Sandwich Posted March 26, 2013 Report Share Posted March 26, 2013 Environmental Systems & Society: What is the definition of biodiversity and what factors might determine the conservation status of a species on the Red List (hint: there are 4)? Biodiversity: the amount of biological living diversity PER UNIT AREA (this last bit is intrinsic to the definition!). Biodiversity includes diversity of species, habitat and genetics (again, you need to know all these three!). Factors that may determine the conservation status of a species on the Red List include...Population sizeGenetic diversity within a speciesNumber of adults capable of reproducingDegree of endemicityRarityGeographic rangeQuality of the habitatHabitat sizeSpecialised habitats (for instance where the prey of the species is rare)Threats to the habitat or species Remember you need to know at least one example of a specific named animal on the Red List and which, if any, factors put it specifically on the red list. You can find the Red List here: http://www.iucnredlist.org Revision Tip!You can group the Red List factors to help remember them into 5 that relate to reproduction (genetic diversity, reproducing adults, endemicity, rarity, population size) and 5 that relate to habitat and location (geographic range, quality of habitat, size of habitat, specialised habitat & threats to habitat). Even if it is a 2 mark question remember that they may well want you to give at least 4 of these factors. Any questions, please ask either here or in the Biology & ESS forum 1 Reply Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.