Biodiversity 1

Question 1

Define population

Answer 1

Total number of organisms of one species that occupy the same ecosystem at the same time

Question 2

Define community

Answer 2

All the organisms of all species living and interacting together in the same ecosystem at the same time

Question 3

Define abiotic factors

Answer 3

Non living factors in a particular area

Question 4

Define biotic factors

Answer 4

Living factors in a particular area

Question 5

Define ecosystem

Answer 5

All the biotic and abiotic factors in a habitat

Question 6

Define niche

Answer 6

Role/ position of a species within a habitat

Question 7

Define biodiversity

Answer 7

The variety of organisms living in an enviroment

Question 8

Define Carrying capacity

Answer 8

The size of population of a species that an ecosystem can support

Question 9

Define habitat

Answer 9

Place where an organism lives

Question 10

Define species diversity

Answer 10

Number of different species and the number of individuals of each species within any one community

Question 11

Define genetic diversity

Answer 11

Variety of genes possessed by individuals that make up a population of a species

Question 12

Define ecosystem diversity

Answer 12

Range of different habitats from a small local habitat to the whole of the earth

Question 13

Define species richness

Answer 13

Number of different species in a particular area at a given time, in a particular community

Question 14

What does a stable ecosystem, an ecosystem with a high index of diversity looks like

Answer 14

. A large variety of different plant and / or animal species
. No monoculture, all the population sizes are roughly the same
. A large variety of habitats and niches for nesting and feeding
. Large variety of different food sources available

Question 15

Define random sampling

Answer 15

Reduced human bias, results are representative of whole area

Question 16

Define sampling bias

Answer 16

The sector may be influencing the area, organisms with the habitat that are being sampled. Random sampling reduces this

Question 17

Define chance

Answer 17

How likely an event can occur. Humans can influence chance by introducing bias into the results

Question 18

How do you carry out random sampling

Answer 18

1. Set up a grid axis using 2 tape measures at right angles to each other
2. Each meter is a marker
3. Using a random number generator select two numbers at random and use these numbers as co ordinates
4. At these co-ordinates place a frame quadrat
5. Organisms are identical using a key, animals can be counted to give information on abundance, absence or presence of species
6. Repeat process at different times of the day, season, month
7. Collect data on % cover using frame quadrat

Question 19

How do you carry out systematic sampling

Answer 19

1. To monitor change along a habitat
2. Place a line or belt transect across length of area
3. Quadrat is placed at regular intervals
4. Organisms ate identified using a key, animals are counted to give information on abundance, absence or presence of species
5. Repeat process at different times, day, season, month

Question 20

Describe the mark, release, recapture method when randomly sampling animals

Answer 20

1. Capture a sample of animals and count them, mark each one and release back into habitat
2. Ensure marking is not harmful
3. Allow time for animals to distribute before collecting second sample
4. Capture a second sample, count the total number which are marked in the second sample
5. Then use the following equation
6. Estimate of size of animal population = number in sample 1 × number in sample 2 / number of marked animals in sample 2

Question 21

What 6 assumptions must be correctly followed for the mark, release, recapture calculation to be accurate

Answer 21

1. Marked individuals between sample 1 and 2 are proportional
2. Marked individuals from sample 1 distributed evenly
3. No immigration or emigration
4. Few births/ death in population
5. Marking not toxic or conspicuous
6. Marking not lost or damaged