Ecosystems Definitions

Question 1

Location

Answer 1

Attitude latitude, distance from sea

Question 2

Extent

Answer 2

the size of any particular ecosystem. Larger is better for survival

Question 3

Genetic diversity

Answer 3

Variability in the genetic makeup among individuals within a single species

Question 4

Species diversity

Answer 4

Number of different species in the ecosystem

Question 5

Ecosystem Diversity

Answer 5

variety of habitats and living communities in the ecosystem

Question 6

Linkages

Answer 6

The greater the amount of linkages the more adaptable the ecosystem is.

Question 7

Catastrophic Natural stress

Answer 7

is a sudden and violent natural occurrence like a Volcanic eruption or mudslide

Question 8

Gradual Natural stress

Answer 8

is a stress that occurs over longer period of time

Question 9

Catastrophic Human stress

Answer 9

Is a sudden Human induced stress like deforestation fire

Question 10

Gradual Human stress

Answer 10

Is a stress caused by humans that occurs over a long time; pollution water or air or urbanisation

Question 11

Human impacts at a organism level

Answer 11

Physiological and biological changes, changes in reproduction less or defects

Question 12

Human impacts at a population level

Answer 12

Population increase or decrease, change age structure, loss of genetic diversity

Question 13

Human impacts at a community level

Answer 13

disruption of energy flows, changes in food web, disruption of chemical cycles, reduction in diversity, or ecosystem collapse

Question 14

Maintenance of genetic diversity

Answer 14

Ecosystems rich in diversity generally have greater resilience and therefore able to weather stress better.

Question 15

Utility Value

Answer 15

By maintaining and protecting ecosystems we maximise humanity’s ability to adapt to change. The sheer diversity of life represent a vast store discoveries.

Question 16

Intrinsic value

Answer 16

Ecosystems have a right to exist irrespective of actual value

Question 17

Heritage value

Answer 17

‘natural features consisting of physical and biological formations of groups of such formations are of outstanding universal value from the aesthetic of scientific point of view’

Question 18

Need to allow natural change to proceed

Answer 18

The diversity of life forms on earth is a product of ongoing evolutionary processes.we need to see that this evolutionary process continues relatively unimpeded

Question 19

inter-generational equity

Answer 19

The present generation should not use resources or degrade environment in ways make the environment worse for the next

Question 20

Precautionary approach t

Answer 20

Where there are threats of serious or irreversible environmental damage and action is taken to prevent it no matter the certainty of the threat

Question 21

Intra-generational equity

Answer 21

People within the present generation have a right to benefit equally from the utilisation of the earth’s natural resources