Question

Biodiversity

Ecologists are interested in quantifying different kinds of biodiversity. In each of the two studies outlined here, which kind of biodiversity are ecologists studying?

Ecologists establish 20 small areas, called plots, randomly scattered across a California grassland.

They count the number of different plant species present in each plot.

By noting how many species appear in the plots, the ecologists are able to estimate the number of species in the entire grassland.

a. Genetic diversity

b. Functional diversity

c.Ecosystem diversity

d. Species diversity

Ecologists draw blood samples from basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus) specimens caught from a single large population in the Atlantic Ocean.

From each blood sample, the ecologists isolate DNA.

Comparing several DNA sequences across the individuals that were sampled, the ecologists are able to estimate the variation in DNA sequences in the entire population.

a. Genetic diversity

b. Ecosystem diversity

c. Species diversity

d. Functional diversity

One way to think about the importance of biodiversity is simply to think in terms of natural capital: the roles that genes, species, ecosystems, and ecological processes play in supporting human society and a healthy biosphere.

Which of the following are benefits provided by biodiversity? Check all that apply.

a)Controlling pests

b)Providing medically useful chemicals

c)Keeping topsoil fertile

d)Eliminating the ozone hole

Answer 1

Genetic Diversity refers to the diversity of genetic structure within a single species.

Species Diversity refers to the diversity or number of species present within a community.

Ecosystem Diversity refers to the diversity of ecosystems and their corresponding communities over large geographical location.

Functional Diversity refers to the diversity of interaction of organism with living and non-living components of its ecosystem.

Based on these background we can say that-

The study on California grassland community to find the number of plant species within this community is - d. Species Diversity

The study on the variation of DNA sequences of basking shark's entire population is the- a) genetic diversity

Biodiversity provides benefits through -

a) Controlling pests- e.g. Biodiversity contains several enemies of pests, such as beetles for caterpillar and lady bugs for thirps.

b) Providing medicinally useful chemicals- Several plants, fungi, microorganism etc. are useful sources of several medicinal compounds and antibiotics. e.g Quinine from cinchona tree is useful for treatment of malaria. Penicillin is produced from the fungi Penicillium.

c) Keeping topsoil fertile- Biodiversity take important role in increasing top soil fertility. Earthworms and other macro organisms increases pores in soil, that enables proper movement of air and water in soil. Microbes and small insects help in decomposition of dead organic matter and release of nutrients in top soil. Several nitrogen fixing microbes play important role in fixing of nitrogen in soil in forms uptakable by plants.

But there is no direct role of biodiversity in preventing ozone layer depletion, it more dependent on reduction of the use of CFCs produced by human for refrigeration and other different purposes which were otherwise would not have been present in nature. Biodiversity is much more important in controlling GHG emission and controlling global warming and climate change.