Biodiversity Basics
What is the term for the number and variety of organisms found in a specific region, like a pond or a forest?
Biodiversity
What is the definition of "species"?
"A group of organisms that have similar traits that are able to produce fertile offspring."
What is a biome?
A geographic area on Earth that contains ecosystems with similar biotic and abiotic features.
Name two aquatic ecosystems.
Ponds and Lakes; Streams and Rivers; Open Oceans; Coral Reefs; Estuaries; Intertidal Zones; Wetlands.
What is an example of something that is biotic?
plants, animals, fungi, bacteria, dead tree logs.
Lower biodiversity means
A significant reduction in the variety of life.
Name the three types of biodiversity
Genetic, species, ecosystem
Name three land biomes
Any three of: Deserts, Grasslands, Tropical Rain Forests, Temperate Rain Forests, Taiga, Tundra, Temperate Deciduous Forests.
Which aquatic ecosystem in the list is typically found where a river meets the ocean?
Estuaries.
If you were to survey biodiversity in a pond, name three items you would include.
Checklist items: plants (macrophytes), visible animals (amphibians/fish/invertebrates), water quality indicators (clarity/temperature), count of species observed.
Name one reason biodiversity is important
Provides food, clean air/water, pollination, medicines, habitat stability
Which method is NOT a way scientists measure biodiversity? Surveys, Aerial photos, Checklists, or Canopy Fogging.
Checklists
Tundra: give a possible location, one plant, and one animal
Location: Arctic regions (e.g., northern Canada, Siberia); Plant: Lichens or mosses; Animal: Caribou or arctic fox.
For the "Aquatic (Saltwater)" biome, give a likely location, one plant (or producer), and one animal.
Location: Coastal ocean regions; Plant: Seaweed or seagrass; Animal: Fish (e.g., snapper), marine mammals, or coral species.
Explain how canopy fogging helps scientists measure biodiversity of insects in a forest
Canopy fogging knocks insects from the canopy into sheets for collection, helping measure insect diversity high in trees.
Give an example of a human activity that can reduce biodiversity and explain how in one sentence.
How many species are there on Earth?"
"9 million."
For Temperate Deciduous Forest, give a likely location, one plant, and one animal
Location: Eastern North America, parts of Europe or East Asia; Plant: Oak or maple trees; Animal: White-tailed deer or squirrel.
Explain why coral reefs are often called "hotspots" of biodiversity
Coral reefs have many species living in a small area, complex habitats, and high productivity — they support many fish, invertebrates, and algae.
What is the definition of Abiotic?
"non-living things such as sunlight, water, soil, air, temperature, and rocks."
Explain how biodiversity at the species level differs from biodiversity at the ecosystem level
Species diversity-the number of species and the quantity of each species in a community.
Ecosystem diversity-the variety of ecosystems in a biosphere.
Describe two ways scientists measure biodiversity in a field study
Canopy Fogging, Transect Sampling, Mist Netting, Aerial Photos, Surveys, Quadrat Sampling, The Biodiversity Index.
Explain how grasslands (savanna) and deserts differ in rainfall and dominant vegetation
Grasslands receive moderate rainfall supporting grasses and few trees; deserts receive very low rainfall with sparse, drought-adapted plants (cacti, succulents).
Compare and contrast ponds/lakes and open oceans in terms of depth, sunlight penetration, and typical biodiversity
Ponds/lakes are shallower, allow sunlight to reach the bottom (in many areas), supporting photosynthesis throughout; open oceans are deeper with zones of light and dark, and typically have different communities with often lower species density per area but very high total species numbers across zones.
Why is Biodiversity important?
It helps to determine a more exact relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem health.