Chapter 11 - Biodiversity

Question 1

Why is maintaining biodiversity important?

Answer 1

It is essential in maintaining a balanced ecosystem for all organisms (trees, plants, fungi and animals)

Question 2

What is the importance of a balanced ecosystem for people?

Answer 2

Provide us with food, oxygen and other materials needed for survival

Question 3

What are the levels of biodiversity?

Answer 3

Habitat, species and genetic

Question 4

What is habitat biodiversity?

Answer 4

Refers to the number of different habitats found within an area

Question 5

What are the two components of species biodiversity?

Answer 5

Richness - the number of different species
Evenness - a comparison on the number of individuals of each species

Question 6

What is genetic biodiversity?

Answer 6

The variety of genes which make up a species

Question 7

What is sampling?

Answer 7

Taking a measure of a limited number of individuals present in an area

Question 8

Why do we sample?

Answer 8

To give us an estimate for the number of organisms in an area without having to count them all

Question 9

What is abundance?

Answer 9

The number of individuals within a species present in one area

Question 10

What does it mean to take a random sample?

Answer 10

To select an individual by chance where each individual has equal chance of being selected

Question 11

What are the types of non-random sampling?

Answer 11

Opportunistic - a sample of convenience (may not represent the whole population)
Stratified - population divided into groups based on characteristics, then a random sample taken from each group
Systematic - using a line transect or belt transect to see how a habitat changes over a distance