systems, which includes the diversity of ancient and unpolluted sites (for species, habitat diversity and genetic example, in Arctic ecosystems). diversity. Species diversity within a community is a Species diversity in communities is a component of the broader description of product of two variables: the number of the biodiversity of an entire ecosystem. species (richness) and their relative International-mindedness: proportions (evenness). Communities can be described and International scientific collaboration is compared through the use of diversity important in the conservation of indices. When comparing communities biodiverse regions. that are similar, low diversity could be indicative of pollution, eutrophication or Theory of knowledge: recent colonization of a site. The number of species present in an area is often The term has replaced the “biodiversity” indicative of general patterns of term in much literature on “nature” biodiversity. conservation issues—does this represent Habitat diversity refers to the range of a paradigm shift? different habitats in an ecosystem or Diversity index is not a measure in the biome. true sense of a word, but merely a Genetic diversity refers to the range of number (index), as it involves a genetic material present in a population subjective judgment on the combination of a species. of two measures: proportion and Quantification of biodiversity is important richness. Are there examples in other to conservation efforts so that areas of areas of knowledge of the subjective use high biodiversity may be identified, of numbers? explored, and appropriate conservation Connections: put in place where possible. The ability to assess changes to ESS: Foundations of ESS (topic 1); biodiversity in a given community over investigating ecosystems (2.5); water time is important in assessing the impact pollution (4.4); acid deposition (6.4); of human activity in the community. climate change—causes and impacts (7.2) Applications and skills: Diploma Program: Biology (topics 5 and Distinguish between biodiversity, 10) diversity of species, habitat diversity and genetic diversity.
systems, which includes the diversity of species, habitat diversity and genetic diversity. Species diversity in communities is a product of two variables: the number of species (richness) and their relative proportions (evenness). Communities can be described and compared through the use of diversity indices. When comparing communities that are similar, low diversity could be indicative of pollution, eutrophication or recent colonization of a site. The number of species present in an area is often indicative of general patterns of biodiversity. Habitat diversity refers to the range of different habitats in an ecosystem or biome. Genetic diversity refers to the range of genetic material present in a population of a species. Quantification of biodiversity is important to conservation efforts so that areas of high biodiversity may be identified, explored, and appropriate conservation put in place where possible. The ability to assess changes to biodiversity in a given community over time is important in assessing the impact of human activity in the community. Applications and skills: Distinguish between biodiversity, diversity of species, habitat diversity and genetic diversity. ancient and unpolluted sites (for example, in Arctic ecosystems). Species diversity within a community is a component of the broader description of the biodiversity of an entire ecosystem. International-mindedness: International scientific collaboration is important in the conservation of biodiverse regions. Theory of knowledge: The term “biodiversity” has replaced the term “nature” in much literature on conservation issues—does this represent a paradigm shift? Diversity index is not a measure in the true sense of a word, but merely a number (index), as it involves a subjective judgment on the combination of two measures: proportion and richness. Are there examples in other areas of knowledge of the subjective use of numbers? Connections: ESS: Foundations of ESS (topic 1); investigating ecosystems (2.5); water pollution (4.4); acid deposition (6.4); climate change—causes and impacts (7.2) Diploma Program: Biology (topics 5 and 10)
IB_Environmental_Systems_and_Societies_2016.docx