Preventing Extinction: Protecting Biodiversity

1. Characteristics of a Community:

a) Composition and Distribution:

• Species composition: Communities are composed of various species, including plants, animals, fungi, and bacteria.

• Distribution: Each species occupies a specific area within the community, creating stratification and compartmentalization in space.

Note:

• Species composition and distribution are influenced by factors such as climate, topography, soil, and interspecies interactions.

b) Abundance and Number:

• Abundance: The number of species in a community.

• Population size: The number of individuals of each species within the community.

Note:

• Communities with high species diversity often have higher abundance and population size compared to simpler communities.

c) Trophic Relationships:

• Pathways of matter and energy exchange: Species in a community are interconnected through trophic relationships, forming food chains and food webs.

• Example: Plants are producers, herbivores are primary consumers, carnivores are secondary consumers, and so on.

Note:

• Trophic relationships are the foundation for the cycling of matter and the flow of energy within a community.

d) At least one species is harmed:

• Antagonistic relationships: In a community, species may compete, parasitize, or suppress each other. For example, pine and oak trees compete for sunlight, insect larvae parasitize citrus trees, and bacteria cause diseases in crops.

Note:

• Antagonistic relationships can lead to a decline in the population size of the harmed species, even extinction.

2. Concept of Community:

• Definition: A biological community is a collection of different species populations living together in a defined space and time, interacting with each other and forming a unified system.

Note:

• A community is a complex biological system characterized by interconnectedness and interdependence between species.

3. Dominant Species:

• Dominant species: Species that have a high population size, large biomass, strong activity, and significant influence on the structure and function of the community.

Note:

• Dominant species are often well-adapted to the environment and have strong competitive abilities.

4. Examples of Keystone Species:

• Keystone species: Species with low population size but play a crucial role in the community. Examples:

• Melaleuca trees: A keystone species in the U Minh melaleuca forest.

• Palm trees: A keystone species in palm forests.

• Toads: A keystone species in ponds and lakes.

Note:

• Keystone species often have economic, scientific, or cultural value.

5. Tropical Communities:

• High biodiversity: Tropical communities have hot and humid climates with abundant rainfall, providing favorable conditions for the development of numerous species, resulting in high biodiversity.

Note:

• Tropical communities are home to many rare and endangered species.

6. Significance of Stratification:

• Reduced competition: Stratification within communities helps to reduce competition between species, allowing for the coexistence of various species in the same environment.

• Increased efficiency in resource utilization: Stratification allows species to optimize resource utilization, such as sunlight, water, and food.

Note:

• Stratification is one of the mechanisms that maintain biodiversity within communities.

7. Manifestations of Partitioning:

• Specialization: Species within a community may partition resources, such as habitat, food, and time of activity, to minimize competition.

Note:

• Partitioning is an adaptive strategy of species within communities.

8. Mixed Farming:

• Maximizing resource utilization: The technique of mixed farming relies on partitioning among species within communities to maximize resource utilization and increase productivity.

Note:

• Mixed farming is an important agricultural technique that improves land and water use efficiency.

9. Dependent Distribution:

• Living needs: The distribution of species within a community depends on their living needs, such as sunlight, water, and food.

Note:

• The distribution of species is the result of adaptation and competition within communities.

10. Inhibition, No Increase or Decrease:

• Biological control: Using natural predators to control the population size of pests, preventing excessive pest populations and maintaining ecological balance.

Note:

• Biological control is a safe and effective method for protecting crops and livestock from pests.

11. Significance of Biological Control:

• Ensuring biological balance: Biological control helps to maintain balance within communities, preventing pest outbreaks that can harm the environment and humans.

Note:

• Biological control is an effective solution for environmental protection and sustainable development.

12. Significance of Partitioning:

• Interspecific competition: Partitioning helps species compete with other species, not directly competing with their own species, ensuring the survival and development of all species.

Note:

• Partitioning is one of the mechanisms that maintain biodiversity within communities.

General Note:

• Preventing extinction is about protecting biodiversity, maintaining balance within biological communities, contributing to environmental protection, and promoting sustainable development.

It is important to remember that preventing extinction is a collective responsibility. By understanding the characteristics and interactions within communities, we can better appreciate the value of biodiversity and take action to protect it for future generations.