Biodiversity Flashcards
(10 cards)
1
Q
what is biodiversity
A
- biological complexity of a community
- measured by species richness, and abundance
- can be used to plan genetic, chemical and ecosystem diversity
2
Q
what is species richness
A
- number of species present in a specific area
3
Q
what is species abundance
A
- number of individuals of a species relative to the total number number of individuals in all species in the area
4
Q
Genetic Diversity
A
- basis upon which evolution and adaption and adaption take place
- potential for adaption is based upon genetic diversity
5
Q
Chemical Diversity
A
- different species produce various substances
- important for health and use in pharmaceuticals
6
Q
ecosystem diversity
A
- number of different ecosystems in the biosphere or in a specific area
7
Q
what is the current level of diversity
A
- 1.5m eukaryotes named, out of the estimated 8.7m (<20%)
- belief that naming of prokaryotes has barely begun
- complex process of barcoding and naming, estimated to take around 500 years
8
Q
distribution of biodiversity
A
- greatest diversity around the equator
9
Q
biodiversity hotspots
A
- geographic areas in which a large number of endemic species are present
- criteria: 1500 or more plant endemic species, 70% of area impact by humans
- 34 currently
10
Q
what does endemic mean?
A
found in a specific area and restricted in size
