Week 13: Vocab Flashcards
Background extinction rate
The extinction rate during “typical” times (not during mass extinction)
Endemic
Species that are found in only one place in the world
Indicator species
A species whose presence indicates a healthy ecosystem
Productivity
An indicator of how effectively plants convert sunlight into food
Measured by the weight of plant material produced in the ecosystem (more plant material= more productivity)
Stability
The ability of an ecosystem to resist environmental disturbances (weather changes, fire, drought, etc.) and return to its original configuration after them
Biodiversity
The variety of species living in an ecosystem
Genetic diversity
The degree of genetic difference among individuals in a species
Keystone Species
A single species that has a disproportionate effect on an ecosystem’s biodiversity
Species Abundance
The number of individuals of each species present in an ecological community
Diversity Index
A formula that measures species diversity by taking into account richness, abundance and evenness
Species Evenness
The pattern of species abundance
Habitat Diversity
The range of different types of natural homes or environments in which an organism lives
Latitudinal gradient
The decrease in the number of species as one moves away from the equator into the polar regions
Species richness
The diversity of species alive in an area
