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Biodiversity Flashcards

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1
Q

What is biodiversity?

A

The variety of living species found in a habitat, ecosystem, or world. This includes three levels

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2
Q

What is a species?

A

A groupnof individual organisms that are similar in appearance, anatomy, physiology, biochemistry and genetics. The members are able to Interbreed to produce fertile offspring

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3
Q

What is a habitat?

A

The place where an organism lives that has a specific set of conditions

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4
Q

What is habitat diversity?

A

The number of different habitats in an area

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5
Q

What is species diversity?

A

The number of species present (species richness) and the number of individuals of each species present in the community (species eveness)

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6
Q

What is genetic diversity?

A

The genetic variation within a species. E.g different alleles

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7
Q

What is a sample?

A

An estimate for the whole habitat

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8
Q

What is random sampling?

A

This is usually where a grid system is set up using two measuring tapes. A random number generators cab then be used to obtain coordinates, then sample those locations

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9
Q

What are the three examples of non random sampling?

A

-Systematic
-Opportunistic
-Stratified

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10
Q

What is systematic sampling?

A

This is where samples are taken at regular intervals along a line to measure changes across a habitat. This can be done using a line or belt transect. This is usually done using a square quadrat

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11
Q

What is Opportunistic sampling?

A

Researchers decide to sample certain areas they feel are important, or not to sample areas that are inaccessible. This will cause the sample to be bias

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12
Q

What is Stratified sampling?

A

This is done in a habitat that we know has discrete patches with different types of organisms. We divide the habitat into areas then ensure quadrats are places evenly between the areas, proportional to their size (but places randomly within them)

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13
Q

How do you decide how many samples do to?

A

Depends on:
-Size of habitat
-Time available
-Number of species in the habitat
-Must be sufficient to give an accurate measure of the species and their abundance (At least 10)

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14
Q

What can quadrats be used for?

A

On slow moving animals and plants

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15
Q

What are point quadrats?

A

A quadrat that records all the species each pin touches as it is lowered through the vegetation. You can then calculate abundance and percentage cover

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16
Q

What is a square quadrat?

A

A square frame of fixed size that is divided into a grid of equal sections

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17
Q

How do you use quadrats?

A

1) Count the individual plants.
If this is easily seen, this is seen as an absolute measure
2) Estimate using frequency.
(Calculate the number of squares that have the species as a percentage)
3) Estimate the % cover of each species.
Estimate the percentage of the quadrat that is covered by the species
4) We can also Estimate abundance using a scale like ACFOR
(abundant, common, rare, frequent, occasional, rare)

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18
Q

How can you sample animals?

A

-Pitfall traps
-Sweep nets
-Poster
-Tree beating

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19
Q

What is a poster?

A

Used to catch small insects via suction.

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20
Q

What is a Sweep net?

A

Used to catch insects in long grass

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21
Q

What is a Pitfall trap?

A

A hole in the ground that insects cannot escape. This is used for small insects

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22
Q

What is tree beating?

A

Where you shake or beat a tree and collect dislodge insect on a white sheet

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23
Q

How do we estimate the size of animal populations?

A

We use the capture, mark, release, recapture method.
We capture and mark them.
We then leave for an appropriate time to allow for redistribution.
Then we take a second sample and measure how many were recaptured out of the sample.
We then use the equation:
N1 ×N2 ÷ Nm
N1 = no. In sample 1
N2 = no. In sample 2
Nm = number marked

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24
Q

What are some examples of abiotic factors?

A

Wind speed
Light intensity
Relative humidity
Soil pH
Temperature
Oxygen content in the water

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25
How do we measure species richness?
Use a qualitative survey and a suitable sampling technique to record all the species present. However this does not take into account then umber of individuals of each species present
26
How do we measure species eveness?
Use a quantitative survey. Use a suitable tech question to estimate the frequency of each species. For larger species they can be counted, for smaller ones, percentage cover may be more appropriate. High species eveness means that the population size of each species are close in number
27
What is simpsons index of biodiversity?
A measurement for biodiversity of a habitat that takes into account species richness and species eveness. This should be between the values of 1 and 0
28
What do the symbols represent in simpsons index of biodiversity?
n = the number of individuals of a certain species N = the total number of individuals of all species
29
What does a higher index of diversity mean?
-A more diverse habitat -Many different species live there -It is not dominated by one or two species -Small change to the environment would only affect one or two species, so the habitat is more stable
30
What is a gene?
A section of DNA that codes for the production of a polypeptide
31
What is genetic biodiversity?
The frequency of alleles in a gene pool or population
32
What do we call the different versions of a gene?
Alleles
33
Why is genetic diversity important?
Because it is essential for evolution of a species, and reduces the risk of an event impacting all members of a population in the same way. Without it, species could become extinct
34
What is a population bottleneck?
Where a small population is present due to e.g a natural disaster, hunting or poorly managed zoo programmes, resulting in Interbreeding. Even if the population rises, some of the alleles will still be lost
35
What is the founder effect?
When newly founded population don't always represent the genetic diversity in their sources
36
How do alleles increase?
-Mutations -Interbreeding with other populations
37
When does genetic biodiversity decrease?
-Selective breeding -Captive breeding programmes -Rare breeds -The founder effect -Cloning -Natural selection -Genetic drift -The bottleneck effect
38
What is genetic drift?
A random change in the frequency of alleles within a population over time
39
What is a locus?
Where alleles of the same gene are found
40
What is polymorphism?
A locus that has two or more alleles
41
What is the equation for proportion of polymorphic gene loci to work out genetic biodiversity?
Number of polymorphic gene loci ÷ total number of loci
42
What does the equation for proportion of polymorphic gene loci not show?
-The number of different alleles. It only says 1 or more -Doesn't take into account the frequency
43
What are some factors that affect biodiversity?
1) Human population: -Urbanisation isolates species -Pollution increases -Habitats are lost -Over exploitation of resources 2) Monoculture: -Loss of heritage varieties because they are worth less -Loss of local plants and animals 3) Disease 4) Climate change 5)Increased preditors: Causing a new selection pressure
44
Wjat is monoculture?
The growing of a single variety of crop
45
What are some aesthetic reasons to maintain biodiversity?
-High biodiversity makes land attractive which will attract visitors -Can lead to bigger economic advantages
46
What are some economic reasons to maintain biodiversity?
-to maintain the trade of genetic resources -to prevent soild depletion due to monoculture, which will help lower the cost of replenishing nutrients
47
What are some Ecological reasons to maintain biodiversity?
-To protect species: Especially Keystone species as all species rely on each other via e.g food chains -To maintain genetic resources: These provide us with daily essentials and allows us to adapt resources based on the environment.
48
What is a Keystone species?
A species that would cause an ecosystem to drastically change if it was removed
49
What is an ecosystem?
A self contained community of interacting organisms and their environment
50
What are endangered species?
A species that is likely to become extinct or at risk of extinction
51
What is in situ conservation?
When endangered species are conserved in their natural habitats
52
What are some advantages of in situ conservation?
-Establishing protected areas -Legislation -Controlling or preventing new predators -Protecting habitats -Restoring damaged plants -Promoting particular species, e.g by protecting their food -Conservation parks
53
What are some advantages of in situ conservation?
-Both the habitat and species are conserved -Larger populations can be protected -Less disruptive -The chances of repopulation are higher
54
What are the disadvantages of in situ conservation?
-Can be difficult to control certain factors
55
What is ex suti conservation?
When endangered species are conserved away from their natural habitat
56
What are some examples of ex situ conservation?
-Relocating organisms to a safer area -Breeding organisms in captivity and then releasing them -Botanic gardens -Seed banks -Zoos
57
What is a Botanic garden?
Controlled environments used to grow a variety of rare plants for conservation and research. Endangered species can be grown as a result and re introduced into the environment
58
What is a seed bank?
Where seeds are frozen and stored, providing a useful source of seeds if natural reserves are destroyed. An advantage is that they can be frozen for a long time without loosing fertility
59
What are some advantages of ex situ conservation?
-Can protect species in a controlled environment -Competition for resources are reduced -Individuals can be check on for e.g disease more easily -Breeding can also be manipulated
60
What are some disadvantages of ex situ conservation?
-Only a small number of individuals can be cared for -Difficult and expencive to create an environment -They may be more likely to catch diseases from humans -May be too used to human intervention when reintroduced -It is usually less successful because many species are unable to breed. This could be because they may not adapt to their new environment when moved
61
What does the CITES agreement stand for?
Convention on international trade in endangered species.
62
What is the CITES agreement and what does it do?
It is designed to increase international cooperation in regulating trade of endangered species. It aims to: -Regulate trade in selected species -Encourage trade of non endangered species -Permits regulated trade of non endangered species -Allows trade of artificially propagated plants
63
What is the disadvantage of CITES?
When a ban by CITES is put in place, this can cause the value of whatever they are gathering to increase, which may cause the reverse affect. It is also difficult to enforce internationally
64
What is the Country stewardship scheme?
A local scheme which offered government payments to farmers and landowners to encourage activities which promoted conservation. E.g: -Maintaining beauty and diversity of landscapes -Creating or maintaining hedgerows and woodlands to provide habitats -Providing opportunities for people to enjoy the countryside
65
What is the Rio convention on biodiversity?
Promotes sustainable development and acknowledgement for our requirement of genetic and biological diversity. It's aims are: -Conservation of genetic diversity -Sustainable use of nature -Share access to genetic resources -Shared transfer of scientific knowledge and technology -Encourages cooperation between members
66
What must undergo under the rio convention?
An environmental impact assessment
67
What does an environmental impact assessment aim to do?
-Avoid adverse impacts on the environment -Ensure potential environmental impact are taken into account -Promote international and national exchange of opinions and information This helps developers develop their proposal and make it more environmentally friendly

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