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Define the term biodiversity.
Biodiversity is the variety of life that exists in a specified area.
What are the levels at which biodiversity can be studied?
Biodiversity can be studied at the level of the:
ecosystem (or habitat)
species
genes
What is ecosystem diversity?
Ecosystem diversity is the range of different ecosystems, or habitats, within a particular area.
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Define the term biodiversity.
Biodiversity is the variety of life that exists in a specified area.
What are the levels at which biodiversity can be studied?
Biodiversity can be studied at the level of the:
ecosystem (or habitat)
species
genes
What is ecosystem diversity?
Ecosystem diversity is the range of different ecosystems, or habitats, within a particular area.
What are the components of species diversity?
Species diversity consists of a combination of:
species richness = the number of different species
species evenness = the relative abundance of each species, i.e. the number of individuals of each species
What is genetic diversity?
Genetic diversity is the number of different alleles of genes present in a species or local population.
True or False?
All of the species on Earth have been discovered, named and described.
False.
There are many species that are yet to be discovered, named and described.
True or False?
There are fewer species alive today than in the past.
False.
There are many more species alive today than have been alive in the past. This is shown in fossil evidence.
True or False?
The accuracy of species estimates depends on correct classification. (NOS)
True.
The accuracy of species estimates depends on correct classification, e.g. different species being incorrectly classified together will result in an underestimate of the number of species.
What are 'lumpers' and 'splitters' in taxonomy? (NOS)
Lumpers are taxonomists who are more likely to classify species together while splitters are taxonomists who are more likely to classify species separately.
Define the term anthropogenic extinction.
Anthropogenic extinction is extinction caused by human activities.
True or False?
Many scientists argue that we are currently experiencing a mass extinction event.
True.
Many scientists argue that we are currently experiencing a mass extinction event due to human activities.
True or False?
The current round of extinctions is the first in Earth's history.
False.
There have been five mass extinction events in the past, so the current round of extinctions could be the sixth mass extinction.
What are examples of species that have gone extinct due to human activities?
Species extinctions caused by human activities include:
North Island giant moa
Caribbean monk seal
You should know about one other example of your own choosing.
What caused the extinction of the North Island giant moa?
The North Island giant moa went extinct because it was hunted by humans for food. They may also have suffered the effects of habitat loss due to farming.
Why were Caribbean monk seals hunted to extinction by humans?
Caribbean monk seals were hunted to extinction:
for their meat
for oil
because they were easy to hunt
to provide scientific specimens
What is clear-cutting in the context of deforestation?
Clear-cutting is a practice where all the trees in an area are cut down and removed.
What are the main reasons for clear-cutting in the mixed dipterocarp forest of Southeast Asia?
Clear-cutting in Southeast Asia provides:
timber
land for agriculture, such as palm oil plantations
The loss of mixed dipterocarp forest is an example of ecosystem loss that you are expected to know about, along with one other example of choice.
What is the main function of IPBES in dealing with the biodiversity crisis?
IPBES produces reports that draw together evidence on biodiversity loss.
Why is repeat survey data important in biodiversity studies?
Repeat survey data is important in biodiversity studies to:
provide evidence that change is taking place
track changes in biodiversity over time
ensure that there is enough data to check reliability
What two aspects of biodiversity should be assessed in surveys?
In biodiversity surveys both species richness and species evenness need to be assessed.
Who are citizen scientists?
Citizen scientists are members of the public who help to gather data.
Why is peer review important for published scientific research? (NOS)
Peer review is important for published research to ensure that the experimental methods used are suitable, and that any conclusions match the data.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of using citizen scientists for data collection? (NOS)
An advantage of involving citizen scientists in research is that they can help to gather large volumes of data from many sites around the world.
A disadvantage is that citizen scientists may not always collect valid data due to a lack of training.
True or False?
Human population growth is the overarching cause of biodiversity loss.
True.
While there are multiple causes of biodiversity loss, all result from human population growth.
How has human population growth led to biodiversity loss?
Human population growth has resulted in biodiversity loss due to:
hunting and other forms of over-exploitation
loss of natural habitat due to urbanisation, deforestation and agriculture
pollution
spread of pests and disease
invasive alien species
What is in situ conservation?
In situ conservation involves protecting and managing natural ecosystems within their original locations, such as through protected areas, rewilding, and reclamation.
True or False?
Rewilding always requires human intervention to be successful.
False.
Rewilding can be either active, involving human intervention, or passive, allowing natural processes to restore ecosystems.
What is a protected area in the context of conservation?
A protected area is a defined geographical region, such as a national park or nature reserve, where human activities are restricted in order to benefit wildlife.
What are some examples of ex situ conservation methods?
Examples of ex situ conservation methods include:
zoos
botanic gardens
storage of genetic information in seed or tissue banks
How do zoos play a role in conservation?
Zoos play a critical role in conservation through captive breeding programs, scientific research, and reintroductions of species into the wild.
What is a a seed bank?
A seed bank is a facility that conserves plant diversity by drying and storing seeds in temperature-controlled conditions to preserve them for future use.
What does the EDGE programme focus on in prioritising species for conservation?
The EDGE programme focuses on species that are:
evolutionarily distinct
globally endangered
Define evolutionarily distinct in the context of the EDGE programme.
Evolutionarily distinct species have few close evolutionary relatives and represent a unique part of Earth's evolutionary tree that is not represented elsewhere.
Define globally endangered in the context of the EDGE programme.
Globally endangered species are those that face a high risk of extinction across their entire range, not just locally.
What other considerations should be taken into account when prioritising species for conservation, beyond their EDGE status? (NOS)
Considerations beyond a species' EDGE status when prioritising for conservation include issues that are:
ethical
environmental
political
social
cultural
economic issues
cultural significance