Help
Options
Didn't know it?
click below
click below
Knew it?
click below
click below
Don't Know
Remaining cards (0)
Know
retry
shuffle
restart
0:00
Embed Code - If you would like this activity on your web page, copy the script below and paste it into your web page.
Normal Size Small Size show me how
Normal Size Small Size show me how
IBESS Term 7
IB ESS Topic 3 Term 7
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Biodiversity | a broad concept encompassing the total diversity of living systems, which includes the diversity of species, habitat diversity and genetic diversity. |
| Species diversity | in communities is a product of two variables: the number of species (richness) and their relative proportions (evenness). |
| Species Richness | the number of species in a community |
| Species Evenness | the relative proportions of species in a community |
| How is species diversity determined | through the use of diversity indices including Simpson's Diversity or Trent Index. When comparing communities, low diversity could be indicative of pollution, eutrophication or recent colonization of a site. |
| Habitat diversity | refers to the range of different habitats in an ecosystem or biome. |
| Genetic diversity | refers to the range of genetic material present in a population of a species. |
| Why is quantifying biodiversity important? | •Quantification of biodiversity is important to conservation efforts so that areas of high biodiversity may be identified, explored, and appropriate conservation put in place where possible. |
| How do you assess the impact of human activities in a given community | By assessing changes to biodiversity over time (i.e. before and after an event, up or down-stream of pollution) |
| Comment on the relative values of biodiversity data. | Using the Simpson's Diversity Index, a low number indicates lower biodiversity than a community with a higher number. This may identify the effects of pollution, eutrophication or recent colonization of the site. |
| The basis of biodiversity | arises from evolutionary processes |
| Describe biological variation | variation arises randomly and can either be beneficial to, damaging to, or have no impact on, the survival of the individual. |
| Describe the 4 steps in natural selection | 1. random mutations cause variation. 2. Some animals are fitter than others. 3. Fitter individuals have an advantage and will reproduce more successfully. 4. The offspring of fitter individuals may inherit the genes that give the advantage |
| How does biodiversity evolve? | natural selection will contribute to the evolution of biodiversity over time. 'survival of the fittest'. |
| Describe speciation | The formation of new species when populations of a species become isolated and evolve differently from other populations. |
| Describe some methods of species isolation | environmental changes forming barriers such as mountain formation, changes in rivers, sea level change, climatic change or tectonic plate movements. |
| List the causes of mass extinctions | tectonic plate movements, super-volcanic eruption, climatic changes (including drought and ice ages), and meteorite impact—all of which resulted in new directions in evolution and therefore increased biodiversity. |
| Explain why the 6th mass extinction event is so different | first extinction caused by one species (humans) and their actions (deforestation, hunting, urbanisation). It is thought to be an extinction event as current extinction rate is much higher than background extinction rates (1 species per million spp per yr) |
| Why is it hard to identify the total number of species on Earth? | Estimates of the total number of species vary. They are based on mathematical models, which are influenced by classification issues and a lack of finance for scientific research, resulting in many habitats and groups being significantly under-recorded. |
| Name some of the human activities contributing to species loss | habitat destruction, introduction of invasive species, pollution, overharvesting and hunting. AND HIPPO |
| Why is the IUCN significant? | International Union of Conservation of Nature (IUCN) publishes data in the “Red List of Threatened Species” in several categories. By quantifying the need to conserve a species. |
| What are the factors used to classify a species on the IUCN Red List? | population size, degree of specialization, distribution, reproductive potential and behaviour, geographic range and degree of fragmentation, quality of habitat, trophic level, and the probability of extinction. |
| Why are tropical biomes a concern for conservation? | Most tropical biomes occur in LEDCs and there is conflict between exploitation of the biodiverse species, sustainable development and conservation. |
| Discuss three different species that are extinct, critically endangered and one species where the conservation status has been improved | Tasmanian Tiger, Pangolins, Siberian Tiger |
| Name an area of biological significance (a biodiversity hotspot) and describe the threats to this region. | Kakadu National Park - next door to Jabiluka Uranium Mine (exploitation), now being invaded by Cane Toads (invasive species) and is named as a conservation area (national park) and is Heritage Listed. |
| List the types of conservation | Species vs Habitat conservation or a mixed approach. |
| When discussing species vs habitat-based conservation, what concepts are the arguments based around? | Aesthetic, ecological, economic, ethical and social factors. |
| What are the criteria considered when designing a protected area | Size, Shape, Edge Effects, Corridors, Proximity to potential human influence |
Created by:
DrLeeAGS
Popular Earth Science sets