area can be sampled
• Which organisms will be counted
• Different methods for different species (count large, trap small, cameras, genetic methods)
• Time of day/ season/ weather are important factors
• Different habitats = different methods

Question 5

Species richness and diversity

Answer 5

Species richness = Number of species in a sample
Species diversity = measure of number of species and the number of individuals of the theses species brought together into a single index.

Question 6

Species Diversity Index

Answer 6

• Should use the same index when comparing 2 or more samples

Berger Parker index

Question 7

Berger parker index

Answer 7

(1-Nmax) / N

Nmax = # of indiv in the sample
N = # of most abundant species

Question 8

Alpha diversity

Answer 8

• Local diversity
• # of species within particular areas

Question 9

Beta diversity

Answer 9

• Turnover diversity
• The difference in species between areas

Question 10

Gamma diversity

Answer 10

• Regional diversity
• # of species from all areas combined