Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics

The video explores the factors contributing to higher biodiversity in the tropics, focusing on biotic processes like competition and predation. It introduces the niche diversification hypothesis and explains how predation can prevent competitive exclusion, allowing multiple species to coexist. The challenges in identifying and counting species are also discussed, highlighting the complexity of biodiversity research.

What is a key factor that limits biodiversity in temperate zones?

• Biotic interactions

• Abiotic factors

• Predation

• Human activities

What adaptation is mentioned as a response to abiotic factors in temperate zones?

• Photosynthesis

• Camouflage

• Migration of birds

• Hibernation

In the context of the niche diversification hypothesis, what happens when two species compete for the same resource?

• The weaker species finds an alternative resource

• The stronger species goes extinct

• They both thrive equally

• They merge into a single species

What is the main idea of the niche diversification hypothesis?

• Species compete until one goes extinct

• Species merge to form new species

• Species diversify to avoid competition

• Species evolve to occupy the same niche

How does predation contribute to biodiversity according to the video?

• By increasing the number of predators

• By eliminating all prey species

• By reducing the number of prey species

• By preventing competitive exclusion

How do predators affect the abundance of prey species?

• They have no effect on prey species

• They decrease the abundance of the most common prey species

• They eliminate all prey species

• They increase the abundance of all prey species

Why is it difficult to estimate the total number of species on Earth?

• Many species are rare and occur in small areas

• Species are evenly distributed across the globe

• There are no experts in species identification

• All species are well-documented

What is a challenge in identifying new species?

• High diversity of small organisms

• Lack of interest in biodiversity

• All species are already known

• No need for expertise in identification

What role do species play in shaping ecosystems?

• They determine the structure and function of ecosystems

• They are irrelevant to ecosystem dynamics

• They only provide resources for humans

• They have no impact on ecosystems

What determines the natural resources provided by a forest?

• The climate alone

• The species composition

• The amount of rainfall

• The altitude of the forest