M4, C11 Biodiversity

Question 1

define biodiversity

Answer 1

a measure of the variety of different organisms in a specific area

Question 2

what are the measures of sampling

Answer 2

number of organisms
distribution of organisms
measurable characteristics

Question 3

what are the 3 non random techniques of sampling

Answer 3

opportunistic - sample that is most conveniently available
stratified - put organisms into subgroups and random sample taken from each
systematic - identify different areas then sample separately

Question 4

what is the difference between line and belt transects

Answer 4

line transect is one line with quadrats placed at intervals whereas belt transects are two parallel lines and you take an area between the two line

Question 5

what are the similarities between line and belt transects

Answer 5

see the distribution of organisms over a period time

quadrats placed at regular intervals

Question 6

what are point quadrats

Answer 6

frame containing horizontal bar
at set intervals along the bar, long pins can be pushed into the ground
each species the pin touches is recorded

Question 7

what are frame quadrats

Answer 7

square frame divided into a grid of equal sections

the type and number of species within each section is recorded

Question 8

why is biodiversity important

Answer 8

maintains a balanced ecosystem
needed for food, oxygen, materials
every species relies on one another

Question 9

what are the different levels of biodiversity

Answer 9

habitat - number of different habitats in an area
species - richness and evenness
genetic - the variety of genes that makes up a species

Question 10

what are the two components of species biodiversity

Answer 10

species richness - number of different species in an area

species evenness - comparison of the numbers of individuals of each species living in a community

Question 11

what is genetic biodiversity

Answer 11

variety of genes that makes up a species

eg. humans have around 25,000 genes but some plants have 400,000

Question 12

what type of sampling is line and belt transects

Answer 12

systematic sampling

Question 13

why is sampling not always reliable

Answer 13

could be bias because you chose the area with the most flowers or it looks interesting
by chance the area you picked might not be representative of the whole population

Question 14

what are some ways to sample animals

Answer 14

pooter - catches small insects by sucking on a tube which brings smaller insects into a container
sweep nets - insects in long grass
pitfall traps - small crawling invertebrates captured in a hole in the ground which has a roof so it doesn’t fill with rainwater
tree beating - invertebrates living in trees captured in a white cloth a the bottom of the tree that is shaken or beaten
kick sampling - organisms in a river, substrate is disturbed and a net captures organisms which move into the flowing water

Question 15

what are the 3 ways of using quadrats

Answer 15

density of plants - used for large plants so you count the actual number in a quadrat

frequency - used for species that are hard to count, like grass so you count how many squares the species is in to get a percentage

percentage cover - estimate by eye - quick and gives an estimate of abundance

Question 16

define species richness

Answer 16

measure of the number of different species living in a specific area

Question 17

define species evenness

Answer 17

how close in numbers the populations of each species in an environment are

Question 18

how do you estimate animal population size

Answer 18

capture-mark-release-recapture technique

the greater the number of marked individuals recaptured, the smaller the population

Question 19

what are abiotic factors

Answer 19

non-living conditions in a habitat
they have a direct effect on organisms
eg. light and water

Question 20

for each abiotic factor, give the sensor used and the unit

a) wind speed
b) light intensity
c) relative humidity
d) pH
e) temperature
f) oxygen content in water

Answer 20

wind speed - anemometer, ms^-1
light intensity - light meter, lx
relative humidity - humidity sensor, mgdm^-3
pH - pH probe, pH
temp - temperature probe, degrees C
O2 content in water - dissolved oxygen probe, mgdm^-3

Question 21

what are the advantages of using sensors when measuring abiotic factors

Answer 21

rapid changes can be detected
human error reduced
high degree of precision can be achieved
data can be stored and tracked on a computer

Question 22

what area would be considered less diverse

Answer 22

an area that is dominated by only one or two species

Question 23

what is simpson’s diversity index

what’s the calculation

Answer 23

calculates biodiversity

D = 1 - E(n/N)^2

D = simpsons diversity index
n = total number of organisms in 1 species
N = total number of all organisms
E = the sum of (couldn't put in correct symbol)

Question 24

what do the results of the simpsons diversity index show

Answer 24

0 = no diversity
1 = infinite diversity

Question 25

how does the number of successful species differ in a low biodiversity and a high biodiversity

Answer 25

there are relatively few successful species in a low biodiversity
there are large number of successful species in a high biodiversity

Question 26

how does the nature of the environment differ in a low or high biodiversity

Answer 26

low biodiversity - extreme conditions with relatively few ecological niches
high biodiversity - not stressful with more ecological niches

Question 27

how does the adaptation of species differ in a low and high biodiversity

Answer 27

low biodiversity - relatively few species often with very specific adaptations
high biodiversity - many species with few specific adaptations

Question 28

how do the type of food webs differ in a low and high biodiversity

Answer 28

low - simple food webs

high - complex food webs

Question 29

define succession

Answer 29

a natural process in which early colonising species are replaced overtime until a stable mature population is achieved

Question 30

what is the international union for the conservation of nature (IUCN)

Answer 30

it secures agreements between nations
once a year they publish a list of the conservation status of species which countries can then work together for

they also established CITES which regulates trade of plant and animal specimens

Question 31

what is the rio convention

Answer 31

1992 - meeting between 172 nations
aka the earth summit
Agreements made were:
-countries had to develop national strategies for sustainable development
-take steps to stabilise greenhouse gas concentrations
-prevent the transformation of fertile land into desert and reduce effects of drought

Question 32

what is the countryside stewardship scheme

Answer 32

offered government payments to farmers and land managers to enhance and conserve English landscape
aims were:
-sustain beauty and diversity
-improve, extend and create wildlife habitats
-restore neglected land
improve opportunities for countryside enjoyments

now been replaced by Environmental Stewardship Scheme