Observing And Mapping Biodiversity

Question 1

What are the two methods for linking past climates to biodiversity?

Answer 1

1. Geology: look at the conditions of rocks

2. Biological materials: look at fossils e.g crocodiles can be found in the Arctic

Question 2

What is a good preservative of biological materials?

Answer 2

Peat e.g Tollund man

Question 3

What is palynology?

Answer 3

Pollen grains are resistant to corrosion and are species specific

Pollen grains can indicate plant species present at that time

Question 4

Give an example of a fossil that can estimate past temperatures, and describe how it does this:

Answer 4

Deep sea Foraminifera

Warm temp (more than 8-10 degrees) = right hand coiling 
Cold temp (less than 7 degrees) = left hand coiling

Question 5

How do stable isotopes show past temperatures?

Answer 5

Samples depleted in the lighter isotope indicate a warmer climate because they evaporate quickest

Question 6

What are the 3 causes of glaciations?

Answer 6

1. Eccentricity: earths orbit around sun isn’t circular
2. Obliquity: angle of the earth tilts 2.4 degrees every 41,000 years
3. Precession: direction of earths axis relative to the stars

Question 7

What was found to be the most abundant plant species in London clay 65 million years ago?

Answer 7

Palm: indicates a much warmer climate

Question 8

What is amelioration?

Answer 8

Melting of ice and re-invasion

Question 9

In the last full glaciation where in Britain was left exposed?

Answer 9

South east England

Question 10

How is the iris plant an example of speciation due to glaciation?

Answer 10

In America iris setosa pushed south and crossed with iris Virginica to produce iris versicolor

When glaciers retreated so did iris setosa

Question 11

What are eco regions and how many are there?

Answer 11

Defined as areas that have distinct biotas that can’t be found anywhere else on earth

867

Question 12

What are biodiversity hotspots and how many are there?

Answer 12

Where there are unique species and biodiversity is decreasing at an exceptional rate

25

Question 13

Where is the maximum number of species of various organisms found?

Answer 13

Slightly north of the equator

Question 14

How does the physical structure of vegetation influence biodiversity?

Answer 14

The more canopies/layers the more microclimates, which means more niches for species= higher biodiversity

Question 15

What habitat is more diverse: terrestrial or marine?

Answer 15

Terrestrial