1.1 Importance of Biodiversity Flashcards

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1
Q

Biodiversity has three levels.
(a) List the three levels

A

Genetic diversity, Species diversity and Ecosystem diversity

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2
Q

Genetic Diversity and Importance

A

sum of all forms of genes present in a particular species
-allows populations to ADAPT to changes in environmental conditions and evolve over time
-helps ensure the survival of a species (avoids monoculture, protects against disease/pathogens)

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3
Q

Species Diversity and Importance

A

variety of species + relative abundance of the species in an area
-allows ecosystems to SURVIVE environmental changes (drought, plague & disease outbreaks)
-each species contributes to the whole ecosystem and helps the ecosystem to be successful

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4
Q

Why is high species diversity important?

A

Helps maintain ecosystems
-e.g. predators have prey to eat

Helps maintain ecosystem functions
-e.g. different species of wetland plants help filter water, prevent shoreline erosion & provide habitats for fish

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5
Q

Ecosystem Diversity and Importance

A

refers to a diverse range of habitats, the various organisms that live in the habitats, and the relationships that connect them
-biotic and abiotic components
-e.g. forest contains many different types of ecosystems within it
-helps species to THRIVE

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6
Q

Why is high ecosystem diversity important?

A

High ecosystem diversity= High species diversity
-diverse habitats can support more species

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7
Q

Why is high species diversity important in ecosystems?

A

High species diversity= stronger ecosystems
-ecosystems can withstand disturbances better (e.g. forest fires, drought)

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8
Q

Ecosystem Diversity

A

-different types of ecosystems within a given area
-biotic and abiotic components
-forest may contain many different types of
ecosystems within it:
Ex. Forest Floor Shrub Layer
Leaf Litter Canopy
Spring Fed Pond

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9
Q

Pollinators

A

-Insects, Birds, Bats
-Increase plant genetic biodiversity
-fruits/vegetables
(Bees pollinate around 1/3 of all fruits/vegetables we eat!)

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10
Q

Products we get from biodiversity

A

-Aspirin from willow, Antibiotics from fungi, Anti-cancer drugs from many plants i.e. Rosy periwinkle)
-Rubber, waxes, oils

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11
Q

Ecosystem services

A

-Ecosystems filter water, cycle nutrients, clean the
air, prevent flooding, and prevent erosion
-Ecosystems also help modify climate

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12
Q

When scientists or farmers selectively breed
an organism for certain traits, which type of
biodiversity are they manipulating?

A

Genetic Diversity

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13
Q

Products are often developed from living
organisms.
(a) List three such products.
(b) Identify the organism each was developed
from.

A

yeasts
-produces bread, wine, beer, and milk products

cattle fat (tallow)
-used in wax paper, crayons, margarine, paints

sheep wool
-shirts, socks, yarn

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14
Q

Name four natural services that ecosystems
provide for the biosphere

A

-cycle carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen.
-clean air, purify water, control erosion, prevent floods, and modify climate

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15
Q

How might the loss of biodiversity negatively
affect humans?

A

no bees–> decrease in meats,eggs,vegetables,fruits

no trees–> no clean air, no wood

loss of potential medicines, foods, and products

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16
Q

Why is the use of pesticides considered a
dilemma for farmers?

A

kills honeybees which pollinates their crops

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17
Q

Today, the fishing industry locates fish with
satellites, spotter airplanes, and sonar systems
that detect objects underwater. What
impact do you think this fishing equipment
might have on the diversity of marine species?

A

-this equipment kills aquatic animals, so it will reduce the diversity of marine species and cause them to reduce in population size

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18
Q

Why is it important to maintain wild
populations of crop plants such as corn
and wheat?

A

scientists often use genes from wild populations of corn and other crop plants to introduce important
characteristics, such as resistance to disease or pests, into genetically uniform crops

-they need to be maintained so that other plants can inherit the resistant charateristics in the gene pool which will help them withstand changes in the environment

19
Q

Give an example of a type of organism that
humans are dependent on for survival. How
would our lifestyles change if this organism
became extinct?

A

honeybees

-a world without bees could struggle to sustain the global human population
-our supermarkets would have half the amount of fruit and vegetables
-trees and plants would seriously struggle to grow
-our diets would change
-malnutrition
-cost of food would skyrocket

20
Q

Examples of genetic diversity in a forest

A

-different traits within organisms of the same
species

e.g. red striped beetles vs. green striped beetles, blue fish vs blue and red fish

21
Q

Examples of species diversity in a forest

A

-different species in the ecosystem

e.g. fish, birds, trees, mushrooms, plants, beetles, raccoons

22
Q

Examples of ecosystem diversity in a forest

A

e.g. river, trees, dirt, fallen logs

23
Q

What makes honeybees a keystone species?

A

Keystone species are species that have a disproportionately large effect on the ecosystems in which they live, such as the honeybee.

-without honeybees, there would be a lot of negative impacts on the ecosystems they inhabit
-e.g. no pollination(causes a lot of problems)

24
Q

Are humans keystone species?

A

the human species can be considered a keystone species

-they dominate other species and can cause population crashes
-if humans become extinct, ecosystems would function very differently
-would change species populations (human
activities cause extinction)

25
Q

What is Biodiversity?

A

-variety of living organisms
-millions of different species on earth

26
Q

species definition

A

able to interbreed and produce fertile/viable offspring

27
Q

with species, mating occurs _______

A

naturally

28
Q

why is a mule not considered a species?

A

it is an infertile hybrid

29
Q

Why can’t Tamiascurius hudsonicus and Scurius carolinensis breed?

A

because they are different species and genera

30
Q

genetic diversity

A

-the diversity of DNA patterns within a species
-allows populations to adapt to changes in their
environments
-Ex. Disease resistance in humans

31
Q

importance of genetic diversity

A

-Current farming practices use genetically uniform crops –> monocultures
-Any new pests/diseases that occur can potentially destroy entire crops
-Ex. Irish Potato Famine 1840s

32
Q

Inbreeding of one species will _____ genetic diversity

A

reduce

33
Q

Problems that can arise from inbreeding:

A

Epilepsy, breathing problems, twisted stomachs, hip dysplasia, etc.

34
Q

With the Spanish flu killing an estimated 50 Million people, how were some people NOT as severely affected as others?

A

genetic diversity

35
Q

species diversity

A

the number of different species within a given area

36
Q

rainforests have ____ species diversity

A

HIGH

37
Q

arctic has ___ species diversity

A

LOW

38
Q

Each species _____ to the ecosystem

A

contributes

39
Q

Many species depend on one another for survival, called…

A

symbiotic relationship

40
Q

Importance of high species diversity

A

-helps maintain ecosystems
Ex. Insect eating birds benefit from a large diversity of prey items

41
Q

How does high species diversity help maintain ecosystem functions?

A

Ex. Different species of wetland plants help filter water, prevent shoreline erosion, provide habitat for fish etc.

42
Q

ecosystem diversity

A

different types of ecosystems within a given area

-biotic and abiotic components
-forest may contain many different types of
ecosystems within it

43
Q

High Ecosystem Diversity =

A

High Species Diversity
(Diverse habitats can support more species)

44
Q

High Species Diversity =

A

Stronger Ecosystems
(Ecosystems can with withstand disturbances ex. Forest fires & Drought)