1. Biodiversity

2. Learning Objectives Success criteria
Understand biodiversity and how to sample plants and animals
Success criteria
Define the terms species, habitat and biodiversity
Explain how biodiversity may be considered at different levels; habitat, species and genetic D
Discuss current estimates of global biodiversity
Explain the importance of sampling in measuring the biodiversity of a habitat
Describe how random samples can be taken when measuring biodiversity

3. Key Term Definitions Species Habitat Biodiversity
A group of organisms whose members are similar to each other in morphology, physiology, biochemistry and behaviour; who can interbreed to produce fertile offspring
Habitat
Place where an organism or population lives
Biodiversity
Number and variety of living things to be found in the world/ecosystem/habitat

4. Biodiversity Biodiversity can be considered at different levels
Habitat
Range of habitats that different species live in
Species
Number of different species and the abundance of each species in an area
Genetic
Genetic variation between individuals of the same species (variation of alleles)

5. Global Biodiversity Discuss current estimates of global biodiversity
Catalogue of life
Current estimate of known species: 1,7300,000
Some scientist believe this is only 10% of total. Why?
Find new species
Evolution and speciation are continuing
Species becoming extinct
Only takes into account number of species not number of individuals or variation

6. Sampling Important in measuring the biodiversity of a habitat
Individuals too numerous to count all in habitat e.g. bacteria, fungi
Select small portion of habitat to study
Multiply number of individuals found by area

7. Measuring Biodiversity
Method for taking random samples
Take samples at regular distances across the habitat
Use random numbers generated by a computer (assign coordinates to habitat)
Select coordinates from a map of the area and use a GPS to find exact position in habitat
Number of samples depend on size of habitat and biodiversity (if comparing two habitats take same number in each)
Prepare table of results before start

8. Measuring Biodiversity: Small Plants
Measure percentage ground cover using a quadrat or percentage cover using a point frame (10 needles, each plant touching a needle counts as 1% cover)
Can measure abundance on ACFOR (abundant, common, frequent, obvious, rare) scale, not able to do stats on this
Transect
Line transect: along large habitat, record plants touching line at intervals
Belt transect: move quadrat along line

9. Measuring Biodiversity: Animals
Nets sweeping the ground
Trees: knock branches with stick and collect in plastic on floor

10. Measuring Biodiversity: Animals
Pitfall trap collects small soil animals
Tullgren funnel collects small animals from leaf litter
Light trap collects flying insects

11. Why Measure Habitats? Study to investigate effects of humans
Provide data to give assessments of environmental impact
Allow us to reduce our impact