Biodiversity Flashcards
Variety of genes/inheritable characteristics present in the population
genetic diversity
individual genetic variation within a population
genetic diversity
increases the chances that individuals will survive during changing environment/new diseases
genetic diversity
genetic differences between populations (adaptations to local conditions)
genetic diversity
Variety of ecosystems that is present in the biosphere (including different kinds of places where organisms live and how they interact with each other)
ecosystem diversity
extinction of populations of one species
can have a negative impact on other species in the ecosystem
ecosystem diversity
physical characteristics to
classify species
typological species concept
Description of the species provide
detailed record of physical
characteristics
typological species concept
Limitations of typological species concept?
alleles produce different traits
within species
Species is determined by
similarity of characteristics and
ability to interbreed and produce
fertile offspring
biological species concept
Most commonly used species
concept
biological species concept
Limitations of biological species concept?
- Occasionally, some species interbreed
- Doesn’t account for extinct species
determined by evolutionary history
phylogenetic species concept
Accounts for extinct species
and molecular data
phylogenetic species concept
Limitations of phylogenetic species concept?
evolutionary history is
not known for all species
variety and extent of
differences among living things
species diversity
number of different
species and the relative abundance of
species in a biological community
species diversity
increases the likelihood of some members of a species to survive in a changed environment
species diversity
species on which other species in an
ecosystem depend on; if it were removed, the ecosystem would
change drastically
keystone species
not abundant in nature
keystone species
Controls community structure by their
pivotal ecological roles
keystone species
limits the abundance of
competitively dominant species
keystone species
strong effects on their communities
as a result of their large size, high
abundance, or pivotal role in community dynamics
foundation species
provide significant habitat or food for
other species
foundation species
create or dramatically alter their
physical environment
ecosystem engineers
effects can either be positive or negative
depending on the needs of the other species
ecosystem engineers
Also known as invasive,
nonnative, or exotic species
introduced species
causes ecological or economic harm in a new environment where it is not native
introduced species
moved by humans either intentionally or accidentally from its native location to a new geographic region
introduced species
republic act 9147
Prohibits the introduction of
alien species in protected and
critical habitats
the number of different species in the community
species richness
proportion each species represents of
all individuals in the community
species evenness/relative abundance
the most abundant species
species dominance
index used to calculate the diversity based on species richness and relative abundance
shannon diversity index
What does a higher value of H mean, when solving for diversity with the Shannon diversity index?
it means that the ecosystem is more diverse
ability to resist change in the face of disturbances
stability
One factor that promotes an
ecosystem’s stability is…?
biodiversity
increase the probability of organism’s adaptation and survival in a changing environment
stable ecosystem
international organization working in the field of nature conservation and sustainable use of natural resources; data gathering and analysis
international union of conservation and nature (IUCN)
critical indicator of the
health of the world’s biodiversity
IUCN red list of threatened species
human intervention and an attempt to preserve critically endangered species
conservation status
refers to a specific category of
threatened species including critically endangered species
IUCN red list
high risk of extinction in the wild in the medium-term future
vulnerable species
very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future
endangered species
extremely high risk of extinction in the wild in the immediate future
critically endangered species
Refers to any species of animals, plants, fungi, and other organisms that are vulnerable to endangerment in the near future
threatened species
end of a species or group of species. Happens when last extant member of a species dies, and when capacity to breed and recover is lost
extinction
there are no surviving individuals that can reproduce and create a new generation
extinction
Species known only to survive in cultivation are categorized as…?
extinct in the wild (EW)
wherein large numbers of species
become extinct worldwide
mass extinction
may occur due to habitat destruction and inability to adapt to a changed environment
extinction
leads to native species relocating
or dying
habitat loss
clearing or destruction of habitat
habitat destruction
disruption of ecosystem processes
habitat disruption
separation of an ecosystem into small pieces of land
habitat fragmentation
different environmental conditions that occur along the boundaries of an ecosystem
edge effect
species are not a threat to biodiversity in their native habitats
introduced species
Often reproduce in large numbers because of a lack of predators and become invasive species in their new habitat
introduced species
Harvesting of wild organisms at rates
exceeding the ability of their
populations to rebound
overharvesting
alterations in climate, atmospheric chemistry, and broad ecological systems that reduce the capacity to sustain life
climate change
rain, snow, or fog with a pH less than 5.2. The burning of wood and fossil fuels releases oxides of sulfur and
nitrogen that react with water in air, forming sulfuric and nitric acids.
acid precipitation
resources that are replaced by natural processed faster than they are consumed. Supply is not unlimited.
renewable resources
resources found in limited amounts/replaced by natural processes over extremely long periods of time
non-renewable resources
random fun fact
Species are considered renewable resources until the last of a species dies. When extinction occurs, a species is nonrenewable because it is lost forever
using resources at a rate in which they can be replaced or recycled while preserving the long-term environmental health of the biosphere
sustainable use
Population conservation focuses on what factors?
population size, genetic diversity, critical habitat
Establishing protected areas by preserving what?
- biodiversity hotspots
- nature reserves
- zoned reserves
relatively small area with numerous endemic species, and a large number of endangered and threatened species
biodiversity hotspots
protected “islands” of biodiversity in a sea of habitat altered or degraded by human activity
nature reserves
extensive region; includes areas relatively undisturbed by humans surrounded by areas that have been changed by humans
zoned reserves
use of living organisms, such as prokaryotes, fungi, or plants, to detoxify a polluted area
bioremediation
Adding natural predators to a degraded ecosystem
biological augmentation
