3.4.6 Biodiversity within a community Flashcards
(18 cards)
What is biodiversity?
The variety of living organisms an area
What is an ecosystem?
Communities of organisms interacting with the habitat
What is a habitat within an ecosystem?
The non-living (abiotic) section of an ecosystem
What is a community within an ecosystem?
The living (biotic) part of an ecosystem
What is a stable community?
Where the species and environmental factors are in balance so that population remains fairly constant
What is interdependence?
Where organisms in ecosystems rely on each other
What is genetic diversity? What does it take into account?
Variety of genes making up an organism.
Takes into account the different alleles that exist for those genes.
What does a greater genetic diversity mean?
Increases variation and allows for better adaptation to a changing environment. Also means they are more likely to survive their environments and reproduce.
What is species richness?
Number of different species living in an area.
What is a high species richness?
The more species present in an area, the higher species richness
What is the issue for using species richness as an indicator of biodiversity?
Doesn’t take into account the number of individuals of each species present.
What is index of diversity?
A formula taking account of species richness and the abundance of each species.
Answer produced shows the diversity of the area.
What would it mean if you got d =1 for the index of diversity?
No biodiversity
Index of Diversity formula
d = N(N-1) / Σn(n-1)
What does ‘N’ and ‘n’ mean in the index of diversity?
N = total number of organisms
n = total number of organisms of each species
Consequences of humans impacting biodiversity negatively
Number of food sources being reduced when plants or animals are destroyed
Habitats are removed or destroyed which revived shelter and food sources
Removal of habitats and food sources which causes organisms to die or migrate
Main causes of biodiversity reduction
Deforestation
Hedgerow Removal
Pesticides
Herbicides
Monocultures
Different biodiversity conservation methods
Giving legal protection to endangered species
Creating protected areas such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest in areas of high biodiversity which are threatened by agriculture
Schemes encouraging farmers to replant hedgerows and allow wildflower borders
