biodiversity and endemism
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BIODIVERSITY AND ENDEMISM
Biodiversity The variety of genes, species and
ecosystems in an area. It is a measure of the variety of living
things and their genetic variations. Totality of the genes, species and
ecosystems in a region.
The main aspects of biodiversity are Genetic diversity Species diversity and Ecosystem diversity
ASPECTS OF BIODIVERSITY
GENETIC DIVERSITYGenetic variability within one species.
SPECIES DIVERSITYNumber of different species in an area
ECOSYSTEM DIVERSITYThe range of different habitats, ecosystems and niches in an area.
SpeciesGroup of organisms with so many features
in common that they can mate and produce sexually viable offspring.
Species richnessNumber of different species in an
ecological community at a particular time.
Gene poolSet of all genes or genetic information in
any population.A large gene pool indicates extensive
genetic diversity and high chance of survival.
Measuring biodiversity within a habitat
Species richnessThe simplest way to measure
biodiversity is to count the number of different species in an environment.
Genetic diversityIf there are a large number of alleles
of each gene, then they have higher genetic diversity.
Simpson’s index It is a measure of diversity.
This takes into account the number of species present as well as the relative abundance of each species.
It is measured by using the formula
D = Σn(n - 1) N(N - 1)
where N = the total number of organisms of all species and
n = the total number of organisms of a particular species
from which Simpson’s Diversity Index, 1 – D, is found.
It ranges from 0 to 0.9999
High species diversity increases the chance of species survival.
Endemism and biodiversity The situation where a species is found
only in one particular area
Species of plants and animals which are found exclusively in a particular area is called endemic species.
Endemism occurs when species are separated and cannot interbreed.
There is a possibility to become two different species. (speciation)
Genetic diversity is very low.
Areas with many endemic populations are very vulnerable to the changes in the environment.
Example : red kangaroo found only in Australia
Biodiversity ‘Hotspots’
It is a biogeographic region that is both with significant reservoir of biodiversity and is threatened with destruction.