Biodiversity trail Answers
Biodiversity Trail - Answers What is biodiversity? The term biodiversity refers to the great variety of life there is on the Earth. Biodiversity refers to the variety of all living organisms, from microscopic bacteria to giant redwood trees. It includes the variety of genetic information available within a species. The interrelationships between organisms are also an integral part of biodiversity. Organisms have evolved over time to develop different adaptations to survive in their habitats and niches. These adaptations contribute to the diversity of life on earth. There are many biodiversity hotspots across the globe which include ecosystems such as rainforests, coral reefs and seamounts. These ecosystems contain the greatest proportion of the Earth s species although we only know about a small proportion of them. Biodiversity trail This trail will take you on a tour of the diversity of life here at Marwell and allow you to discover more about biodiversity and its importance to us. Use the map provided to help you follow this trail. You will need to look for signs near the enclosures to help find the information you need. You may also need to use your own knowledge or observational skills to work out some answers.
1. HUMBOLDT PENGUIN Humboldt penguins are named after the Humboldt Current which runs past the coasts of Chile and Peru where these birds live. Whilst the most familiar penguin species are found in colder climates, the Humboldt penguin originates from a more temperate climate. 1. a) Which hemisphere are these flightless birds usually found in? Southern hemisphere 1. b) What adaptations do Humboldt penguins have which allow them to be successful in the ocean environments they spend most of their time in? (Choose 2). Wings shaped like flippers for swimming. Streamlined body to glide quickly through the water. Special feathers downy part close to the skin to trap air (for insulation); small stiff overlapping outer-part (penguin spreads oil (produced by preening gland) on to feathers to make them windproof and waterproof). Black back with white underneath for camouflage (counter-shading). Mouth spines instead of teeth. Found on the inside of the mouth and on tongue to grip and hold on to wriggly fish! Very good long-distance vision for seeing both underwater and in air. Webbed feet and tail help penguins to steer underwater. Denser bones than birds that fly helps penguins to dive deep underwater. 2. GREATER FLAMINGO Greater flamingos live in highly saline water (high concentrations of salt) and alkaline habitats such as estuarine lagoons and mangrove swamps. 2. a) What level of biodiversity would you expect to find in such harsh conditions? Why? Low levels of biodiversity only animals that are adapted to such extreme environments will be able to survive.
2. b) What adaptations can you see that might help greater flamingos to survive in these environments? Long legs for wading through deep water, body kept out of caustic water conditions which could otherwise be harmful. Bill designed for removing food from the silt (food items are filtered out through comb-like plates in specialised beak). Webbed feet for walking through mud. Additional adaptations:- Rest by standing with one leg folded into the body a method for conserving body heat. 2. c) Why do you think there are mirrors and sounds in the flamingo enclosure? Although flamingos have bred in small groups in captivity, it is believed that they generally prefer larger groups. The mirrors have been put in to give the illusion of an increased flock size. This visual effect has been reinforced by adding a speaker which plays sounds of greater flamingos. We hope this will encourage successful breeding for our flamingos. 3. CHEETAH About 10,000 years ago, all but one species of cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) died out. Only a few individuals survived, from which all of today s cheetah are descended. The breeding of close relatives in this founder population has resulted in today s cheetah sharing approximately 99% of their genetic information, compared to about 80% for most species. This means that there are very few alleles (different forms of the same gene) within the remaining global cheetah population. 3. a) What problems do you think this lack of genetic diversity within the cheetah population could cause? Very vulnerable to disease and sudden environmental change. Growth and development issues (for example, some cheetah may be born with asymmetrical skulls, poor quality sperm in males, etc). Problems with reproduction (this has been apparent in captivity, however cheetah seem to be doing OK in the wild).
4. HEART OF AFRICA As you enter Heart of Africa, on the right hand side you will notice a board showing the huge diversity of antelopes that there are. 4. a) What factors have determined the huge variety of shapes and sizes of antelope that have evolved? Diet and environment these determine what adaptations the animal will need to maximise its chance of survival. If you walk over to the other side of Heart of Africa you can see a range of antelope horns, which further illustrate the diversity of antelope. Now look at the cichlid fish from Lake Malawi (back wall of Heart of Africa). 4. b) How are so many different species of cichlid fish able to survive in the same lake? Many different species have evolved to exploit distinct niches, this means that they can coexist within an ecosystem without direct competition with each other. For example: algae eaters, scale eaters, egg eaters, snail eaters, etc. 5. AMUR LEOPARD Many species are threatened by human activities the Amur leopard is one of these threatened species. 5. a) What is the conservation status of the Amur leopard? Critically endangered 5. b) Identify 2 threats to the Amur leopard in the wild Deforestation due to expanding human population and settlements as well as the construction of new roads. Traditional medicines Amur leopard body parts used in some traditional medicines. Poaching for fur and also where leopards cross into human areas in search of food as they may take livestock. Conservation efforts to try to protect Amur leopards from extinction include anti-poaching patrols, education, and captive breeding programmes. 5. c) Amur leopards are also listed under CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) Appendix I. What do you think this means? There is a complete ban on commercial trade in this species. Therefore no Amur leopards or their products (eg. furs) can be traded into or out of membership countries.
6. OKAPI (Please be quiet in the okapi house) The okapi is a large mammal (almost 2 metres tall!) and lives in the Ituri Forest of the Democratic Republic of Congo, central Africa. The okapi was not known to European scientists until 1901 because it is such a shy and elusive animal. 6. a) What does this tell you about our current knowledge of the biodiversity of life on earth? If an animal as large as the okapi managed to go undiscovered for so long, it is likely that there are many other species of which we have no knowledge. 6. b) What activity is currently threatening the forest habitat in which the okapi live? What is the product of this activity used for? Mining for minerals such as coltan used in the manufacture of microchips for mobile phones. Also logging and agriculture. 6. c) For which forest are the okapi the flagship species? Why have a flagship species? The Ituri forest in the DRC a flagship species is a species chosen to act as an ambassador for a particular threatened habitat. This species not only raises awareness and support for itself, but also for the threatened habitat it comes from and the other species it shares that habitat with. Therefore flagship species are important for conserving the biodiversity of the habitats they come from for the future.
7. CHAPMAN S ZEBRA Different species have different social structures. Whilst some species live in herds, for example giraffes, other species prefer to lead a mostly solitary lifestyle, for example tigers. 7. a) What is the social structure for Chapman s zebras? Family groups, sometimes large herds. 7. c) How is this social structure useful for the zebras survival? Provide each other with an effective warning system against predators. Also, merging of their stripy patterns confuses predators and makes it more difficult to single out an individual. 8. PARTULA SNAILS The Polynesian partula tree snail species are currently under threat. Since 1970, 50 species of partula snail have become extinct and some are now extinct in the wild. Therefore many of the remaining species are part of a conservation breeding programme. 8. a) What has caused the massive decrease in numbers of these snails? Introduction of carnivorous snails (invasive species) introduced to reduce the population of African land snails (which were introduced to the islands to farm for food but became a pest species by eating crops). However instead of predating on the African land snails these carnivorous snails preferred to eat the many species of partula snails. Habitat destruction to widen roads for viewpoints and for communication installations. 8. b) Why is it important that Marwell is part of the breeding programme for partula snails? Some species of partula snail are extinct already, others have a very small population. If Marwell and other zoological collections were not involved in breeding programmes then it is very probable that all species of partula snails would become extinct. This would have consequences for the biodiversity of the Polynesian islands and would cause a reduction in global biodiversity.
9. WORLD OF LEMURS If a species is endemic it means that it is only found in a particular habitat or location and it is not found anywhere else in the world. 9. a) Where are fossas endemic to and what is their current conservation status? Endemic to: Madagascar Conservation status: Endangered 9. b) Why is it important to conserve the habitats where these endemic animals are found? These habitats are the only places these species are found in the wild. Therefore if their habitats are destroyed these species will likely become extinct or extinct in the wild as they d have nowhere to live. Although lemurs all belong to the same family (lemuridae) there is much diversity between different species. 9. c) Write down some of the key features of Alaotran gentle lemurs. Distribution: By Lake Alaotra, Madagascar Habitat: Reed beds (this habitat is threatened as it is drained and burned to make way for rice paddy fields). Diet: Shoots, stems, leaves Conservation status: Critically endangered Colour: Grey with a chestnut tinge Other key features: Live in small family groups. Muzzle quite blunt. Rounded head shape. 9. d) Compare the Alaotran gentle lemur to one of the other lemur species we have here at Marwell. What are the similarities and differences between these two lemur species? Try to explain some of the reasons for these similarities/differences. For example: Like the Alaotran gentle lemurs, ring-tailed lemurs are also found in Madagascar. However, their distribution isn t restricted to just around Lake Alaotra. This is because ring-tailed lemurs inhabit scrub and forest areas instead of reed beds, and these different habitats are reflected in the different diets of these lemurs... Etc.
10. TROPICAL WORLD On your way around Tropical World answer the following questions. Please read through the questions 10.a) 10.c) before you start so that you are aware of what you are looking for. Although rainforests cover only 6% of the Earth s land area, they contain over half of the world s plant and animal species. Rainforests have the highest level of biodiversity of all the ecosystems on Earth and humans have found ways to exploit this. 10. a) As you look around Tropical World complete the blank spaces in the table below for 5 rainforest plants that humans use. COMMON NAME LATIN NAME ORIGIN USE Banana Musa cavendishii Canary Islands Food Joseph s coat Codiaeum variegatum Petra South East Asia Treatment of leprosy Japanese banana Musa basjoo Japan Rope-making Angel s wings Caladium x hortulanum Tropical America Wound dressings Rosy periwinkle Catharanthus roseus Madagascar Treatment of leukaemia PTO for more Tropical World questions
10. b) i) Which different species would be affected if a parrot flower (Heliconia psittacotum) is killed? The parrot flower is an example of a micro-ecosystem. The species that would be affected include invertebrates, frogs, lizards, snakes, hermit hummingbirds, tent bats. 10. b) ii) Try to draw a partial food chain or food web for some of the species that are part of the parrot flower ecosystem Frogs Invertebrates Snakes Lizards Nectar Hummingbirds The niche of an organism is its role or function within an ecosystem. For example, the role of some birds may be to eat fruits and disperse the seeds. 10. c) Which fish in Tropical World fulfils a similar role to these birds? The pacu eat fruits that fall into the water. The seeds pass through the pacu and are dispersed in the rivers they live in.
11. PYGMY HIPPOPOTAMUS Pygmy hippos are semi-aquatic mammals which inhabit rivers and swamps in forested areas in western Africa. 11. a) What adaptations do the pygmy hippos have to help them survive in their habitat? Produce a sticky substance from their skin acts as a kind of sunscreen. Ears, eyes and nose positioned on top of head so they are still able to breathe, see and hear whilst submerged and concealed by water (helps them camouflage). Partially webbed feet for swimming. 11. b) What is threatening the habitat of the pygmy hippos? Human developments the preferred habitat of the pygmy hippo (heavy forest surrounding water) has suffered from deforestation and now the land has been transformed into human settlements.
12. CAPYBARA Capybara are the World s largest rodents and lead a partially aquatic lifestyle. 12. a) How are capybara similar to the pygmy hippos you saw earlier in terms of their adaptations for this lifestyle? Similar to pygmy hippos - ears, eyes and nose positioned on top of head so they are still able to breathe and use their senses whilst the rest of their body is submerged in water. Also - partially webbed feet help them to swim. 12. b) i) How is the growing of single crops on large grassland areas in South America affecting capybara? Destroying the grassland habitat of the capybara. 12. b) ii) What could you do to help? How does this help? Buy locally produced items helps by reducing the demand for overseas products (such as items grown on South American grasslands). If there is less demand then it is less likely more grassland will be planted with more crops. However, we may also need to consider alternative livelihoods for farmers who rely on income for their crops if demand for their products is reduced. You could do some more research into this area and hold a debate back at school/college on this issue.
13. GIANT ANTEATER Giant anteaters are unusual looking animals with a diet consisting mostly of ants and termites. 13) What adaptations do giant anteaters have to help them obtain food? Long sticky tongue (up to about 50cm long!) to help pick up insects as anteater sucks them in (one anteater can eat up to 30,000 ants in one day). Long powerful claws to rip open termite mounds and ant hills. Very good sense of smell to detect ants and termites. 14. SUMMARY On your journey around Marwell you have looked at just a small sample of the millions of plant and animal species that exist on earth. 14. a) Why do you think it is so important for humans to take steps to preserve the biodiversity of our planet? Could come up with ideas such as:- Unknown organisms still yet to be discovered with possible uses in medicine, etc. Many plants and animals that we rely on already could be at risk. Complex food webs could be affected by loss of biodiversity unknown what the effects of losing biodiversity would actually be. 14. b) What steps could we take to help preserve biodiversity? Could come up with suggestions such as:- Sustainable living (living in a way that does not impact upon future generations). Conservation efforts to conserve species and their habitats. Education and awareness raising.