TOPIC 1 biodiversity Flashcards
Biodiversity
the variety of life on earth
Three main types of biodiversity
genetic, species, and ecosystem
Genetic Diversity
genetic variation within populations and between populations within a species
Species Diversity
all the variety of species of animals and plants in an area
Most well-known unit of biodiversity
Ecosystem DIversity
the variety of different habitats in a region and their patterns/linkages across a landscape
Loss of species also means loss of _________
genetic diversity
Benefits of biodiversity
ecosystems provide ecosystem services
Ecosystem services
regulating services, supporting services, and cultural services
Regulating Services
climate regulation, purification of water and air, pollination, and pest control
Supporting Services
services to preserve the viability of earth’s biosphere
production of O2 and absorption of CO2, cycling of biomass/nutrients/water, providing habitats
Two types of biodiversity loss
extinction and extirpation
Extinction
a species is extinct when it exists nowhere on the globe
Extirpation
a species is extirpated when it no longer exists in a defined geographic region but can be found else where
Endangered species
threatened with imminent extinction
Threatened Species
likely to become extinct if no action is taken
