Ecosystems Flashcards
Richness
The # of species in a community
Evenness
The abundance of species
Biome
Large geographic area recognized by its distinct structure
Biotic Factors
Living components of an ecosystem: plants, animals, and bacteria
Abiotic
Non-Living components of the environment: temperature, sunlight, water, air, etc.
Latitude
Distance from the equator
What do ecosystems near the equator have more ____
Diversity
Equilibrium model of island
biogeographic
Balance between the rate at which new species arrive and species on the land become extent
What is the Equilibrium model of island
biogeographic shaped by?
- Island Size
- Distance to shore
Island Size
- Bigger target area, so they receive more
immigrants - Lower rate of extinction because they
can maintain large populations
Distance from shore
- More immigrants from close proximity
- Lower extinction because they are
sustained by immigration
Keystone Species
Increase biodiversity despite being predators
Ecosystem Engineers
Purposely changing the environment to suit their needs
Succession
Gradual change in a community following a disturbance
Primary Succession
Lose all of the soil
Secondary Succession
Some soil is ruined. Can still recover
Ecosystem Services: Supporting
Things we get from nature: Oxygen from trees
Ecosystem Services: Provisioning
Naturally makes food
Ecosystem Services: Regulatory
We have planted stuff there
Ecosystem Services: Cultural
Enjoying the outdoors
Habitat Fragmentation
Taking an intact habitat and separating it
Edge effects
Edges support different
species than interior spaces
Density Dependent
Can only kill you if you’re around other members of your species
Density Independent
Can kill you regardless if you’re around members of your species
Thermohalene Collapse
Deep ocean current is controlling the temperatures
Less space within fragment
Supports
fewer species, especially large mammals
How can we protect biodiversity?
Geographically defined area that is
designated or regulated as damaged to
achieve a particular conservation
objective
Strict nature reserve
For scientific
research only, no tourism
