Topic 4: Conservation & Biodiversity Flashcards
Define habitat diversity
The range of habitats present in a region
Genetic diversity
The genetic range that is present in a population of a species
What is the cause of biological variation/genetic diversity ?
Genetic mutation and natural selection
What is genetic isolation?
When some organisms are separated from their species and so adapt to their new climate.
Other than genetic isolation, what is another type of isolation?
Behavioural isolation
When does primary succession occur?
When there is no life, no soil and harsh abiotic factors
In terms of primary succession, what is a lichen?
Pioneer species
Each stage of succession becomes more complex in terms of species diversity and soil depth increases until it reaches a …
Climax community
(Uk: broadleaf woodland
In succession, late seres are dominated by….
Biotic or abiotic factors?
Biotic
In succession, what does the rate of change depend on?
Climate, soil, humans
Define Biodiversity
The amount of biological or living diversity per unit area. Includes concepts off species diversity, habitat diversity and genetic diversity
What is a plagioclimax?
‘false climax community’ which is managed by humans and the land is prevented from reaching the climax community for use of agricultural land or heathland for example.
What factors are currently causing animals to be endangered?
agricultural practices (pesticides), habitat degregation (urbanisation), polluting environments (acid rain), poaching (fur coats)
Why is it often difficult to identify species?
Some species are hard to access (e.g. deep oceans), some can only be identified at one point in the year (e.g. plants)
