Unit 1 - Assessing Biodiversity (Week 1)

Question 1

What is Genetic Diversity?

Answer 1

The number & frequency of alleles within a population (genetic variation).

Question 2

In terms of Genetic Diversity, if a population decreases what would be the result?

Answer 2

A species may lose genetic diversity, limiting the ability to adapt to change.

Question 3

What is Species Diversity?

Answer 3

The number of different species (species richness) & the proportion of each species (relative abundance) in an ecosystem.

Question 4

Explain Species Diversity

Answer 4

A community that has a dominant species will have a lower species diversity, as its LESS diverse rather than a community with the same species amount of species (species richness) but no dominant species.

Question 5

What is Ecosystem Diversity?

Answer 5

The number of distinct ecosystems within an area.

Question 6

What does relative abundance mean?

Answer 6

Relative abundance is a measure of how common or rare a species is relative to other species. It is the evenness of distribution of individuals among a species within a community.

Question 7

What is species richness?

Answer 7

The number of species present in a sample or particular area.