Download Biological Diversity and Survival

Biological Diversity and
Survival
Topic 1
Biological Diversity
Biological Diversity
In an area the number and
variety of organisms is referred
to as the biological diversity
(biodiversity).
Variation is the differences
that can be seen between two
organisms.
Biodiversity
A Wealth of Diversity
In natural communities all
organisms interact with each other
These interactions can be
beneficial to all organisms
Biodiversity is important for the
health and survival of natural
communities.
Species
To be classified as a species
organisms must:
– Interbreed in nature
– Their offspring are able to breed
Variation Within Species
Organisms of the same species
have similar appearances
Variation always exists in
species, this means that there
are differences between
individuals in a species.
Variation Among Species
Some species show similar
characteristics. E.g.
– All insects have 6 legs
– All birds have feathers
This is due to speciation, where
one common ancestor has evolved
into different species depending on
the conditions in the area where
they lived.
Variations for Survival
Every organisms has adaptations
that enable it to survive in its
environment.
Structural Adaptations:
– An inherited physical feature that
helps the organism survive
Behavioural Adaptations:
– An inherited characteristic behaviour
that helps an organism survive
– Adaptation Video
The Value of Variation
Areas with greater biodiversity are
often more able to tolerate changes
in the environment.
– E.g. Mountain Pine beetle destroys
lodgepole pine trees.
– This means a forest of lodgepole pine
would be decimated by mountain pine
beetle. But a forest with a variety of
trees would survive.
Measuring Biological
Diversity
Diversity Index
– Compares the diversity of species
in an area with the total number
of organisms in the same area.
It is used to check the health
of an ecosystem.
Classification System
Organisms are grouped into
one of 5 kingdoms:
– Monera
– Protista
– Fungi
– Plant
– Animal
Naming Organisms
The name includes two parts:
– The first part is the genus
•A genus is a group of organisms that
are very similar
– The second part is the species
•A species is a smaller, more limiting
classification group.
Taxonomy
Histograms vs. Bar Graphs
You may remember that bar
graphs allow you to compare a
numerical quantity with some
other category. For instance,
you may use a bar graph to
illustrate the numbers of
different types of flowers in a
meadow.
Histograms vs. Bar Graphs
Histograms are another kind
of graph that uses bars to
display data. Histograms may
be used to show numbers of
organisms of certain sizes.
Histograms vs. Bar Graphs
How does a bar graph differ from a
histogram?
– The categories on the x-axis of a
histogram represent grouped
continuous data such as time, mass,
distance, or height.
– For instance, if you wanted to look at
the height distribution in a sample of
pea plants, you could use a histogram
to display the data.
Histograms vs. Bar Graphs
Histograms are similar to Bar graphs
because they have:
–
–
–
–
A title.
Labels for each axis.
The scales on each axis.
The bars of equal width.
Histograms are DIFFERENT from bar
graphs because:
– There are NO SPACES between bars.
– The bars are for intervals.