M5 IQ 1 Topic 2 - Ecosystems and their management: Vulnerability and resilience of ecosystems Flashcards
what does vulnerability refer to
not having the ability to be able to adapt to change
what factors determine if a ecosystem in vulnerable to change
B.E.L.L Biodiversity Extent Location Linkages
what is biodiversity
the variety of all life forms in through genetics, species, and ecosystems
How do genetics determine biodiversity
The more genetic diversity in a species means a greater ability for individuals to adapt to change allowing the species to survive
How does the range of species determine biodiversity
The greater the range of species, the greater an ecosystem’s resilience
How does the range of ecosystems determine biodiversity
the more of similar ecosystems, the higher resistance a species will have to change
what does extent refer to
the size of the area of effect, with the small the ecosystem the vulnerable
what does location refer to
how latitude, distance from the sea and altitude affect climate which impact on nature.
what does linkages refer to
How interdependent the components of a ecosystem are ( The more independent the less vulnerable)
what is resilience
the ability for an ecosystem to adapt to change and restore function and structure of the environment after an episode of natural of human stress
what does elasticity refer to
The ecosystems rate of recovery
what does malleability refer to
The difference between pre stress level & recovery level
what does amplitude refer to
The threshold of strain beyond which full recovery is impossible
what are the characteristics Natural stress
Natural induced events that cause small scale change and have a low impact on the functioning of the ecosystem
Give an example of natural stress
GBR: cyclones can destroy small sections of coral but cause a small impact on the functioning as it provides relief from crown-thorn starfish
what are the characteristics of Human stress
Human induced events that cause large (global) scale change and have a large impact on the functioning of ecosystems
List examples of human stress (5)
- Islandisation
- Pollution
- Overharvesting
- Habitat destruction
- Species Introduced
what is the cause of Islandisation
Leaving undisturbed pockets of habitat amongst surrounding modified habitat
List an example of Islandisation related issues(1)
Brazilian rainforest, The Ant Bird
- The ant Bird is psychologically engineered to stay out of areas of bare cover, and will not cross logging roads cut through the forest even if there only food source (Red Ants) move over.
what is the cause of pollution
Improper waste disposal, and constant production of greenhouse gases
List an examples of pollution induced issues(2)
- Eutrophication of the coral reef, preventing coral from being able to gain nutrients from the sun (photosynthesise)
- Coral bleaching, due to change in water temperature causing coral polyps to expel zooxanthellae
what is the cause of overharvesting
species are being removed faster than they can grow
List an example of overharvesting (1)
half of the world’s, newly discovered species found each year are harvested
what is the cause of habitat destruction
the exploitation of the environment for it’s resources
List an example of habitat destruction
3 football fields of the amazon rainforest is cut down every minute
what is the cause of species introduction
Movement of foreign species into new environments
List an example of species introduction
Hawaii, Giant snail and cannibal snail
- over 100 native snail species lost due to the introduction of giant snails to hawaii and due to efforts to control the issue with cannibal snails leading to the killing of endemic snails
