LEVELS OF BIODIVERSITY
Identify the level of biodiversity that refers to variation in alleles within a population.
Genetic diversity
Name the biodiversity index prescribed by the IB ESS syllabus.
Simpson’s Reciprocal Index
Define overexploitation.
Harvesting species faster than they can reproduce.
State the difference between a natural hazard and an environmental disaster.
Disasters result from hazards combined with human vulnerability.
Define in situ conservation.
Conservation within natural habitats.
Identify the level of biodiversity measured by the number of species in a community.
Species diversity
State one factor, other than species richness, that affects Simpson’s Index values.
Species evenness
State one way pollution can reduce biodiversity.
Toxicity, eutrophication, biomagnification.
Identify one natural hazard that can reduce biodiversity.
Volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, droughts, floods.
Define ex situ conservation.
Conservation outside natural habitats.
Identify the level of biodiversity that compares different ecosystems in a region.
Habitat diversity
Explain how sampling method can affect biodiversity calculations.
Sample size and location may not represent the whole ecosystem.
Distinguish between habitat destruction and habitat fragmentation.
Destruction removes habitat; fragmentation breaks it into isolated patches.
Explain how climate change has affected marine biodiversity (named example)
Coral Bleaching
State one advantage of protected areas.
Limits human activity and habitat loss.
Explain why genetic diversity is essential for populations facing environmental
Increases likelihood of survival and adaptation.
Explain why biodiversity data collected at different times may not be directly comparable.
Seasonal variation or population fluctuations.
Explain how invasive species reduce native biodiversity.
Competition, predation, lack of natural predators.
Explain why ecosystems with low biodiversity are more vulnerable to disasters.
Less resilience and fewer functional redundancies.
Explain why conservation strategies must operate at both local and global scales.
Species threats cross political boundaries.
Explain why conserving habitat diversity can protect species diversity indirectly.
More habitats support more niches and species.
Assess one limitation of using biodiversity indices to inform conservation decisions.
They simplify ecosystems and may overlook species importance.
Evaluate the role of human population growth in accelerating biodiversity loss.
Increased demand for land, resources, and energy.
Name the 5 types of pollution and one example on how it can negatively affect the economy
Air, Light, Noise, Soil and Water.
Describe the relationship between Core zone, Buffer zone, and Transitional zone
Core area: includes protected areas, as they act as reference points on the natural state of the ecosystems represented by the biosphere reserves.
Buffer zone: surrounds or is contiguous to the core area. Activities are organized so they do not hinder the conservation objectives of the core area, but rather help to protect it.
Transition area: the large outer area of a biosphere reserve where people live and work, using the natural resources of the area in a sustainable manner.