Subtopic 3.

1
Biodiversity and
Evolution
Importance of
Biodiversity
3.1.1 Introduction to Biodiversity

Watch the video and

answer Q2
 3.1.1 Introduction to Biodiversity
Biodiversity is the variety of life on Earth,
expressed in three main levels
● Genetic diversity: Variation within
species (e.g., different gene variants).
● Species diversity: Variety of species in
an ecosystem (e.g., different types of
plants, animals, fungi).
● Habitat diversity: Range of different
habitats and ecosystems (e.g., forests,
wetlands, deserts).
 3.1.1 Species Diversity
The diversity of species in a given unit of area for
a given period of time. It is a product of two
variables, the number of species (richness) and
their relative proportions (evenness).
● Richness: a measure of the number of
different species in an area; more species
means a richer environment.
● Evenness: the relative abundance of the
species. It therefore takes into account the
abundance or scarcity of each species and
eliminates the problems of just analyzing
species richness in an area.
 3.1.1 Habitat Diversity
● Diverse habitats provide different niches
and microclimates, allowing a wider range
of species to coexist.
● Each habitat supports a unique set of
species adapted to its specific conditions.
 3.1.1 Genetic Diversity
● Genetic diversity is perhaps the most
important component of biodiversity
because it allows species to adapt and
evolve over time..

Answer Q4
 3.1.1 Low Genetic Diversity
● Cheetahs are an example of a species with
very low genetic diversity.
● Due to historical population bottlenecks,
cheetahs are genetically similar to one
another, which makes them vulnerable to
diseases and reduces their ability to adapt to
environmental changes.
● Their low genetic diversity poses a
significant threat to their long-term survival.
 3.1.1 Genetically Identical
● Bananas
Many commercial banana crops are
genetically identical, as they are
propagated through cloning.
● This uniformity makes bananas highly
susceptible to pests and diseases,
such as the Panama disease, because
if one plant is vulnerable, the entire
population is at risk.
● The lack of genetic diversity means
that banana crops lack the resilience Answer Q6
to adapt to new threats.
3.1.1 High Genetic Diversity: Coral
Reefs
● Coral reefs often show a high level of
genetic diversity within species.
● Different populations of corals may
have genetic variations that allow
them to survive in slightly different
conditions, such as varying water
temperatures or levels of acidity

https://coral.org/en/blog/why-does-coral-reef-diversity-matter/
 3.1.1 Importance of Biodiversity
Biodiversity provides ecosystem services:
● Pollination: Vital for crop production and wild plants.
● Water purification: Wetlands filter water naturally.
● Soil fertility: Microorganisms and decomposers enrich soil.
 3.1.1 Importance of Biodiversity
Human benefits:
● Food: Fisheries, agriculture.
● Medicine: Plants and animals are sources of medicines.
● Climate regulation: Forests sequester carbon; oceans absorb CO2.
 3.1.2 Ecosystem Resilience
Resilience is the capacity of ecosystems to withstand and recover from
disruptions (natural disasters, human impacts).
● Genetic diversity: Allows populations to adapt to changes (e.g.,
climate shifts, disease).
● Species diversity: More species in a system = more roles (e.g.,
predators, decomposers, pollinators) = greater stability.
● Habitat diversity: Different habitats support different species,
leading to niche specialization and greater resilience.
 3.1.2 Ecosystem Resilience
● Ecosystem, species, and genetic diversity
are interconnected and essential for the
health of ecosystems.
● Habitat diversity promotes species diversity,
while species diversity depends on genetic
diversity for long-term adaptability.
● A loss at any level weakens the entire system,
making ecosystems more vulnerable to
collapse and reducing their ability to provide
vital services like clean air, water, and food.
 3.1.2 Complexity and Stability
Complex ecosystems are composed of
many species interacting with more
connections (food webs) and a more
stable system.

Answer Q7
 3.1.2 Succession Impact
Succession is the process of ecological development over time.
● Pioneer communities: Early stages (lichens, mosses) = simple food
webs, low resilience.
● Climax communities: Mature ecosystems (forests, grasslands) =
complex food webs, high resilience.
 3.1.2 Human Impact
● Deforestation: Reduces habitat and species diversity, lowering
ecosystem stability.
● Positive impact: Rewilding efforts (e.g., Yellowstone wolf
reintroduction) restore natural balance and enhance resilience.
 3.1.7 Species Diversity
Species diversity is an important
indicator of ecosystem health and
stability. It is composed of two key
components:
● Species richness: The number of
different species present in a
community. Richness alone,
however, does not fully represent
the diversity of an ecosystem.
● Species evenness: The relative
abundance of individuals among
those species.
 3.1.7 Species Diversity
High richness + high evenness = more stable ecosystems, as there is a
balance among species.
● Example: A forest with diverse tree species supports a variety of
animals and insects, making the system more resilient.
Low evenness: When one species dominates, it reduces the diversity of
ecosystem services (e.g., monocultures in agriculture are vulnerable to
disease).
 3.1.7 Species Diversity
● Tropical rainforests have high species richness and evenness, which
supports high biodiversity, complex food webs, and ecosystem
resilience.
● Deforestation reduces both richness and evenness, leading to
biodiversity loss.
 3.1.7 Levels of Diversity - Q9
Activity: Find examples of each level of biodiversity from a local and
global ecosystems (e.g., genetic diversity in crops, species diversity in
tropical rainforests, ecosystem diversity in wetlands).
 3.1.7 Species Diversity - Q10
Activity: Review the images representing different ecosystems to
understand species richness and evenness.
● Examine the number and types of species visible in each ecosystem.
● Count the total number of different species you see in this ecosystem.
(Estimate where exact numbers are not clear.)
● Compare the species richness of the three ecosystems. Which
ecosystem has the highest species richness? Which has the lowest?
● Compare the species evenness of the ecosystems. Which ecosystem
appears to have populations that are more balanced in number?
● Which ecosystem is most likely to have been disturbed by human
activity?
3.1.7 Species Diversity - Activity

https://digfir-published.macmillanusa.com/friedlandapes2e/asset/img_ch5/friedland_2e_fig14_02.html
 3.1.8 Simpson’s Reciprocal Index
Simpson’s reciprocal index (D) provides a quantitative measure of species
diversity.

● D is the Simpson diversity index

● – N is the total number of organisms of
all species found
● – n is the number of individuals of a
particular species
● Diversity is often considered as a
function of two components:
○ the number of different species
○ the relative numbers of individuals
of each species.
 3.1.8 Simpson’s Reciprocal Index
High index values: Ecosystems with a high Simpson’s index have a
greater number of species and a more even distribution of individuals
among species.
Low index values: Low values suggest that a few species dominate the
ecosystem, and diversity is lower.
 3.1.8 Simpson’s Reciprocal Index
- Q12
Activity: Reference the data in Q12. Complete the analyses.
 3.1.8 Sampling for Diversity
Comparisons
Appropriate procedures:
● Quadrats for plants.
● Sweep nets for insects.
● Pitfall traps for ground-dwelling invertebrates.
● Camera Traps and Scat Surveys
● Electrofishing or Gill Nets:
Compare diversity over time or between locations by calculating
Simpson’s reciprocal index for each.
 3.1.8 Sampling in Different
Ecosystems
Grasslands To assess grass species diversity in a grassland, random
sampling can be done using 1 m² quadrats within a larger area. The
number of grass species and their abundance can be recorded. For small
mammals like voles or mice, live traps (e.g., Sherman traps) can be placed
systematically across the area to estimate population density and
species diversity.
 3.1.8 Sampling in Different
Ecosystems - Q16
Research other examples of sampling in different ecosystems
 3.1.8 Simpson’s Reciprocal Index
Field Work - Q17
Application of skills: Collect data in order to work out Simpson’s
reciprocal index for diversity.
 3.1.9 Knowledge of Biodiversity
for Conservation
Biodiversity knowledge is key to effective conservation strategies.
● Identifies species at risk of extinction.
● Helps target areas where habitat protection is needed.
● Conservation management requires understanding local and global
biodiversity patterns.
 3.1.9 Citizen Science

Engages local communities in

data collection (e.g.,
birdwatching, tree counts).
 3.1.9 Government and NGOs

Large-scale biodiversity surveys and

species monitoring programs.
 3.1.9 Indigenous knowledge
Involves training local communities
(e.g., parabiologists) to gather data on
biodiversity in their regions.
Evolution and
Biodiversity
 3.1.3 Biodiversity and the
Evolutionary Processes

Watch the video and

complete Q19
 3.1.3 Biodiversity and the
Evolutionary Processes
● Evolution: The process by which species change over time through
natural selection, mutation, genetic drift, and gene flow.
● Biodiversity: Arises as species adapt to their environments and
diverge into new species.
 3.1.3 Key Processes in Evolution
● Natural selection: Traits that increase survival become more
common in a population.
● Mutation: Random changes in DNA create genetic variation.
● Speciation: When populations become isolated, they evolve into
different species..
 3.1.4 Natural Selection
● Natural selection: Organisms with traits better suited to their
environment survive and reproduce, passing on those traits.
● Drives adaptation: Over time, populations evolve traits that
enhance survival.
3.1.4 Key Mechanisms of Natural
Selection
● Genetic Variation: Every species has individuals with slight
differences. For instance, some moths may be lighter in color due to
their genes.
● Survival of the Fittest: Certain traits give individuals an advantage
in survival, especially when resources are limited. For example,
lighter-colored moths may be harder for birds to spot on tree bark,
increasing their chances of survival.
3.1.4 Key Mechanisms of Natural
Selection
● Reproduction: Those that survive longer are more likely to
reproduce. A moth that avoids predation can live longer, find mates,
and produce offspring.
● Inheritance: The survivors pass their advantageous traits to their
offspring. Over time, more moths inherit these beneficial traits,
increasing their frequency in the population.
 3.1.4 Natural Selection

Natural selection leads to the

development of new species and
greater biodiversity over billions of
years. - Q20
 3.1.4 Natural Selection - Activity
- Q23
Activity: Imagine a population of birds with different beak sizes. The
available food sources are either large seeds (which require big beaks to
crack) or small seeds (which require small beaks). A drought reduces the
availability of small seeds, leaving only large seeds.
● Step 1: Predict which birds are more likely to survive and reproduce in
this scenario.
● Step 2: How will the population’s beak sizes change over multiple
generations? Illustrate a potential population shift.
 3.1.4 Natural Selection - Activity
- Q24
Activity: Research the peppered moth and how
it adapted to environmental changes during the
Industrial Revolution. How did the pollution in the
environment affect the survival of light-colored
vs. dark-colored moths?
 3.1.5 Evolution by Natural
Selection
Natural selection occurs because genetic diversity within a population
gives rise to variation among individuals.

These variations can affect an individual’s ability to survive and reproduce

 3.1.5 Key Mechanisms
● Variation: Genetic diversity within a population leads to differences
in traits such as size, coloration, or behavior.
● Overproduction: Most species produce more offspring than can
survive to adulthood.
● Competition: In the struggle for resources, individuals with traits
that give them an advantage (e.g., speed, camouflage, resistance to
disease) are more likely to survive and reproduce.
 3.1.5 Key Mechanisms
● Differential survival and reproduction: Individuals with
advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing
these traits to their offspring.
● Heritability: Variation is heritable, meaning that traits that provide a
survival advantage are passed down from parents to offspring. Over
time, as more individuals inherit advantageous traits, these traits
become more common in the population, driving evolutionary
change.
 3.1.6 Speciation

Watch the video and

complete Q26
 3.1.6 Speciation
Speciation is the formation of new species through the process of
evolution.
● Over time, isolated populations accumulate genetic variations that
make them increasingly distinct.
● These variations in the species can change the organisms so much
that they can no longer breed with the original species, making them
a distinct species.
 3.1.6 Speciation - Activity - Q27
Activity: Select a species known for its evolutionary history and
speciation process. Some examples include:
● Darwin's finches on the Galápagos Islands.
● Cichlid fish in African Great Lakes.
● Polar bears evolving from brown bears.
● Apple maggot flies and their divergence due to different host plants.
 3.1.6 Speciation - Activity - Q27
Conduct research on the following aspects of the chosen species:
● Original Population:
● Environmental Changes or Isolation:
● Adaptations and Evolution:
● Speciation
● Present-Day Species:
 3.1.6 Speciation - Activity - Q27
Write a research report detailing the evolutionary changes, speciation
events, and environmental factors that contributed to the development of
the new species
● What were the main factors driving the speciation of the species?
● How did isolation play a role in the emergence of new traits?
● Are there similarities in the speciation process of different species?