Question

3. Why are populations that are more diverse usually more stable?

Answer 1

8. How do invasive species change the diversity index?

Answer 2

got the answer for #3 already

Answer 3

Consider this:

We have two "populations" of marbles. One is in bag A, one in bag B.

Bag A population has blue and red marbles, 50% blue and 50% red (100 marbles total)

Bag B population has blue, red, yellow, purple, and green. Each color is 20% of the population of 100 marbles (so, 20 of each color).

Let's say the colors represent alleles of a certain gene. Each marble (allele) provides a different benefit:

blue-cold resistance
red-heat resistance
yellow-UV radiation resistance
purple-draught resistance
green-acidic environment tolerance

One population would be able to tolerate a wider range of variables than the other right? If we model a stressor, say a very dry and hot environment, what would happen to our populations?

Which bag would be more likely to survive with the least dramatic loss of individuals?

This is one reason, another one involves mutations. I'll help walk you through that if you respond with your thoughts on all of this.

Answer 4

@CruzianBarbeeee #8 look up zebra mussels and/or asian big head carp