Unit 3 (Kognity Only) Flashcards
Biodiversity
The degree of variation of all life on earth, both within and between species and habitants
The three components of biodiversity
Species, habitat, and genetic diversity
Biodiversity is not constant….
It changes over space or time
Different areas of the world have
An inherently higher biodiversity than other
Tropical rainforest biome
The most diverse terrestrial ecosystem
Hot and cold deserts are
The most sparse biomes for biodiversity
Tropical rainforest biomes have approx.
1,500 flowering plant species, 700 tree species, and 400 bird species
The Sahara desert biome has approx.
500 species of plants, 90 bird species, and more than 100 reptile species
Tropical coral reefs have….
A large variety of life due to the warm water and plenty of sunlight conditions
The oceanic abyssal zone….
Has very low diversity due to the cold/dark conditions at 4,000-6,000 metres deep
Biodiversity is essential for….
The earth to function effectively
In order to conserve biodiversity….
We must both understand and quantify it (we are losing species and habitats at an alarming rate
The highest biodiversity is found
Around the equator and the tropics
The lowest biodiversity is found
Towards the north and south poles
Terrestrial
On or relating to the earth
Areas with higher biodiversity have….
Fewer limiting factors
What will create a higher level of primary productivity and abundant plant growth?
Equitable climate, plentiful precipitation, high isolation, suitable temperatures
More vegetation increases
The number of habitats, food, water, and animal shelter to decrease competition and increase the amount of species variety within a particular area
Areas with a better climate and fewer limiting functions….
Will have a higher biodiversity
Regions in the same climatic zone….
Can have very different levels of biodiversity
Factors of biodiversity:
Climate, age of the area, environmental stability, range of habitats
Age of an area (biodiversity)
Older areas tend to have higher biodiversity since they have had a longer time span allowing organisms to diversify more and mor
Environmental stability (Biodiversity)
Environmental disturbances such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and floods, and/or climatic disturbances such as glaciations or drought - may destroy large numbers of species causing less time for colonisation and species adaption
Range of habitats (Biodiversity)
A wide range of habitats will allow the organisms to move into new habitats and ecological niches evolving and driving speciation
Range of habitats are due to:
Greater vertical extent of the vegetation, altitudinal variation, latitudinal ranges, variation in rock and soil types
Greater vertical extent of vegetation
Forests versus grasslands, because forests are layers they offer a wider range of habitats
Altitudinal variation
Any area with a mountain range will have a range of climates associated with the different heights and so different organisms in each zone
Latitudinal ranges
Areas that extend across the latitudes will have the same sort of variation as seen in mountain ranges
Variation in rock and soil types:
Changes in the abiotic environment will cause changes in the biotic environment so increasing biodiversity
Human survival is dependent on
Biodiversity and living things
People become detached from nature….
Because of urbanisation
Conservationists find that action is easier….
If people believe inaction will cost themselves in some way
Human benefits of biodiversity
Financial benefits, natural capital provides goods that can be extracted, processed, and sold such as timber, agricultural food crops, medicines, pharmaceutical drugs, and clothes. Also numerous research and educational opportunities for humans since we only know few things about some biomes (tropical rainforests), If we damage the environment it will effect our lives creating a domino effect
Humans biodiversity positive feedback loop
Insecticides to kill pesticides, residue drains into water bodies and is taken in by fish, the poison becomes more and more concentrated until it gets to humans
Non human biodiversity advantages
Biodiversity maintains genetic diversity being important to the continuation of evolution, natural areas allow humans to get away from city life, global ecosystems provide invaluable services including the balance of atmospheric gases, clean air, the water cycle, climate regulation, soil formation and protection, pollution breakdown and absorption
Reasons to put prices on nature:
Gives an actual value that people can understand. People know how much material things cost so they have a point of comparison. Putting a high price on something may make people realise its value and his understand its importance
Reasons not to put prices on nature:
Once you place a price, the item can be “sold” which may encourage governments in some areas to sell land to the “highest bidder.” There may be a bias towards protecting areas that are worth more, and ignoring other areas seen to be less beneficial
Scientists agree there are about
10 million species on the earth - previous estimates have ranged between 10-100 million
Three-quarters of known species
Are on land
The percentage of land species that have been recorded
14%
Percentage of the plant and animal species that are in tropical rainforest
50%-90%
Percentage of species that are invertebrates
More than half
Species diversity
Number of different species in a given area taking into account the richness and evenness of the species
The two factors to consider when measuring diversity
Richness and evenness
Richness
Measure of the number of different species in one area more species means richer environment
Limitations with the measurement of richness
No account is taken of how common or rare a species is. It may also be inaccurate as species need to reproduce to maintain their presence in the ecosystem
Evenness
The relative abundance of species.
Positives of measuring evenness
It take into account the abundance or scarcity of each species and eliminates problems of just analysing species richness
Relative species abundance
How common or rare a species is in relative to other species in a defined location
Relative abundance
The percent composition of an organism of a particular kind relative to the total number of organisms in the area
The more rich and even a habitat / location is
The more diverse
Simpson’s diversity index formula
D = N (N - 1) / Σ n ( n - 1)
N in Simpson’s diversity index
Total number of organisms of all species found
n in Simpson’s diversity index
The number of individuals of a particular species
Sample calculation SDI (D = N (N - 1) / Σ n ( n - 1))
150(149) / 50(49) + 50(49) + 50(49) + 50(49)
D = 22,350 / 2450 + 2450 + 2450
D = 22,350 / 7,350
D = 3.04
What does Simpson’s diversity index show
The higher value of D the higher the diversity of the area - it puts a mathematical value on the diversity of a community so we can compare them over time and space and the state of an ecosystem over time - this could also helo with future development plans such as new projects close to natural areas
Limitations of Simpsons diversity index
It is realistic to compare a rainforest with grassland but it can be useful to compare communities that should have a similar diversity, eg: 2 tropical grasslands
Reasons for a low diversity
Close to a source of pollution, agricultural spraying of herbicides, subject to harvesting some of the species, closer to human habitation and so subject to degradation
Changes of diversity can be documented in a
Millenium ecosystem assessment
Species diversity in any ecosystem is….
The culmination of millions of years of evolution which occurs in association with other living organisms in the same area.
Ecosystem in balance
Species interact with each other and the abiotic environment, and perform various functions within the system. So loss of just one species affects many others causing the system to go out of balance
Insects (bees), Mammals (bats), and birds pollinate:
90% of all plats
Humans rely on many species for….
Modern pharmaceuticals derived from plants *aspirin, penicillin, painkillers) and those in the developing world need plants for medication
Habitat diversity
The range of different habitats in an area (also known as ecosystem diversity)
Habitat is the….
Abiotic and biotic environment that a species lives in
Habitat diversity
The range of places were plants and animals can live
Terrestrial Biomes
In terrestrial biomes, abiotic environments are the most important for plants - the plants act as habitat for animals
Determining factors of what species and plants can grow in an area
Temperature range, soil type, precipitation, and light
A variety of vegetation communities in an areas means….
A larger habitat range for animals - type of vegetation is also important in this
Vegetation
Plants considered collectively, especially those found in a particular area or habitat
Woodland vegetation
Has many layers and thus creates a multi storied apartment block for animals
Grassland vegetation
Provides only one layer of accomodation with less diversity
High habitat diversity gives….
Different areas for populations of species to spread into, separation prompts greater gene pool various. A wide range of spaces for animals to adapt and/or move inn to for high species diversity
High genetic diversity increases….
Species adaptability and can lead to speciation and thus to higher species diversity
High species diversity creates….
A higher habitat diversity
Marine habitats are different to terrestrial onces since….
They are transient and changeable and it is not only vegetation which provides animal habitats
Suitability of habitats in marine environments….
Depends on abiotic factors themselves rather than the plants that are determined by the abiotic factors
Abiotic factos include
Dissolved gases, land run-off, marine topography, nutrients, ocean gyres and currents, pH, salinity, sunlight, temperature (linked to latitude, ocean currents, and hydrothermal vents), and turbulence
Genetic diversity
The variation of genes within the genetic pool of a population of a species; it is the means by which a population can adapt to change
If there is a high level of genetic diversity….
There is a higher probability that some individuals within the population possess the genes that are best suited to any changes in the environment
A smaller population of organisms….
Is likely to have a smaller gene pool, lower genetic diversity, and less adaptability
Within a species there are….
Individuals and populations
Every individual has….
A slightly different genetic make up from every other member of the species
Individuals within a population will be….
More similar to each other than individuals from another population
Genetic diversity example”:
Domestic cats - they belong to the same species and can interbreed but there is a huge variation between different breeds
Genetic diversity in wild animal populations….
Is crucial for their survival
Animals that are widespread and found in many different areas….
Have a higher chance of survival since each population will have different genetic makeup with different strengths and adapt abilities, and if one population is wiped out by disaster, other population will go unaffected and the species will carry on
One of the most widespread species of the planet
Vulpes - The red fox - is had the adaptability to urban environments
One of the most narrowspread species of the planet
Lemurs which are only downs in Madagascar - if they are wiped out, their chance of recovery is only in zoos. They have a small population, low genetic diversity and in-breeding may weaken them
Why is genetic diversity important?
There is a better chance that some species will remain resilient and survive environmental change caused by disease, climate change, and pollution, low genetic diversity causes inbreeding to make genetic population make-up more uniform, so population disabilities will compone more common, Extinction is frequently preceded by a drop in genetic diversity, Once lost genetic diversity is almost impossible to regain, genes code our food, medicine, biofuels. If something we let on (eg: wheat) is struck by disease then genetic diversity increases the chances of us finding alternatives that are disease free
Two responses that life can make to the Earth’s changes
Adapt and diversity, go extinct
Go extinct
If the change is too rapid, evolution is often too slow to keep pace and some organisms will become extinct - 5 such events have occurred in the history of the earth named the mass extinction
Adapt and diversity
If the change is slow and progressive, life can adapt to the new conditions and biodiversity increases
The different approaches taken to the conservation of biodiversity
Policies, legislation, designation of protected areas, education programmes, promotion of sustainable activities such as ecotourism, habitat restoration programmes, species breeding programmes
MEDCs
Can afford to spend more money on biodiversity conservation - they have more technological tools and have world leading institutes on conservation
A large amount of diversity is located in….
Biological hotspots in LEDCs
To address inequity
Various conservation groups have formed to help share resources and expertise
Resources available to help with conservation….
Vary from place to place
The conservation of a threatened species in a remote part of the world
May be considered of little value for some people
Humans are dependent on biofiversity….
Both indirectly and indirectly
Reasons given for biodiversity conservation depend on EVS
an ecocentric view would argue that it is our moral duty to conserve biodiversity and that every species has biorights, the right to exist. Deep ecologists adopt a holistic world view, valuing how biodiversity is interconnected and believe that the spiritual and aesthetic value is important to human well-being. At the other extreme of the scale, Cornucopians with a technocentric view would argue that exploitation and loss of biodiversity is acceptable and that human ingenuity will help replace any lost resources. Environmental managers with an anthropocentric view would consider the ecological environment, economic and social aspects with the aim of achieving sustainable development.
Utilitarian value
Where there is an economic value associated with the use of resources
Non-utilitarian values
when use does not have any economic value
Utilitarian values include:
Direct use: (Consumptive use, such as goods that are harvested food, timber, medicines. Non-consumptive for aesthetic, recreational and educational use.) Ecological services: carbon sink, production of oxygen, water filtration, waste assimilation, nutrient recycling, flood control. (Value estimated to be US$16-54 trillion per year.) Option value - potential value in the future, for instance from discoveries of new medicines. Bequest value - passing benefits to future generations.
Non-utilitarian values
Intrinsic value: the right of a species to exist (biorights), an ethical based reason (supported by deep ecologist) Existence value: knowing the species exist. (any of us may never visit the Amazon rainforest but we gain satisfaction from knowing it exists.)
The Millenium Ecosystem Assessment linked biodiversity to human well being and categorised biodiverse values into:
Provision value: food, freshwater, wood, fuel
Regulating value: climate change, flood regulation, water purification
Supporting value: nutrient cycling, soil formation, primary production
Cultural value: aesthetic, spiritual, educational and recreational uses
Intrinsic value
Belonging naturally, essentially
For conservation initiatives to be effective they need to:
Involve action at the local level that leads to change, Be supported by policies, legislation and resources (such as training, advice and finance).
International agreements are sometimes vital eg:
Biodiversity does not respect human created national borders. Many species (animals, birds, fish) migrate from one area to another. Human activities have impacts on biodiversity beyond borders such as the demand for exotic pets that drives international trade and cause species loss (global demand for primates such as baby chimpanzees has contributed to a reduction of their wild populations in parts of Africa)
Decisions to conserve biodiversity
Can be made at international or national level before being implemented locally
Non governmental organisations and inter-governmental organisations
Campaign and work towards conserving biodiversity
NGOs
Non-profit, voluntary organisations usually funded by charitable donations and membership fees. They vary from being focused on one specific problem in one location (for example, Brainforest is protecting rainforest in Gabon) to working at an international level focusing on a range of related concerns such as WWF, or Greenpeace
