Measuring Biodiversity

Biodiversity The number and variety of life forms found within a specific region. In order for biodiversity to remain high, diverse ecosystems need to remain sustainable. Preserving and protecting species and the ecosystems they inhabit are important to maintaining biodiversity on Earth. The number and variety of life forms found within a specific region. In order for biodiversity to remain high, diverse ecosystems need to remain sustainable. Preserving and protecting species and the ecosystems they inhabit are important to maintaining biodiversity on Earth.

Measuring Biodiversity Canopy fogging Quadrat sampling Transect sampling Netting Canopy fogging Quadrat sampling Transect sampling Netting

Biodiversity Hotspots Places where there are exceptionally large numbers of species in relatively small areas. Some in Ontario: Carolinian Canada, Leitrim Wetlands (Ottawa) and Georgian Bay Biosphere Many more in tropical areas of South America, Africa and Asia Places where there are exceptionally large numbers of species in relatively small areas. Some in Ontario: Carolinian Canada, Leitrim Wetlands (Ottawa) and Georgian Bay Biosphere Many more in tropical areas of South America, Africa and Asia

Communities Community: is all the populations of the different species that interact in a specific area or ecosystem. Dominant species: are so abundant that they have the most biomass of any community member (usually a producer). Keystone species: a species that can greatly affect population numbers and the health of an ecosystem. Not usually abundant, can be plants or animals. Ecosystem Engineers: are a species that cause dramatic changes to landscapes and it creates a new ecosystem. Succession: the series of changes in an ecosystem that happens over time after a disturbance. Community: is all the populations of the different species that interact in a specific area or ecosystem. Dominant species: are so abundant that they have the most biomass of any community member (usually a producer). Keystone species: a species that can greatly affect population numbers and the health of an ecosystem. Not usually abundant, can be plants or animals. Ecosystem Engineers: are a species that cause dramatic changes to landscapes and it creates a new ecosystem. Succession: the series of changes in an ecosystem that happens over time after a disturbance.