Topic 2.4/3.1 - Introduction to biodiversity

Question 1

What is biodiversity?

Answer 1

Biodiversity is the variation amongst living organisms in a given area.

Question 2

What are the three types of diversity?

Answer 2

• Genetic diversity
• Species diversity
• Habitat diversity

Question 3

Explain genetic diversity

Answer 3

The variation in genetic characteristics within a gene pool

Question 4

Explain species diversity

Answer 4

The number of living species in a given ecosystem

Question 5

Explain habitat diversity

Answer 5

The range of different habitats in a given biome (number of niches)

Question 6

Explain how greater habitat diversity can lead to greater species diversity

Answer 6

As a greater habitat diversity creates more niches (abiotic and biotic factors that make an area habitable) which allows more species types to realise these niches and inhabit the spaces in a given biome.

Question 7

Explain secondary succession

Answer 7

A natural or human disturbances affects a climax community (one that is very biodiverse and stable) into one with low biodiversity and is unstable. R-Strategists approach and colonise these unstable conditions (low amount of niches) and reproduce thousands of time over a short amount of time to return the composition of the ground to one that is fertile. Then an intermediate habitat is created which gradually becomes more stable as varied species create new niches which are then realised, increasing biodiversity through species diversity and habitat diversity. Then R-strategists are replaced with K-strategists; and these K-strategists are more stable in an ecosystem. Overall, productivity (the amount of energy transferred into a biomass) is lower as succession occurs, as pioneer species’ aim is to create and reproduce as much as they physically can, whereas k-strategist species aim to thrive, live long, and produce biomass over long periods of time. i.e. oysters reproductive cycle in comparison to chimpanzees.

Question 8

What are the differences between primary and secondary succession?

Answer 8

Primary succession refers to the creation of a new ecosystem that was previously uninhabited.

Secondary succession is the process of community development on a previously colonized, but disturbed or damaged ecosystem

Question 9

How is species diversity measured?

Answer 9

Species richness * species evenness

Question 10

Define endemic

Answer 10

Species that is solely found within one country/area