Download 3.1 Measuring Biodiversity

3.1 Measuring Biodiversity
(Page 89-94)
Learning Goals
• I can explain the concept of biodiversity
and identify trends in biodiversity on Earth.
• I can explain how biodiversity is
measured.
• I can explain how to preserve biodiversity
and why preserving biodiversity is
important.
Key Concepts
• Biodiversity is the number and
variety of organisms found within a
specific region.
• Scientists have identified about 2
million species on Earth.
Key Concepts
• Scientists measure biodiversity using
several methods.
• There are places on Earth where there is
an exceptionally large numbers of species
in a relatively small area.
• Most biodiversity hotspots are in tropical
areas.
• Biodome II - Watch This!
What is Biodiversity?
• Biodiversity is the number and variety of
organisms found within a specific region.
• There are approximately 5 to 100 million
species on Earth.
Sustaining Biodiversity
• An ecosystem can sustain
biodiversity only if individual species
and their habitats are protected or
preserved
Measuring Biodiversity
• 4 Methods for measuring biodiversity:
– Canopy fogging
– Quadrat sampling
– Transect sampling
– Netting
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhapNu1WDms
Methods of Measuring
Biodiversity
• Canopy Fogging
– Effective when counting the
biodiversity of insects
– Insecticide is sprayed into
the top of a tree & when
insects fall they are
collected on a screen
• Quadrat Sampling
– A quadrat is a known
square area that is marked
using a pre-made square
– Different species and their
numbers within the quadrat
are counted
Methods of Measuring
Biodiversity
• Transect sampling
– Done using a transect line
(rope or tape) that has been
marked
– The line is unrolled within the
habitat and the number of
species along the line are
recorded
• Netting
– Fine mesh nets are used to
capture birds, bats & fish.
– Once captured, organisms are
identified; blood samples
maybe taken for genetic
analysis & organisms are
eventually released
Hotspots of Biodiversity
• A biodiversity hotspot is a place where
there is exceptionally large number of
species that live in a relatively small area
Hotspots of Biodiversity
Trends in Biodiversity
• Species richness tends to be higher near
the equator
– Warm temperatures
– Adequate precipitation
• Tropical rainforests have highest
biodiversity of any ecosystem
– Ex. Ontario has 1 species of hummingbird
while the Amazon rainforest has over 200
Preserving Biodiversity
• Protecting an ecosystem helps
preserve biodiversity as it prevents
houses and industries from being built
in the area
• This helps to maintain an ecosystem
where a variety of species can exist
Practice
• Page 94 # 1-8