Biodiversity
What is the definition of biodiversity?
the variability among living organisms from all sources including, inter alia, terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are a part; this includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems.
What does the latin root word bio mean?
living things
What is a biome?
Large areas on the planet that have distinctive plants and animals living there that are adapted to the environment and climate of that biome.
What is energy used for?
•Energy is required for animals to carry out work. This may include foraging for food, avoiding predators, migrating or keeping warm.
•Some energy is used to keep bodily functions working, building, or repairing new tissues, and for the production of gametes in reproduction
What is a community?
A community consists of all the plants and animals that occupy a particular area.
The individual populations within a community interact with each other.
The community is a constantly changing and dynamic unit, which passes through a number of stages from its origin to its climax.
The transition from one stage to the next is called succession.
•This is a qualitative description…
•Eg “how many different species can I see?”
•More species does not always mean more biodiversity…why not?
What are biotic factors?
The living parts of the ecosystem
What does it mean to be 'adapted'?
It means that the plants and animals have developed (over time) special characteristics that allow them to survive and be successful in their environment.
Name 3 Cycles in an ecosystem>
Carbon, Water, Phosphorus, Nitrogen
What is succession?
•The evolution of plant communities at a site over time- from pioneer species to climax vegetation
•At each stage of the succession the plant community alters the soil and microclimate, allowing the establishment of another group of species
•One community of plants is therefore replaced by another as the succession develops
•Eventually a climax community is reached where the vegetation is in a state of equilibrium with the environment and there is no further influx of new species
What is Species Evenness?
•This is a quantitative measurement
•It is a measure of the abundance of individuals in each species.
What are abiotic factors?
The non living parts of the ecosystem
What is a food web?
A food web is made of interconnected food chains.
What percentage of energy is passed from one trophic level to the next?
10%
Describe the Pioneer Stage?
■Seeds are blown in by the wind or washed in by the sea.
■The rooting conditions are poor due to drought, strong winds, salty sea-water immersion and alkaline conditions created by sea shells
■The wind moves sand in the dunes and this allows rainwater to soak through rapidly
What is the formula for Simpsons Diversity Index?
D = 1 – [ ∑ ( n / N)2 ]
n = number of individuals
N = total number of individuals
Name the levels of organisation in order.
Hint - start with cell and finish with biome.
Cell
Tissue
Organ
Organ System
Organism
Population
Community
Ecosystem
Biome
What is parasitism?
one organism benefits (the parasite), while the other is harmed (host)
What are arrows used for in a energy flow diagrams?
Map the path of the sun's energy as it transfers through the trophic levels of an ecosystem and is transformed into heat by metabolism
What does it mean if D (Simpsons diversity index) is high?
A high value for D is ‘good’ and means the habitat is diverse, species rich, and able to withstand some environmental impact.
Name 5 Biotic and 5 Abiotic Factors
Biotic: Predators, Parasites, Plants, Trees, Prey, Algae, Carnivores, Fungi
Abiotic: Water, Rocks, Soil, Climate, Weather, Air, Temperature, Rainfall, Sunlight
What is commensalism?
one organism is benefits while the other is not affected
Name 3 Parts of the carbon cycle
Photosynthesis, Cellular Respiration, Diffusion, Weathering, Combustion,