G3 Impacts of humans on ecosystems

Monday, 9 July 2012 2:18 PM

G.3.1 Calculate the Simpson diversity index for two local communities.

Diversity of species present in a habitat indicates stability of the community Simpson diversity index measures species diversity of community
Diversity = N = the total number of organisms of all species found n = the number of individuals of each species Ex. Vegetable plot left fallow

Species
Groundsel (Senecio vulgaris) Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) Total (N) Simpson diversity index (D) for this habitat: Species (no. of individuals n n-1

n - number of individuals
45 10 95

Shepherd's purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris) 40

n(n-1)

Groundsel
Shepherd's purse Dandelion Total (N)

45
40 10 95

44
39 9

1980
1560 90

= 1980 + 1560 + 90 = 3630 D = 95 x 94 / 3630 = 8930 / 3630 = 2.46 G.3.2 Analyse the biodiversity of the two local communities using the Simpson index. Community 1: Plant species Milkweed n 10 n(n-1)

Marram grass 50 Poison ivy

Sand cress

50(49)=2450
10(9)=90

10
4

10(9)=90
4(3)=12

Rose
Sand cherry Totals

1
3 N=78

1(0)=0
3(2)=6 2648

D=78(77)/2648=2.27

Community 2:
Plant species n n(n-1)
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Plant species Oak tree Hickory tree Maple tree Beech tree Fern Moss Columbine Trillium Solomon seal Totals

n 3 1 1 1 5 3 3 3 3 N=27

n(n-1) 3(2)=6 1(0)=0 1(0)=0 1(0)=0 5(4)=20 3(2)=6 3(2)=6 3(2)=6 4(3)=12 3(2)=6 62

Virginia creeper 4

D=27(26)/62=11.3 G.3.3 Discuss reasons for the conservation of biodiversity using rainforests as an example. Economic reasons: Creating farms on rainforest soils makes soil devoid of nutrients Plant sources of medicines and chemicals are lost forever if species are extinct Local crop plants and farm animals could be improved with alleles from wild populations Ecotourism could improve local economy Ecological reasons: Loss of one species could affect others because they are interdependent Diversity protects ecosystem against invaders Fewer plants means more carbon dioxide --> global warming Soil erosion and flooding Ethical reasons: Local population most affected by rainforest destruction Conserve rainforests so future generations have access to it Solution: create public awareness of problem Aesthetic reasons: Human well-being is linked to visiting preserved natural areas Rainforests have inspired art G.3.4 List three examples of the introduction of alien species that have had significant impacts on ecosystems. Introduction of alien species into an ecosystem disrupts communities Alien species are often able to out-compete native species --> reduces biodiversity 1. Kudzu Introduced from Japan to the US in 1876 as ornamental plant Promoted in 1930s to solve soil erosion 1935 to 1950, planted by Civilian Conservation Corp 1953, recognised as pest weed Common throughout south-eastern states of US ('the plant that ate the south') Grows rapidly, up to 20m per season 30 stems can emerge from one root, grows horizontally and vertically Spreads by runners Grows well in many conditions, killed by prolonged freezing
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 Grows well in many conditions, killed by prolonged freezing Thick growth crushes other plants, its weight breaks tree branches $500 million per year is lost through the effects of kudzu 2. 3. Zebra mussels Tiny black and white striped bivalve molluscs Invaded North America in mid 1980s Introduced by European cargo ship Spread all over Great Lakes Inadvertently carried all over US and Canada by boaters and fisherman Adult mussels attach themselves to boat hulls with sticky fibres; larvae carried in water Enormous economic impact - clog pipes One mussel can release up to 100000 eggs per year $500 million spent on control in next decade Cause Lake Michigan to be very clear --> aquatic weeds Prickly pear Cactus introduced to Australia in mid 1800s by Europeans and Americans By 1900s it was spreading at 400000 hectares per year Cactoblastic cactorum (a moth) introduced to destroy cactus Today a balance exists between 2 populations

G.3.5 Discuss the impacts of alien species on ecosystems.

Interspecific competition, predation, extinction of native species All cause a reduction in diversity 1. Interspecific competition A species which invades an ecosystem can out-compete the native species 2. Predation A species which invades an ecosystem can eat another species 3. Species extinction A species which invades an ecosystem can out-compete the native species and cause its extinction G.3.6 Outline one example of biological control of invasive species. Red fire ants: Imported pest insect in US Common in southern states, spreading south Compete with native ants and become dominant species Introduced from South America, no natural enemies in US Phorid fly is natural predator, hovers over a mound of ants, picks out victim and strikes Strike involves piercing the ant and laying eggs inside its body Eggs grow into larvae, which eat and decapitate the ants 2 species of phorid fly have been used, populations are increasing Now working on a method to rear large numbers of flies for release Other example: To control the cottony cushion scale, the vedalia beetle was introduced from Australia Rabbits in Australia controlled by release of myxoma virus from South America

G.3.7 Define biomagnification.

Biomagnification is a process in which chemical substances become more concentrated at each

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Biomagnification is a process in which chemical substances become more concentrated at each trophic level. Chemicals released into the environment may be taken up by plants Plants may not be affected by chemical they absorb/have on surface Primary consumer eats large amounts of affected plants --> great amount of chemicals taken Amount magnified when taken in by secondary consumer Chemicals stored in fatty tissue of consumer Fat digested and chemical moves to fatty tissue of secondary consumer

G.3.8 Explain the cause and consequences of biomagnification, using a named example. Cause: Toxic chemicals deliberately put in environment to kill insect pests DDT used to control mosquitoes At the time it was not known that DDT didn't break down Commonly sprayed on plants --> entered water supplies Absorbed by microscopic organisms --> eaten by small fish --> eaten by larger fish DDT built up in fatty tissue of fish --> eaten by birds Consequences: Decline in number of predator birds Eggs of birds easily cracked DDT built up in tissue, interfered with Ca needed for the shell DDT banned in US in 1971 Bird population began to recover G.3.9 Outline the effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation on living tissues and biological productivity. 1. Non-lethal skin cancer: Basal and squamous cell carcinoma 1% decrease in stratospheric ozone increases cancers by 2% 2. Lethal cancer: Malignant melanoma lethal in 15-20% cases Early detection is key factor in recovery 3. Mutation of DNA: UV radiation causes changes in DNA structure 4. 5. 6. Sunburn: Reddening of skin Enlargement of small blood vessels Some cells of epidermis die and peel off Cataracts: Clouding of lens of the eye leading to loss of vision Long-term exposure to UV rays is risk factor Prevented by wearing protective glasses and a hat Reduced biological productivity: Can damage and kill plant cells Affects plants' ability to photosynthesise Can damage DNA of cells involved in growth Reduces biomass of plant, decrease net productivity Phytoplankton or floating microscopic plants are especially susceptible They are at bottom of food chain, important in sustaining ecosystem

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G.3.10 Outline the effect of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) on the ozone layer. UV light causes CFCs to release chlorine CFCs cause ozone to form oxygen (by chlorine atoms reacting) Causes a reduction in ozone concentration (allowing more UV to enter) Increases the ozone hole Particularly effective in the Antarctic spring Effective in very low concentrations A small amount of CFC can destroy a large amount of ozone

G.3.11 State that ozone in the stratosphere absorbs UV radiation. Ozone layer in stratosphere absorbs UV radiation 20 km thick, 15 - 35km above atmosphere Formation of ozone occurs in stratosphere where O2 breaks apart and reacts with another O2 Ozone is constantly being formed, broken down, re-formed

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