Unit 2 Flashcards
Levels of biodiversity
Genetic
Species
Ecosystem
Genetic diversity
How different the genes are of individuals in a population
Species diversity
The number of different species in an ecosystem and the balance, or evenness of the population sizes of all species
Ecosystem diversity
The number of different habitats available in a given area
Bottleneck
A chance of an event that reduces individuals drastically, reducing genetic variation
Founder effect
few individuals start a new population. variation changes from the original population.
Generalist
Survive in a wide range of conditions and has a diverse diet
Specialist
Survive in a narrow range of conditions, and have a limited diet
Richness
Number of species in a given area
Evenness
Abundance of species in a given area
What does richness and evenness reveal about an ecosystem
High richness more species equals more quality resources
Evenness if there are one or two dominant species population sizes are balanced
Definition of provisioning
Goods produced, or provided by ecosystems
Examples of provisioning
Food, fresh water, fuel wood, fiber, biochemicals, genetic resources
Define regulating
Benefits obtained from regulation of ecosystem processes
Examples of regulating
Climate regulation, disease regulation, flood regulation, detoxification, filtration, storm damage
Define cultural
Nonmaterial benefits, obtain from ecosystems
Example of cultural
Spiritual, recreational, aesthetic, inspirational, educational, symbolic
Define supporting
Natural ecosystem supporting themselves
Examples of supporting
Soil formation, nutrient cycling, primary production, pollination, water cycle, photosynthesis
Zone of tolerance
The range of an environmental condition that is beneficial for the organism
Five ways humans have disrupted ecosystem services on earth
Pollution, deforestation, habitat destruction, overharvesting, water, pollution, climate change, introduction of invasive species
Size and location affect immigration and extinction rates
Island biogeography
Larger island = greater ecosystem diversity = more food, and habitat resources, more niches
Closer to mainland = easier for a colonizing organisms to get to the island = more genetic diversity in a new population
Why are island specialist susceptible to extinction?
They can only live in a specific range of conditions, and eat certain types of food. This means if the range of conditions and food are not available, they are most likely to die.
Zone of intolerance
No Organisms. Too high or low range conditions. Where organisms die
Zone of physiological stress
Few organisms. Where organisms survive would experience some stress as infertility lack of growth decrease activity.
Zone of optimum
Abundance of organisms. Minimal stress In range conditions. Able to survive, grow and reproduce.
Examples of natural disruptions to the environment
Fires, epidemics, droughts, floods, hurricanes
Compare resistance to resilience
Resistance - ability of an ecosystem to maintain normal functions and processes during a disturbance
Resilience - ability of an ecosystem to recover after a disturbance
Primary succession
Community change that occurs with new land formation
Secondary succession
Community change that occurs with land already forM
