11.4 Calculating Biodiversity Flashcards
(7 cards)
1
Q
What is the diversity of organisms present in an area proportional to?
A
The stability of the ecosystem
2
Q
What index is used to calculate the biodiversity of an ecosystem?
A
Simpson’s index of diversity
3
Q
What does a value of 0 mean in Simpson’s index of biodiversity?
A
No diversity
4
Q
What does a value of 1 mean in Simpson’s index of biodiversity?
A
Infinite diversity
5
Q
Why is it important to also preserve habitats with low biodiversity?
A
To conserve rare species that are too specialised to survive elsewhere
6
Q
What are the features of a habitat with low biodiversity? (Environment, species number, adaptations, food web, impact of changes)
A
- Low species richness, dominating species
- Stressful and extreme conditions
- Species are highly adapted (sometimes extremophiles), few ecological niches
- Simple food web
- Environmental changes have major effects on the ecosystem
7
Q
What are the features of a habitat with high biodiversity? (Environment, species number, adaptations, food web, impact of changes)
A
- High species richness and evenness
- Few specific adaptations to the environment
- Mild conditions
- Complex food webs
- Environmental changes have relatively small effects on the ecosystem
- Ecosystem is more stable
