#1 - The importance of biodiversity Flashcards
Define Biodiversity
Biodiversity is the variety of life found in a particular ecosystem.
Define Ecological Diversity
Ecological diversity is the variety of terrestrial/aquatic ecosystems found in an area, or on the Earth.
Define Genetic Diversity
Genetic diversity is the variety of genetic material within a species or population.
Define **Species Diversity **
The number and abudance of different species present in an area.
Define Species Composition
Which particular species are present in an area.
Define **Species Richness **
The total number of different species in an area.
Define Species Evenness
How relatively abudant each species are in an area.
What is needed for an ecosystem to have high biodiversty?
High species richness and evenness.
What is the Latitudinal Diversity Gradient?
It’s the pattern of having higher biodiversity levels the closer an ecosystem is to the equator of the earth.
The higher the biodiversity, the more ____ the ecosytem is.
Robust
What is a Keystone Species?
A species that the ecosystem is** heavily reliant** on to** ensure balance**.
Define Monoculture
The cultivation of a single crop in an area.
Define Invasive
An introduced organism that negatively impacts its new environment.
Define Exotic
A species that’s** non-native** to its environment.
Define Native
A species whose presence in their environment is the result of only natural processes, with no human intervention.
