science unit 5 Flashcards
Identify and describe the major scales of ecology.
ecosystem- a local region and all of its biotic and abiotic factors, communities- the set of all the biotic factors in a ecosystem, populations- a group of all living things of the same species in a community
Compare the three types of biodiversity
genetic diversity- diversity within a species, species diversity- diversity between species, ecosystem diversity- diversity between ecosystems
What are evenness and richness in the context of species diversity
the abundance of each species
How can a drop in biodiversity cause instability in an ecosystem in terms of resource use as well as disease
losing potential sources of new treatments for diseases Loss of soil biodiversity makes soil less resilient and undermines its ability to support wild and cultivated food plants
How are genetic diversity and population growth rate related to the restoration of biodiversity
Genetic variation will only slowly be restored through the accumulation of mutations over many generations
Describe three ways invasive species are harmful to natural ecosystems
alerting habitats, reducing biodiversity, causing extinctions of native plants and animals
Why do many invasive species thrive in their new homes
They often lack predators, competitors, or parasites in their new home, so populations can grow rapidly without natural enemies to keep them in check
Describe the ‘three R’ and how they can impact waste production. Reduce means to minimise the amount of waste we create
Reuse refers to using items more than once. Recycle means putting a product to a new use instead of throwing it away. Reduces the amount of waste that will need to be recycled or sent to landfills and incinerators
Identify the differences between trash, recycling, and compost. Know practical examples of the kinds of waste associated with each
Recycling involves breaking down materials to create new products, while composting involves breaking down organic waste to create soil
