U2T5 - Keywords Flashcards
Biodiversity
AKA biological diversity. Describes the variety of life. Number + variety of organisms in an area.
Species Diversity
Num of diff species + individuals of each species within a community. Includes species richness + diversity index.
Species Richness
Num of diff species in an area. More species = richer. Takes no account of num of individuals of each species.
Simpson’s Diversity Index
Takes num of diff species + individuals present into account.
Ecosystem/Habitat Diversity
Diversity of habitats/ecosystems within an area/the biosphere. Region with wide habitat variety is preferable + includes greater species diversity. e.g. countryside with ponds, river, woodland etc.
Habitat
Place where an organism lives. e.g. pond, leaf on tree.
Ecosystem
Community of organisms + how they interact with each other + their environment. Forms a balanced self-sufficient ecological unit, with its own characteristic pattern of energy flow + nutrient cycling. e.g. forests, ponds, lakes, oceans.
Population
All members of same species in given area at given time. e.g. bluebells in wood, world population.
Community
All populations (living organisms) which live in given area at given time. e.g. woodland community. (all living organisms in wood)
Genetic Diversity
Genetic variability of a species. Measured by genetic fingerprinting/observing differences in physical features of organisms within a population. More adapted = higher diversity.
EIA
Environmental Impact Assessment
Taxonomy
Grouping organisms on account of their ancestral relationships among living organisms. Study of classification. Science of naming, describing + classifying organisms.
Species
A group of individuals of common ancestry that closely resemble each other + are normally capable of interbreeding to produce fertile offspring.
Classification
Arrangement of organisms into groups.
Taxon
Group in taxonomy (increasing size)
Nomenclature
Scientific naming of organisms using binomial system.