Species Diversity UNIT 2

Question 0

What does an ecosystem consist of

Answer 0

All the living (biotic) and non living (abiotic) things that can be found in a certain area. The living things within form a community

Question 1

What is species diversity

Answer 1

The number of different species and the abundance of each species within a community

Question 2

The higher the species diversity of some species, the higher the species diversity of other species. Why is this?

Answer 2

There are more habitats and a larger and more varied food source

Question 3

Diversity can measured to help us…..

Answer 3

Monitor ecosystems and identify areas where it has been dramatically reduced

Question 4

What is the simplest way to measure species diversity

Answer 4

Count up the number of different species

But that doesn’t take into account the population size of each species

Species that are in a community in very small numbers shouldn’t be treated the same as those with bigger populations

Question 5

Species diversity is also measured using the….

Answer 5

Index of diversity

Question 6

How is index of diversity calculated

Answer 6

Using an equation that takes different population sizes into account.

Question 7

Deforestation decreases…. Why?

Answer 7

Specific diversity

Deforestation directly reduces number of trees, sometimes number of different tree species. Also destroys habitats, some species could lose their shelter and food source. Means species will die or forced to immigrate to another suitable area, further reducing diversity. The migration of organisms into increasingly smaller areas of remaining forest may temporarily increase species diversity in those areas

Question 8

If all the individuals are of the same species the diversity is….

Answer 8

1

Question 9

Species diversity is also decreased by…..

Answer 9

Agriculture

Question 10

Benefits of deforestation

Answer 10

Wood and land for homes to be built

Local areas become more developed by attracting businesses

Question 11

Risks of deforestation

Answer 11

Diversity is reduced, species could become extinct
Less carbon dioxide stored because of fewer plants and trees which contributes to climate change
Many medicines come from organisms found in rainforests, possible future discoveries are lost
Natural beauty is lost

Question 12

Benefits of agriculture

Answer 12

More food produced
Food is cheaper to produce, so food prices lower
Local areas become more developed by attracting businesses

Question 13

Risks of agriculture

Answer 13

Diversity is reduced due to monoculture, woodland and hedgerow clearance, pesticides, herbicides use

Natural beauty is lost

Question 14

Diversity data can be used to see….

Answer 14

Which species or areas are being affected by human activity. This info can be used by society to make decisions about human activities

Question 15

Index of diversity takes into account…

Answer 15

The number of species and the number of individuals within the species. Some species may be present in low numbers

Question 16

What are pesticides

Answer 16

Chemicals that kill pests feeding on the crops. This takes away the food source for the organism feeding off the pests = reduces species diversity

Question 17

What is hedgerow removal

Answer 17

Increase area of farmland by turning lots of smaller fields into fewer bigger fields. Reduces diversity due to destruction of habitats

Question 18

What are herbicides

Answer 18

Chemicals that kill unwanted plants. Takes away food source for the organisms that eat the plants= reduces species diversity

Question 19

What is woodland clearance

Answer 19

Increases area of farmland by removing woodland areas. Reduces species diversity through the destruction of habitats

Question 20

What is monoculture

Answer 20

Growing fields with one type of crop. This supports fewer species, as fewer food sources and habitats= reduces species diversity