1. 3.1 Measuring Biodiversity (Page 89-94)

2. 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.

3. Key Concepts
Biodiversity is the number and variety of organisms found within a specific region.
Scientists have identified about 2 million species on Earth.

4. 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!

5. 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.

6. Sustaining Biodiversity
An ecosystem can sustain biodiversity only if individual species and their habitats are protected or preserved

7. Measuring Biodiversity
4 Methods for measuring biodiversity:
Canopy fogging
Quadrat sampling
Transect sampling
Netting

9. 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

10. 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

11. Hotspots of Biodiversity
A biodiversity hotspot is a place where there is exceptionally large number of species that live in a relatively small area

12. Hotspots of Biodiversity

13. 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

14. 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

15. Practice
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