Species Richness & Area Relationship
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Questions and Answers

What is the approximate number of genetically different strains of rice known in India?

  • 50,000 (correct)
  • 100,000
  • 20,000
  • 5,000

    • Which region is noted for having greater amphibian species diversity?

  • Eastern Ghats
  • Sundarbans
  • Himalayas
  • Western Ghats (correct)

    • How many plant and animal species have been described according to the IUCN (2004)?

  • 2.5 million
  • 1.5 million (correct)
  • 1 million
  • 2 million

    • What does the variable Z represent in the equation log S = log C + Z log A?

    <p>Slope of the line (regression coefficient)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following ecosystem types is NOT mentioned as part of India's ecological diversity?

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

    What is the estimated range of total species waiting to be discovered on Earth, according to extreme estimates?

    <p>20 to 50 million</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which range best describes the typical Z values found in the species-area relationship for smaller areas?

    <p>0.1 to 0.2</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the risk associated with the current rates of species loss as mentioned?

    <p>Loss of ecosystem services</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to the slope of the species-area relationship when analyzing very large areas like continents?

    <p>It steepens significantly</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to Robert May, what is the scientifically sound estimate of global species diversity?

    <p>7 million</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is stability in a biological community difficult for ecologists to define?

    <p>There is no consensus on what factors contribute to it</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why are the slopes of the regression line similar across different taxonomic groups?

    <p>They are driven by the same environmental factors</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is an example of ecological diversity found in India?

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

    What does a steeper slope (higher Z value) imply about the species-area relationship?

    <p>More species accumulate at a faster rate with increasing area</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What has traditionally been believed about communities with higher species diversity?

    <p>They tend to be more stable</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of the Y-intercept C in the species-area relationship equation?

    <p>It indicates the starting point for species richness when area is zero</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to species diversity as one moves away from the equator?

    <p>It decreases towards the poles.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which location has the highest number of bird species mentioned?

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

    How does the biodiversity of tropical forests compare to temperate forests according to the content?

    <p>Tropical forests have up to 10 times more species.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the estimated number of insect species potentially undiscovered in tropical rainforests?

    <p>Two million</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is considered the greatest biodiversity location on Earth?

    <p>Amazonian rainforest</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which factor contributes to the greater biological diversity in the tropics?

    <p>More stable climate.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which region is likely to have the least number of bird species based on the examples provided?

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

    What defines the latitudinal range for the tropics mentioned in the content?

    <p>23.5° N to 23.5° S.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one proposed reason for higher species diversity in tropical regions compared to temperate regions?

    <p>Tropical regions provide a more constant environment.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the content, how does solar energy relate to species diversity in tropical regions?

    <p>More solar energy contributes to higher productivity, which may increase diversity.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of relationship exists between species richness and explored area, as noted by Alexander von Humboldt?

    <p>Rectangular hyperbola relationship with a limit.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following hypotheses suggests that temperate regions are less favorable for species diversification than tropical regions?

    <p>Temperate regions are less predictable and constant.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What factor is not associated with the hypothesis for higher species diversity in tropical regions?

    <p>Frequent glaciations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the term 'niche specialization' refer to in the context of species diversity?

    <p>Adaptation of species to specific environments leading to diversity.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements best describes the relationship between species richness and area?

    <p>Species richness increases until a certain area is reached.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which characteristic of tropical environments contributes to consistent species diversity?

    <p>Stable and predictable conditions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How many biodiversity hotspots are currently recognized worldwide?

    <p>34</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What percentage of the Earth's land area do biodiversity hotspots cover?

    <p>2%</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following regions is NOT one of the biodiversity hotspots located in India?

    <p>Amazon Rainforest</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of conservation involves taking threatened species out of their natural habitat?

    <p>Ex situ conservation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How many biosphere reserves does India currently have?

    <p>14</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which method is NOT involved in ex situ conservation of plants?

    <p>In situ preservation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following areas is known for its sacred groves that protect rare and threatened plants?

    <p>Khasi and Jaintia Hills</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a significant benefit of protecting biodiversity hotspots?

    <p>Diminished risk of mass extinctions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Species Richness & Area Relationship

    • Logarithmic relationship: Species richness (S) and area (A) are linearly related on a logarithmic scale, following the equation log S = log C + Z log A.
    • Slope (Z): The slope of the line, Z, is the regression coefficient, which typically falls between 0.1 and 0.2 for various taxonomic groups and regions.
    • Steeper slopes: For larger areas, like entire continents, the slope becomes much steeper, with Z values ranging from 0.6 to 1.2. This signifies a higher rate of species increase per unit area increase.

    Biodiversity Patterns & Importance

    • Latitudinal Gradients: Species diversity generally decreases as you move away from the equator towards the poles. Tropics typically exhibit higher diversity compared to temperate or polar regions.
    • Species-Area Relationships: Species richness increases with increasing area explored up to a certain limit. The relationship follows a rectangular hyperbola.

    Species Diversity and Ecosystem Functioning

    • Species Richness and Stability: There is no definitive answer to whether more species in a community directly leads to greater stability. Historically, ecologists believed that communities with more species tended to be more stable.

    Biodiversity Measurement Levels

    • Genetic Diversity: The variety of genes within a species. Example: India has over 50,000 genetically distinct rice strains and 1,000 mango varieties.
    • Species Diversity: Diversity at the species level. Example: The Western Ghats have greater amphibian species diversity compared to the Eastern Ghats.
    • Ecological Diversity: Diversity at the ecosystem level. Example: India's diverse ecosystems, including deserts, rain forests, mangroves, and coral reefs, contribute to its high ecological diversity.

    Species Richness on Earth

    • Estimated Species: There are slightly over 1.5 million species described, but estimates for undiscovered species vary widely, ranging from 20 to 50 million.
    • Tropical Focus: A significant proportion of undiscovered species are likely found in tropical regions. Biologists use statistical comparisons between temperate and tropical species richness in well-studied groups to estimate global diversity.
    • Global Species Diversity: A more conservative estimate places global species diversity at around 7 million.

    Biodiversity Hotspots

    • Biodiversity Richness: Biodiversity hotspots are regions with exceptionally high species richness.
    • Habitat Loss: They are also areas facing accelerated habitat loss.
    • Number of Hotspots: There are 34 recognized biodiversity hotspots worldwide, covering less than 2% of the Earth's land area but harboring a significant portion of global species diversity.
    • India's Biodiversity Hotspots: India has three biodiversity hotspots: Western Ghats and Sri Lanka, Indo-Burma, and the Himalayas.

    Biodiversity Conservation Efforts in India

    • Protected Areas: India has designated 14 biosphere reserves, 90 national parks, and 448 wildlife sanctuaries to protect biodiversity.
    • Sacred Groves: Traditional practices in many cultures, including in India, have involved setting aside sacred groves with protected trees and wildlife. Example: Sacred groves in the Khasi and Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya.

    Ex situ Conservation

    • Threatened species: Threatened animals and plants are removed from their natural habitats and placed in special settings to protect them.
    • Zoological Parks & Botanical Gardens: Such facilities serve as ex situ conservation spaces.
    • Advances in Ex situ Conservation: Advancements include cryopreservation (storing gametes for long periods), in vitro fertilization, and tissue culture methods for plant propagation.
    • Seed Banks: Seed banks store diverse genetic strains of commercially important plants for long periods.

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    Biodiversity and Conservation PDF

    Description

    Explore the crucial relationship between species richness and area in this quiz. Understand the logarithmic correlation and identify patterns in biodiversity across different regions. This quiz will also delve into the implications of biodiversity for ecological health and species conservation.

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