Topic 3.3 Biodiversity

Question 1

Define biodiversity

Answer 1

the variety of living organisms and can be assessed on different levels; within a habitat at the species level (diversity index) or within a species at the genetic level (variety of alleles)

Question 2

How do you calculate the index of diversity?

Answer 2

d= N(N-1)/sum of n(n-1)
N=total number of organisms of all species
n=total number of organisms of each species

Question 3

What is an allele?

Answer 3

different forms of the same gene found at the same locus (position) on a chromosome. a single gene could have many alleles

Question 4

How does a species’ variety of alleles relate to their biodiversity?

Answer 4

within a species, all organisms have the same gene pool however, each organism will have a different combination of alleles. a wider range of alleles within a species increases diversity

Question 5

Give reasons why we should maintain biodiversity

Answer 5

• more stable, resilient populations
• ecotourism opportunities
• provide source of medicine
• stabilise soils
• increase the gene pool

Question 6

Define conservation

Answer 6

the protection and management of species and habitats, in order to maintain biodiversity. can be in-situ or ex-situ

Question 7

Define species richness

Answer 7

refers to the number of different species in an area

Question 8

What is a biodiversity hotspot?

Answer 8

an area with a particularly high level of biodiversity

Question 9

What is relative species abundance?

Answer 9

refers to the relative number of species in an area

Question 10

What is allele frequency?

Answer 10

the frequency with which a particular allele appears within a population

Question 11

What is genetic diversity?

Answer 11

a measure of the level of difference in the genetic make-up of a population

Question 12

What are ecosystem services?

Answer 12

services provided by the natural environment that benefit people

Question 13

State the ethical reasons of maintaining biodiversity

Answer 13

• to not deny future generations the opportunity to use renewable natural resources
• source of pleasure
• unique DNA combinations lost through extinction if biodiversity lost
• human activities may cause mass extinctions through climate change

Question 14

What is ex-situ conservation?

Answer 14

the conservation of components of biological outside their natural habitats

Question 15

What is in-situ conservation?

Answer 15

the conservation of ecosystems and natural habitats, and the maintenance and recovery of viable populations of species in their natural surroundings

Question 16

Give examples of in-situ conservation

Answer 16

• protected habitats e.g. national parks that protect he species there from depletion
• education programmes that teach people about the importance of biodiversity

Question 17

Give advantages of in-situ conservation

Answer 17

• protects more than one species
• cheap
• few resources required

Question 18

Give disadvantages of in-situ conservation

Answer 18

• hard to enforce legalisation

- population may still decline

Question 19

Give examples of ex-situ conservation

Answer 19

• zoos, where endangered species can be carefully bred to increase genetic diversity and prevent interbreeding
• seed banks, store seeds carefully to keep them viable (prevents certain species from going extinct)

Question 20

Give advantages of ex-situ conservation

Answer 20

• requires little space

- eliminates predators and poachers

Question 21

Give disadvantages of ex-situ conservation

Answer 21

• expensive
• can’t fully recreate natural habitat
• disease spreads quickly