Biodiversity

Question 1

What is Biodiversity?

Answer 1

The measure of the range in different plants, animals fungi and other microorganisms in the world

Question 2

What is a habitat?

Answer 2

A place where individuals in a species live

Question 3

What is habitat biodiversity?

Answer 3

The range of different habitats in which species live

Question 4

What must a species be able to do to count as a real species?

Answer 4

Produce fertile offspring

Question 5

What are the two types species biodiversity?

Answer 5

Species Richness

Species Evenness

Question 6

What is species richness?

Answer 6

The number of different species in a habitat

Question 7

What is species evenness?

Answer 7

How many of a species is in an area in relation to other species

Question 8

What is genetic biodiversity?

Answer 8

The variation between individuals in the same species

Question 9

Give an example of a species where there is lots of genetic biodiversity

Answer 9

Dogs

A range of different breeds that can be completely different in size, appearance and behaviour

Question 10

What are the different types of sampling?

Answer 10

Random

Non Random:
Opportunistic
Stratified
Systematic

Question 11

How would you carry out random sampling?

Answer 11

Divide area into grid

Use a random number generator to create coordinates for areas to sample

Question 12

What are the advantages and disadvantages of random sampling?

Answer 12

Pros - Reduces Bias

Cons - May not cover all areas of a habitat equally

Question 13

How would you carry out Opportunistic sampling?

Answer 13

Sampler decides to study a certain area based on prior knowledge

May deliberately sample an area that they can see contains a particular species

Question 14

What are the advantages and disadvantages of opportunistic sampling?

Answer 14

Pros - Quick and easy

Cons - Data may be biased as sampler may study more bright species that catch the eye

Question 15

How would you carry out Stratified sampling?

Answer 15

Divide the habitat into areas that appear different (Grass and bracken would be separated)

Sample these areas individually

Question 16

What are the advantages and disadvantages of stratified sampling?

Answer 16

Pros - Ensures all areas of a habitat are sampled fairly

Cons - Some small areas of the habitat may become over represented

Question 17

How would you carry out systematic sampling?

Answer 17

Samples are taken at fixed intervals across the habitat

Line and Belt transects are used for this

Question 18

What are the advantages and disadvantages of systematic sampling?

Answer 18

Pros - very useful when measuring the effect of a factor (like a pond) on the habitat

Cons - Only species on the line or within the belt are counted so some may be under-represented

Question 19

Why might it be important to use a range of different sampling techniques?

Answer 19

Random sampling is required to ensure there is no bias

However, if the area is not homogenous (even) for example one area is nearer to a water source, then stratified sampling could help to show these differences

Question 20

When might you use a quadrat?

Answer 20

When measuring the ground cover of a certain species of plant

Normally when the plant is too small to be easily counted (different flowers, weeds etc)

Question 21

What is a quadrat?

Answer 21

A square frame that is used to estimate the number of individual plants in a habitat or the percentage cover of that organism

Question 22

What is a transect?

Answer 22

A line taken across the habitat

You measure off this line and it is used to measure changes in distribution along the line

Question 23

What is the difference between a line and a belt transect?

Answer 23

In a line transect you would lay out the line and then measure all the things touching the line at set intervals

Whereas, in a belt transect you would lay out the belt and then measure along the belt using quadrats at set intervals

Question 24

Why can it be difficult to measure the the distribution of animals?

Answer 24

Large animals can sense your presence before you see them and hide

Smaller animals like insects can also sense your presence and are often too small too count accurately

Question 25

How might you measure the distribution of different insect in a field?

Answer 25

Measure out a random area in the field Use sweep nets in this area to catch insects in the grass Empty the contents of the net onto a white sheet to easily count the insects

Question 26

What is a pooter used for?

Answer 26

To collect insects that you have caught in a sweep net so that you can count them easily without them flying away

Question 27

How might you measure the distribution of insect in a tree?

Answer 27

Lay out a white sheet on the floor Hit the tree with a stout stick Collect the fallen insect in a pooter

Question 28

What is a Tullgren Funnel and how might you use it?

Answer 28

Place leaf litter into the funnel A high above it dries it out and warms it up which drives the insects downwards They will fall through a mesh and into a jar beneath the funnel

Question 29

How could you estimate populations of larger animals?

Answer 29

Using mark-and-recapture technique Capture a sample number of animals and mark all of them Wait a period of time and Capture another sample of animals Total pop = no. of 1st capture x no. of 2nd capture / no. of marked in second capture

Question 30

How could you calculate genetic diversity?

Answer 30

Calculating the number of loci in one individual that are heterozygous

Question 31

Give examples of human factors affecting biodiversity

Answer 31

Human population growth Agriculture Climate Change

Question 32

How has human population growth impacted biodiversity?

Answer 32

We demand more food and consumer goods than other animals We use the environment to our advantage and alter ecosystems to provide ourselves with food As a result we often impact ecosystems greatly and reduce biodiversity

Question 33

How has agriculture impacted biodiversity?

Answer 33

Modern agriculture relies on monoculture (growing one species) and selective breeding which both reduce biodiversity Monoculture reduces the natural species richness and species evenness Selective breeding reduces genetic diversity as it favours individuals with one specific characteristic meaning the species can be less adaptable to change

Question 34

What is genetic erosion?

Answer 34

Where selecting for specific characteristics makes others rarer and they can die out This reduces the size of the gene pool and is called genetic erosion

Question 35

How is climate change impacting biodiversity?

Answer 35

Changes in environment put stress on organisms Only the ones who adapted to this change are surviving The ones who are not adapted are dying This is reducing the gene pool

Question 36

Why are agricultural crops particularly at risk from climate change?

Answer 36

We have genetically engineered the crops to produce high yield in a particular environment (the current environment) This means they lack genetic variation so a very few of them would be able to cope if there were a change in environment So climate change would put stress on a higher proportion of the population

Question 37

What has happened to the rate of extinction in recent years?

Answer 37

It is rising rapidly Humans are destroying habitats and thus greatly reducing biodiversity which is causing extinction 20% of all species alive today could be extinct by 2030

Question 38

Why might a more complex habitat with more species diversity be able to withstand change better than a simple habitat with less diversity?

Answer 38

Because there is great interdependence between species Many species feed off another or vice versa In a complex habitat, other similar species may be able to replace one if it starts to fall in numbers e.g If a bird feeds off a range of insects, and one particular insect species falls in numbers. They can simply eat more of another species

Question 39

What is a keystone species? give an example.

Answer 39

A species that has a disproportionate impact on their environment compared to their abundance A predator that limits the population of herbivores so that vegetation isn't overgrazed If this predator is lost then it will have catastrophic impacts on all the other species in that environment

Question 40

Why could the beaver be considered a keystone species?

Answer 40

Beavers build dams that trap water and flood the area behind, creating a still water pool. This creates a completely new habitat where many different species thrive If the beaver were to die out the dams would fall and the water would become fast-flowing which would destroy many of these species

Question 41

Give some important reasons to maintain biodiversity?

Answer 41

biodiversity provides genetic diversity, these genes could be used to develop medicines for incurable diseases We need biodiversity to maintain our atmosphere and allow us to grow crops Aesthetic value of the environment may be lost

Question 42

What is conservation?

Answer 42

Aims to help endangered species survive in order to maintain biodiversity

Question 43

What is conservation in situ?

Answer 43

Conservation that is done in the natural habitat of the species

Question 44

What is conservation ex situ?

Answer 44

Conservation that takes place outside the natural habitat of the species

Question 45

Give some examples of different types of conservation in situ

Answer 45

Legislation - passing laws to stop activities such as hunting or logging. This should allow a population to grow naturally Wildlife Reserves - designated areas for the conservation of habitats and species

Question 46

How might conflict arise from nature reserves?

Answer 46

Animals coming out of the reserve to raid crops People continue to hunt protected animals (poaching) Illegal harvesting of timber and other plants Tourists feeding protected animals to leaving litter

Question 47

Give some examples of wildlife reserves in the UK

Answer 47

National parks - protected areas of the most beautiful areas of countryside that anyone can visit National Nature Reserves - Protect sensitive features of the environment and enable research and education Sites of Special Specific Scientific Interest (SSSI's) - Areas that are protected so that research into them can be continued Local Nature Reserves - smaller scale, run by local councils Marine Conservation Zones - Protected areas in the sea in order to protect endangered marine species

Question 48

What are the advantages of in situ conservation?

Answer 48

Conserved in their natural environment The biodiversity that is protected is truly representative of the original habitat Protects natural and cultural heritage Allows management of natural habitats so that integrity is maintained Facilitates scientific research May be possible to reverse negative impacts on the habitat and restore natural integrity

Question 49

What are the disadvantages of in situ conservation?

Answer 49

Endangered habitats may be fragmented which could reduce the chances of survival The population may have already lost a lot of its genetic diversity The conditions that caused the species to become endangered may still be present The area can become rife with poachers and tourists who cause disturbance in the habitat

Question 50

Give examples of conservation ex stiu

Answer 50

Zoos Seed Banks Botanic Gardens

Question 51

What is the aim of zoos in terms conservation

Answer 51

They aim to to increase the numbers of endangered species through captive breeding programmes With the hope to reintroduce them back into the wild in the future They can also conduct research into these species to help them in the future

Question 52

What are the advantages of ex situ conservation?

Answer 52

Individuals protected from poaching Health of the individual is monitored and they can receive medical assistance if needed Genetic diversity of the population can be measured Selective breeding can be done to increase genetic diversity In vitro fertilisation can be used to increase the chances of reproductive success they can be bred to increase the numbers of an endangered species The sites can be used as tourist attractions to raise funds for future projects Sites can be used for education

Question 53

What are the disadvantages of ex situ conservation?

Answer 53

A captive population will always have limited genetic diversity Animals can be exposed to a wide range of diseases They are living outside their natural habitat Nutritional issues can be hard to manage Animals may not behave normally when raised in captivity The correct environmental conditions may be hard to achieve Can be very expensive There is no guarantee that the individuals will survive reintroduction to the wild

Question 54

Why is the conservation of plants often easier than that of animals?

Answer 54

Most plants will have a dormant stage (as a seed) which is easy to maintain: Seeds can be collected with little disturbance to the wild Seeds can be easily stored Plants often breed asexually A botanic garden can increase the numbers of a species very quickly through tissue culture

Question 55

What is the largest, ex situ conservation project in the world?

Answer 55

The millennium seed bank contains seeds from every plant species known to man

Question 56

What conditions are the seeds at the millennium seed bank stored in?

Answer 56

Very dry and freezing conditions This provide the longest storage time

Question 57

What is CITES and what do they aim to do?

Answer 57

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species It aims to: Regulate and monitor trade in species of plants and animals Ensure trade does not endanger the survival of them Ensure trade of wild plants for commercial purposes is prohibited Ensure correct permits are held by those trading in plants and animals

Question 58

What are the Countryside Stewardship Scheme and the Environmental Stewardship Scheme?

Answer 58

A scheme to help improve natural beauty, restore habitats and improve public access in the UK Payments were given to farmers to replant hedgerows, rebuild drystone walls and to protect their land