Date post: | 23-Dec-2015 |
Category: |
Documents |
Upload: | ralph-stevens |
View: | 224 times |
Download: | 0 times |
1.1 Biodiversity-An Introduction
Pages 8-13
Biodiversity
• The number and variety of living things
Species
• Members of a group of living things that can produce fertile offspring.
Hybridization
• Plants of different species successfully reproduce.
Morphology
• Plants, fungi and many microorganisms do not “breed” so we use physical characteristics to define species
Evolutionary Changes
• Physical changes• Behavioural changes
Genetic Diversity
• Range of traits among members of the same species
Feeding
• Heterotrophs acquire nutrients from outside themselves
• Autotrophs make their own food through photosynthesis
Species Diversity
• Variety of species• Number of individuals
Structural diversity
• Physical shapes• Sizes• Distribution• Habitats• communities
Biodiversity at Risk
• Food supply at risk• Medicines lost• Economic impact on tourism, forestry • Biogeochemical cycle disruptions