2E1 Biodiversity and Classification Flashcards
Learn about environmental issues, biodiversity, and taxonomy. Understand types of biodiversity and their roles in ecological balance.
What are the major environmental problems facing today’s ecosystems?
- Habitat loss and degradation
- Climate change
- Invasive species
- Pollution
- Overuse of natural resources
Define biodiversity.
The variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem.
Why is biodiversity important for ecosystem health and stability?
Because it enhances ecosystem resilience and stability by providing a greater variety of species that can adapt to changes.
Ecosystems with high biodiversity have more resources and interactions among species, making them less vulnerable to environmental changes and disturbances .
Give an example of how high biodiversity helps ecosystems recover faster.
Ecosystems with high biodiversity can rebound faster from disturbances due to the presence of multiple species that can fulfill various ecological roles.
For instance, in a diverse forest, if one tree species is affected by disease, other tree species can continue to support the ecosystem.
What are the three types of biodiversity?
- Species diversity
- Genetic diversity
- Ecological diversity
Name a characteristic of areas with high biodiversity.
- Large amounts of solar energy available year-round.
- Variable terrain.
- Long periods of climate stability.
Tropical rainforests are prime examples of areas with high biodiversity due to their consistent climate and rich variety of habitats.
What is species diversity?
It measures the number of different species within a given area.
Species diversity can be influenced by factors such as habitat complexity and productivity.
Explain alpha diversity.
A local measure of biodiversity within a single habitat or community.
What is beta diversity?
It compares species diversity between two or more ecosystems.
Beta diversity indicates the change in species composition from one environment to another, reflecting habitat differentiation.
What does gamma diversity measure?
The total number of species across all ecosystems.
Gamma diversity provides a landscape-level perspective of biodiversity, encompassing various habitats.
Define genetic diversity.
It refers to the variety of genetic information within a species or population.
Genetic diversity is crucial for a population’s ability to adapt to changing environments and resist diseases.
Why are populations with low genetic diversity vulnerable?
They are more susceptible to diseases and environmental changes.
Populations with low genetic diversity, such as endangered species, have reduced evolutionary potential and increased risk of extinction.
What does ecological diversity measure?
The number of different ecosystems within a landscape.
Ecological diversity includes different types of environments like forests, deserts, wetlands, and oceans, each supporting unique communities of organisms.
Give an example of ecological diversity at a small scale.
Microclimates within a forest that vary in climatic conditions.
e.g. temperature and humidity.
Microclimates can create diverse habitats within a single forest, supporting a wide range of species.
How does biodiversity affect ecosystem stability?
High biodiversity fills ecological niches, reducing vulnerability to disturbances.
Diverse ecosystems are more likely to contain species that can compensate for the loss or decline of others, maintaining ecosystem functions.
What happened in Yellowstone National Park when wolves were eradicated?
Elk populations soared, causing overgrazing and ecosystem imbalance.
The removal of a keystone species like wolves disrupted trophic interactions, demonstrating the importance of top predators in maintaining ecosystem balance.
Describe a stable ecosystem.
It maintains species evenness, density, and population sizes relatively constant.
Stability in ecosystems can be due to factors like high biodiversity, resource availability, and balanced predator-prey relationships.
Why are rainforests considered stable ecosystems?
They have high biodiversity and species redundancy.
Species redundancy means multiple species can perform similar ecological roles, ensuring ecosystem functions continue even if some species decline.
What threatens even highly diverse ecosystems like rainforests?
- Habitat destruction
- Overuse of resources
Deforestation, logging, and land conversion for agriculture are major threats to rainforests .
Describe the relationship between genetic diversity and population survival.
Populations with higher genetic diversity are more likely to survive environmental changes.
Genetic diversity enables populations to adapt to new challenges and avoid inbreeding depression.
Why is measuring biodiversity important at different scales?
It provides insights into ecosystem health from local to global levels.
Local, regional, and global biodiversity assessments help in conservation planning and understanding ecological processes.
What is taxonomy?
The science that involves identifying, naming, and grouping organisms into a hierarchical structure, based on shared characteristics.
Who is considered the father of taxonomic classification?
Carolus Linnaeus
He was a Swedish botanist from the 1700s.
Define taxonomic classification.
It organizes species into hierarchical groups based on similarities.
The main taxonomic ranks are Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, and Species.
What does the root word “taxis” mean?
Order or arrangement in Greek.
The term “taxonomy” is derived from “taxis” (arrangement) and “nomia” (method).
How are different species identified in taxonomy?
By using binomial nomenclature (genus and species names).
Binomial nomenclature ensures each species has a unique, universally recognized scientific name.
What are the taxonomic levels proposed by Linnaeus?
- Kingdom
- Phylum
- Class
- Order
- Family
- Genus
- Species
These hierarchical levels help organize the diversity of life in a systematic way.
What additional taxon was proposed above kingdom in modern taxonomy (by Carl Woese)?
Domain
The Domain level classifies life into three broad groups: Archaea, Bacteria, and Eukarya.
What are the three domains of life?
- Archaea
- Bacteria
- Eukarya
The three-domain system reflects genetic differences and evolutionary relationships among major life forms.
Archaea - includes all archaea prokaryotes.
Bacteria - contains all eubacteria prokaryotes.
Eukarya - contains all plants, animals, fungi, and protists.
Which taxon includes all eukaryotic organisms?
Domain Eukarya
Eukaryotes have cells with a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles.
Name the four kingdoms within Eukarya.
- Plantae
- Animalia
- Fungi
- Protista
These kingdoms represent major groups of eukaryotic life, each with distinct characteristics.
What are examples of extreme environments where Archaea can be found?
- Deep-sea vents
- Icy glaciers
- Salt flats
Archaea are extremophiles, capable of surviving in conditions that are hostile to most other life forms.
Which phylum includes all animals with a backbone?
Chordata
Name some of the classes within the phylum Chordata.
- Mammalia
- Aves
- Reptilia
- Amphibia
Which order includes whales and porpoises?
Cetacea
Cetaceans are marine mammals known for their adaptations to life in the ocean, including streamlined bodies and echolocation abilities.
Name the family that includes dogs and related species.
Canidae
Which genus includes lions, tigers, and leopards?
Panthera
What is the mnemonic for remembering the taxonomic levels?
“Dear King Philip Came Over For Good Soup”
Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species.
What is the largest taxon in taxonomy?
Domain
What is the taxonomic level above species?
Genus
A genus includes one or more species that are closely related and share a common ancestor.
How did Linnaeus originally classify organisms?
Based on morphological features.
Morphological features include physical characteristics like shape, size, and structure.
Why have taxonomic categories evolved over time?
Due to new scientific discoveries and DNA analysis.
Advances in genetics and molecular biology have provided more accurate insights into evolutionary relationships.
What are the characteristics of organisms in domain Archaea?
Prokaryotic, live in extreme environments.
What is the purpose of taxonomy?
To systematically organize and classify the diversity of life on Earth.
Taxonomy helps scientists communicate about species, understand evolutionary relationships, and conserve biodiversity.
How do scientists determine the evolutionary relationships between different species?
By comparing genetic sequences and other molecular data.
What challenges arise in taxonomy due to the concept of species?
Variation within species and the potential for hybridization can blur species boundaries, complicating classification.
Define the term ‘species’.
Consists of organisms that can interbreed to produce fertile offspring.
