Module 4- biodiversity

Question 1

Definition of biodiversity

Answer 1

the complexity of a biological community

Question 2

Definition of a habitat

Answer 2

area where an organism lives

Question 3

Definition of species richness

Answer 3

number of species in a habitat or community

Question 4

How can species richness be measured?

Answer 4

by counting the number of different species in a habitat

Question 5

Give 2 reasons how human population growth affects biodiversity?

Answer 5

-to create enough space for housing, farming and industry to support the increasing population, humans are severely disrupting the ecology of many areas through deforestation
-increase of pollution and waste production which put burden on fragile ecosystems

Question 6

How has climate change affected biodiversity?

Answer 6

-changes in global weather pattern, sea levels and temperatures can lead to habitat loss causing animals to migrate
-in some cases species may be directly destroyed, decreasing the gene pool available for natural selection and evolution
-the speed of climate change can mean that species can’t adapt quick enough to new conditions leading to extinction

Question 7

How has deforestation affected biodiversity?

Answer 7

-destroys habitats so causes species to migrate or die

Question 8

How has agriculture affected biodiversity?

Answer 8

farmers will only grow a few species based on characteristics that give a high yield which reduces the biodiversity of an area

Question 9

How is biodiversity measured?

Answer 9

using the simpsons index of diversity
-greater the value=higher biodiveristy
-uses species richness and species evenness