Biodiversity

• Biodiversity = range of living things
• Name the 3 types of biodiversity ?

  Species

  Genetic

  Habitat
• Species diversity = the number of different species in a particular area at the particular time
• Genetic diversity = variety of genes amongst all the individuals in a population of one species
• Habitat diversity = range of different habitats
• Species richness = the number of different species in a particular area at a particular time
• What is an advantage to good genetic diversity ?

  Lots of alleles for different genes, so the population has a better chance of being able to adapt to environmental changes
• What are 3 causes of genetic diversity decreasing ?

  Genetic bottle necks

  Captive breeding

  Founder effect
• Founder effect = small number of individuals from a population colonise a new isolated area. This decreasing gene pool and increases chance of inbreeding
• Captive breeding = small number of breeding individuals, same alleles will be passed on
• Genetic bottlenecks = only a small number of population survive an event, gene pool is decreased as only survivors can pass o their alleles
• How do you calculate genetic diversity ?

  Examine the polymorphic genes within isolated population. The higher the proportion of polymorphic gene loci, the larger the genetic diversity.
• Polymorphic gene = gene that has more than one allele
• Monomorphic gene = gene with only one allele
• What does simpson index measure ?

  Species evenness and richness
• When you have calculated Simpson index, what does a large value of D represent ?

  The larger the value of D, the greater the species diversity
• What must you consider when getting a representative sample ?

  sample size is large enough

  random sampling to avoid bias
• Opportunistic sampling = sampling organisms that are conveniently available
• What is an issue with opportunistic sampling ?

  Bias, so unlikely to be representative of population
• Stratfied sampling = population / habitats can be seperated into groups and then random sampling occurs
• Systematic sampling = used when there is a change in distribution of species within the habitat
• What can quadrants be used to sample ?

  slow moving organisms and plants
• name 4 methods of animal sampling ?

  Pond dipping

  sweeping nets

  pitfall traps

  pooters
• species evenness = the relative amount of each species in a population
• Name 3 factors that affect biodiversity ?

  Human population increase

  Agriculture

  Climate change
• Name 3 reasons to maintain biodiversity ?

  ecological (all species are interdependant on each other )

  asthetic

  economical
• in situ conservation = conservation that occurs within the natural habitat
• Give an example of in situ conservation ?

  wildlife reserve
• What is a benefit to insitu conservation ?

  maintains genetic diversity
• Which is the preferred form of conservation ?

  insitu
• Ex situ conservation = removing organisms from their natural habitat to try and protect them
• Give 3 examples of ex situ conservation ?

  botanical gardens

  seed banks

  captive breeding
• Botanical gardens = provide optimal growing conditions for plants
• Seed banks = store seeds in water +temperature controlled environments. Back ups of genetic material incase of extinction or need for cross breeding
• What is the Purpose of CITES ?

  Regulates the trade of international animals, plants and their products, it prevents endangered species being transported
• What 3 agreements were made at the Rio convention on bio diversity ?

  countries must come up with strategies for sustainable development

  stabilise greenhouse gas emissions

  prevent destruction of fertile land into desert and reduce effect of drought
• Why is the lack of genetic diversity between crops an issue for farmers ?

  The crops are highly susceptible to disease.

  There are fewer adaptation opportunities

  The soil becomes depleted of nutrients.
• What is a keystone species ?

  A species that has a key role in maintaning the structure of a community.
• name 2 aesthetic reasons to maintain biodiversity ?

  Enrichment of lives and pleasure

  Inspiration for artists
• Name 3 advantages to insitu conservation ?

  Maintains genetic diversity

  Cheaper than exsitu

  Preserves species relationship with other species.