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Earth 122 > Chapter 9: Habitats > Flashcards

Chapter 9: Habitats Flashcards

1
Q

Biodiversity

A

the total sum of all organisms in an area (genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity)

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2
Q

Species diversity

A

The number or variety of species in the world/particular region

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3
Q

What does the RICHNESS of a species describe?

A

The number of species

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4
Q

What is the evenness or relative abundance of a species?

A

The extent to which numbers of individuals of a different species are equal/unequal

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5
Q

What is genetic diversity?

A

The varieties in DNA among individuals within a species

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6
Q

What does genetic diversity mean for species survival?

A

More genetic diversity often ensures a better chance for a species to adapt to environmental change

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7
Q

What is a genetic bottleneck? When does it occur?

A

A genetic bottleneck is when a limited variety of genetic material is available to be passed down from the small amount of surviving species to their descendants. Occurs when there is a dramatic decrease in population.

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8
Q

What is ecosystem diversity based on?

A

Variations in a given area by climate, topography, soil type, other physical factors

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9
Q

Define extirpation

A

The extinction of a species within a certain region

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10
Q

How do taxonomists(species scientists) name species?

A

Based on two parts: Genus(related) and Species(specific).
Ex. Polar bear- Ursus(genus) Maritimus(species)
American black bear- Ursus Americanus

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11
Q

What are generalists and specialists? In what environmental conditions are they preferred?

A

Generalist- species that can deal with a wide range of circumstances, do no one thing very well
Specialist- do only particular things very well
Generalists are preferred in variable environmental conditions, specialists preferred in stable conditions.

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12
Q

What is an ecotone?

A

Region where different types of habitats intermix

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13
Q

About how many species have been identified by scientists?

A

1.8 million

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14
Q

What is the latitudinal gradient?

A

The general increase of species richness as you get closer to the equator(due to plant productivity and climate stability)

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15
Q

What does SARA stand for

A

Canadian Species at Risk Act

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16
Q

What is a threatened species?

A

A species likely to become endangered in the near future

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17
Q

What is the background rate of extinction?

A

The rate at which many extinctions occured on earth prior to the appearance of humans (One by one)

18
Q

When did the extinction of dinosaurs occur?

A

~65 million years ago, End of Cretaceous period

19
Q

What makes a species “vulnerable”?

A

When their characteristics make them particularly sensitive to human activities or natural events

20
Q

What does it mean for a species to be ENDEMIC?

A

Occurs in only one region in Earth(eg. golden toad of costa rica)

21
Q

What are invasive species?

A

Non native species who are introduced to new environments(often pushes native species towards extinction)

22
Q

Why are top predators often “keystone” species?

A

Top predators prey on many other carnivores, who pray on herbivores. The removal of a top predator could have a big impact on species lower down in the food chain

23
Q

What is biophilia?

A

the connections that humans subconsciously seek with life(going to parks, owning pets etc.)

24
Q

Nature Deficit Disorder

A

Alienation from the natural environment(can result in emotional and physical problems)

25
Q

What is conservation biology?

A

A scientific discipline devoted to understanding the factors and processes that influence the loss, protection, and restoration of biological diversity

26
Q

What is the equilibrium theory of island biogeography?

A

(mcarthur 1963) explains how species came to be distributed among oceanic islands, and habitat islands

27
Q

Describe the distance effect?

A

The farther an island is located from a continent, the fewer species tend to find and colonize it.

28
Q

Describe area effect?

A

Large islands tend to contain more species because they generally have more habitats than smaller islands. This provides suitable environments for a wider variety of species

29
Q

What is habitat fragmentation?

A

When terrestrial habitat “islands” such as forests are cut into smaller areas by logging and road building

30
Q

How does cloning work?

A

DNA from a[n endangered] species is inserted into a cultured egg without a nucleus, and the egg is implanted into a closely related species to act as a surrogate mother

31
Q

What are umbrella species?

A

large species that roam great distances and require large areas of habitat(tigers, bears, elephants)

32
Q

What are flagship species?

A

Large and charismatic species used as figureheads for species conservation efforts

33
Q

What is Canada’s conservational organization? The USA’s?

A

Canada: SARA, species at risk act
USA: EPA, environmental protection agency

34
Q

How many biodiversity hotspots exist in the world?

A

35.

35
Q

What is a biodiversity hotspot?

A

An area that supports a great amount of species that are endemic(found nowhere else in the world)

36
Q

Define ecoregion

A

a large area of land or water with a geographically distinct assembly of natural communities that share similar environmental conditions and ecological dynamics

37
Q

What is the debt-for-nature swap?

A

An economic strategy that requires an environmental group/corporation to take on a portion of the debt of a devoloping country in exchange for some form of environmental protection or conservation

38
Q

What is conservation concession?

A

When conservation organizations pay nations to conserve, and not sell, resources

39
Q

What does the wise use movement advocate?

A

Protection of property rights, opposing government regulation (anti-conservation)

40
Q

land trust

A

local/regional organizations that purchase land with the aim of preserving it in its natural condition

41
Q

What are biosphere reserves?

A

Tracts of land with exceptional biodiversity (managed for preservation and sustainable development)

Earth 122 (15 decks)

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