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3.1 Practice Questions
1. Distinguish between biodiversity, species diversity, habitat diversity and genetic
diversity.
Biodiversity is the variety of forms of life on Earth. Species diversity is a measure of
the diversity within an ecological community that incorporates both species richness (the
number of species in a community) and the evenness of species' abundances. Species
diversity is one component of the concept of biodiversity. Habitat diversity is the range of
different habitats in an ecosystem, and genetic diversity is Range of genetic material present
in a species or population. Genetic diversity is
2. Explain how species diversity for an area may be calculated.
The species diversity for an area can be calculated by diversity indices such as the Simpson’s
Diversity Index. Simpson’s Diversity Index is a measure of diversity. In ecology, it is often used
to quantify the biodiversity of a habitat. It takes into account the number of species present, as
well as the abundance of each species. That is, the bigger the value of the Simpson's Index, the
lower the diversity. When comparing similar communities low diversity could indicate pollution,
eutrophication or recent colonization.
3. Outline the reasons why tropical biomes should be conserved.
Tropical biomes should be conserved because they have a measure of control over many
aspects of our environment, and are responsible for much of the terrestrial productivity,
which can be referred to as the “essential services” of natural forests. Due to timber
exploitation, slash and burn farming, and clearfelling for industrial use or cattle ranching
(particularly in Latin America), tropical forests are being destroyed at a rapid rate. More
than half of the world’s original tropical forests are already gone. Therefore, for the
preservation of biodiversity, renewable source of forest products (such as timber,
medicines), for the regulation of air quality, and for climate stabilization.
4. Define the terms genetic diversity, species diversity, and habitat diversity.
Genetic diversity: Genetic diversity is the total number of genetic teristics in
the genetic makeup of a species. It is distinguished from genetic variability, which
describes the tendency of genetic characteristics to vary.
Species diversity: Species diversity is a measure of the diversity within an ecological
community that incorporates both species richness (the number of species in a
community) and the evenness of species' abundances.
Habitat diversity: Habitat diversity refers to the range of habitats present in a region.
5. Explain how diversity indices can be used to measure the impact of human activities.
Diversity indices can be used to compare two similar habitats, however they can also be used to
monitor changes to biodiversity over time. Measurements can be taken at suitable intervals, for
example before and after large building projects, and used to assess the importance of the impact
of new housing developments, industry or other human activities in the area over a long
timescale. Quantifying biodiversity in conservation so that areas of high biodiversity or
particular interest because of their unique species can be identified. Only after this is it possible
to put in the appropriate measures to conserve species and their habitats).
6. Discuss the usefulness of providing numerical values of species diversity to
understanding the nature of biological communities and the conservation of biodiversity.
A key tool used by conservation biologists to assess the effect of the disturbance is use of
diversity indices, such as the Simpson’s index. Quantification of biodiversity in this way
this way is important to conservation efforts so that areas of high biodiversity are
identified, explored, and appropriate conservation put in place where possible. Areas that
are high in biodiversity are known as hotspots. They contain large numbers of endemic
species (species not found anywhere else), and so measures of biodiversity are essential
in identifying areas that should be protected against damaging human activities. An
example of a biological hotspot is Tumbes-Choco-Magdalena, an area that includes the
forests of the South American Pacific coast (from Panama to Peru and the Galapagos
Islands.