Module 4 - Biodiversity

• What is the order of biodiversity

  Biosphere, Biome, Ecosystem, Community
• Biosphere


  contains all ecosystems
• Biome


  Defined area with similar species/climate
• Ecosystem


  defined area with a similar species and climate
• community


  group of organisms
• Allele


  Different forms of a gene
• Polymorphism definition


  Genetic variences within a population

  
  

  Multiple forms of a single gene that exist in an individual or among groups
• monomorphism


  All individuals have the same allele for a given gene
• species richness


  the number of individuals of each species
• species evenness


  how similar the population size of each species is
• which species evenness/richness is the best indicator for biodiversity


  species evenness
• random sampling


  samples are selected by using random numbers to reduce bias
• 3 types of non random sampling

  Opportunistic, stratified, systematic.
• opportunistic sampling + -

  scientists select organisms that are readily available (easy samples)

  
  

  + easy ad quick

  - unreliable and may prove inaccurate
• stratified sampling + -

  population is divided and put into subgroups

  
  

  + ensure each subgroup is represented

  - cant confidently classify every member of the population in the subgroup
• Systematic sampling + -

  used when there is a gradual change in the environment

  
  

  + minimises biased samples

  - over/under rep of particular patterns
• Reasons for maintaining biodiversity

  aesthetic, economic, ecological
• in situ conservation


  conservation methods within the natural habitat.
• ex situ conservation


  conservation of species outside natural habitat
• example of in situ and ex situ conservation

  In situ - Wildlife reserve

  
  

  ex situ - botanical gardens, seed bank
• What is one way zoos contribute to conservation?

  Actively participate in maintaining breeding programmes of endangered species
• How do zoos help preserve genetic diversity?

  By rotating animals between zoos to increase the gene pool