Biodiversity and Ecosystems
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Questions and Answers

What is the main effect of a highly stratified forest on species diversity?

  • It creates homogeneity in plant species.
  • It reduces the number of species present.
  • It provides a wide range of habitats. (correct)
  • It increases the risk of extinction.

    • Stable environmental climates promote lower biodiversity than unstable climates.

    False

    What term describes the total set of environmental factors that determines species distribution?

    Ecological Niche

    Deep oceans are characterized by lower diversity of fish and invertebrates due to their _______ environment.

    <p>stable</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following terms with their definitions:

    <p>Fundamental Niche = Full potential habitat without competition Realized Niche = Actual habitat and resources used Generalists = Species with a broad niche Specialists = Species with a narrow niche</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following factors contributes to decreased risk of extinction for species?

    <p>Large geographic distributions supporting high population sizes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does biodiversity primarily refer to?

    <p>The variety and variability of living organisms</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Biodiversity only encompasses species diversity.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Higher biodiversity is found in shallow-water areas due to their environmental instability.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the three levels of biodiversity mentioned?

    <p>Species diversity, genetic diversity, ecosystem diversity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of species has adaptations that allow them to survive in a wide range of conditions?

    <p>Generalists</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Biodiversity includes diversity within species, between species, and of __________.

    <p>ecosystems</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements is true about biodiversity?

    <p>It contributes to poverty reduction and sustains human livelihoods.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the levels of biodiversity with their descriptions:

    <p>Species diversity = Variety of different species in a region Genetic diversity = Differences in DNA composition within a species Ecosystem diversity = Variability among ecosystems in a region</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The Convention on Biological Diversity was established in 1990.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does biodiversity play in achieving the Millennium Development Goals?

    <p>It supports food security, human health, clean air and water, and economic development.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a benefit of biodiversity?

    <p>Decreases ecosystem function</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Habitat diversity has no effect on species diversity.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What term describes the connections that human beings subconsciously seek with nature?

    <p>biophilia</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A diverse topography often leads to increased rates of __________ speciation.

    <p>allopatric</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following types of diversity with their descriptions:

    <p>Habitat diversity = Variability of habitat types in an area Species diversity = Number of different species in an ecosystem Genetic diversity = Variability of genes within a species Ecosystem diversity = Variety of ecosystems found in a geographic area</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a factor that influences habitat diversity?

    <p>Complex topography</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Mountainous regions can support a variety of environments due to their diverse topography.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one consequence of habitat diversity on species?

    <p>Increased species diversity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What effect does the presence of seed predators near parent trees typically have?

    <p>Reduces the chance of seed survival.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    High primary productivity in an ecosystem does not influence its biodiversity.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Name one biological cause of biodiversity loss.

    <p>Habitat loss, introduction of exotic species, or over-harvesting.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The introduction of exotic species can lead to the decimation of indigenous wildlife, as seen with _______ brought to Australia.

    <p>foxes, rabbits, and cats</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following causes of biodiversity loss with their descriptions:

    <p>Habitat loss = Fragmentation due to human activities Introduction of exotic species = Decimation of native species Over-harvesting = Systematic removal of natural resources</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements about seeds transported away from the parent tree is true?

    <p>They have a greater chance of survival.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Biodiversity loss is primarily caused by natural disasters.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role do herbivores play in promoting plant diversity?

    <p>Herbivores promote diversity through coevolution with plants, pollinators, and seed dispersers.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following plants is commonly found in South Africa?

    <p>Wild rosemary</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Co-evolved species can survive independently of each other.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the classification for species that are found in only one biogeographic region?

    <p>Endemic</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The fruits of Moabi (Baillonella toxisperma) are eaten, and oil is extracted from the seeds, while the bark is used for __________ purposes.

    <p>medicinal</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What term describes species that are found in three or four biogeographic regions?

    <p>Semicosmopolitans</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following biogeographic regions with their names:

    <p>Nearctic = 1 Neotropical = 2 Ethiopian = 3 Oriental = 4 Australian = 5</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The reduction of elephants in certain countries has positively affected the distribution of the Moabi tree.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the major impact of using a limited number of species in industrial agriculture and forestry?

    <p>Biological diversity reduction</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Stratification and Biodiversity

    • High biodiversity is supported by a highly stratified forest ecosystem.
    • Different plant species in each stratum create diverse food sources.

    Large Land Areas and Biodiversity

    • Large, continuous land areas in tropical zones contribute to high species diversity.
    • The Amazon rainforest is an example of a large continuous habitat allowing for large populations and distributions.
    • Large populations decrease the risk of extinction.

    Environmental Stability and Biodiversity

    • Stable short-term environmental climates (days, months, years) promote higher biodiversity.
    • Species living in stable environments adapt efficiently to resources.
    • Short-term and long-term variability in higher latitudes requires species to become more generalistic, leading to increased survival.

    Ecological Niches

    • Ecological niche refers to the role a species plays in a community.
    • Generalists have broad niches, while specialists have narrow niches.
    • Fundamental niche refers to the complete range of resources a species could utilize without competition.
    • Realized niche refers to the resources a species actually uses.

    Deep Oceans and Biodiversity

    • Deep ocean depths offer stable temperature and salinity but have lower fish and invertebrate diversity.
    • Shallow waters are environmentally unstable but have high biodiversity.
    • Saline lakes have low diversity of aquatic organisms.

    Biodiversity- Definition

    • Biodiversity encompasses the variety of life on Earth, including the differences between species, within species, and within ecosystems.
    • Biodiversity is essential for ecosystem services, human well-being, and cultural identity.

    Levels of Biodiversity

    • Species diversity: Measures the number or variety of species in a region.
    • Genetic diversity: Variation in DNA composition between individuals of a species.
    • Ecosystem diversity: Variety within and between communities, habitats, and landscapes.

    Benefits of Biodiversity

    • Biodiversity provides free ecosystem services.
    • Biodiversity maintains healthy ecosystem functions.
    • Biodiversity enhances food security.
    • Biodiversity provides traditional and pharmaceutical products.
    • Biodiversity supports tourism and recreation.
    • People value and seek connections with nature (biophilia).

    Controls of Species Diversity

    • Habitat Diversity: Species diversity is positively correlated with habitat diversity.
    • Habitat diversity increases resource gradients and niche space.
    • Habitat diversity is influenced by physical and biological environmental factors.
    • Topography influences habitat diversity at both small and large scales.

    Topography and Habitat Diversity

    • Undulating landscapes with diverse habitats support higher species diversity than flat, homogeneous habitats.
    • Mountainous regions have diverse environments, supporting diverse vegetation and promoting speciation.
    • Vegetation structure contributes to habitat diversity, varying horizontally and vertically.

    Productivity and Biodiversity

    • Regions with high primary productivity have high biodiversity.
    • High energy availability allows for specialized niches and a greater diversity of consumer species.

    Causes of Biodiversity Loss

    • Habitat Loss: Human intervention through fragmentation (roads, dams, settlements) leads to accelerated biodiversity loss.
    • Introduction of Exotic Species: Intentional or unintentional introductions can disrupt native ecosystems, causing extinctions.
    • Over-harvesting: Poaching, logging, and medicinal plant harvesting contribute to biodiversity loss.
    • Co-evolution problems:
    • Extinction of one species in a co-evolved relationship can lead to the extinction of the other.
    • Homogenization in Agriculture and Forestry: The use of limited species in industry reduces biodiversity.

    Biogeographic Regions

    • Biogeographic regions define areas with distinct plant and animal communities.
    • The world is divided into five major biogeographic regions:
      • Nearctic and Palearctic (Holarctic)
    • Neotropical
    • Ethiopian (African)
    • Oriental
    • Australian

    Biogeographic Distribution Patterns

    • Endemic species: Found only in a specific biogeographic region.
    • Cosmopolitan species: Found across multiple continents.
    • Semi-cosmopolitan species: Found across three or four biogeographic regions.
    • Macro-areal species: Have a large range within a biogeographic region.
    • Micro-areal species: Have a small range within a biogeographic region.

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    Biodiversity Past Paper PDF

    Description

    Explore the intricate relationships between biodiversity and various environmental factors such as stratification, land area, and ecological niches. This quiz delves into how these elements contribute to the stability and diversity of species, particularly in forest ecosystems like the Amazon rainforest. Test your knowledge on the roles species play and the importance of large, stable habitats.

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