Biodiversity within a community

Question 1

Explain biodiversity (1)

Answer 1

1. Refers to number and variety of living organisms in a particular area

Question 2

Explain species diversity (1)

Answer 2

1. Refers to number of different species and the number of individuals of each species within any one community

Question 3

Explain genetic diversity (1)

Answer 3

1. Refers to the variety of genes possessed by the individuals that make up a population of a species

Question 4

Explain ecosystem diversity (1)

Answer 4

1. Refers to the range of different habitats

Question 5

Explain species richness (2)

Answer 5

1. A measure of species diversity (but species diversity takes abundance of individuals of a species into account)
2. The number of different species in a particular area at a given time

Question 6

Explain how species diversity index relates to the stability of an ecosystem (4)

Answer 6

1. A high species diversity index means a more stable ecosystem (one that is less affected by change such as climatic factors)
2. Because it is more likely to have species that can survive and adapt to change and maintain a community
3. A low species diversity index means a less stable ecosystem (one that is more dominated by climatic factors)
4. Because it is less likely to have species that can survive and adapt to maintain a community