APES: Unit 2 The Living World- Biodiversity

Three scales of biodiversity (Smallest to largest)

Genetic, species, and ecosystem

What is genetic diversity?

all the different genes contained in all individual plants, animals, fungi, and micro-organisms

What´s a genetic bottleneck?

Reduction of size of a populations diversity.

The Amish having six fingers or the Irish Potato Famine

What is species diversity?

The differences within and between populations of species

What are the 10 types of species diversity?

Native, non-native, invasive, endemic, specialist, generalist, keystone, foundation, endangered, and indicator

Native Species

Historically supposed to be there (White tail deer)

Non-native species

Historically not found there (honeybees, Japanese Maple)

Invasive Species

Not found there and has a negative impact of the ecosystem (Cane toads, bush honeysuckle, zebra mussels, Bradford Pears)

Endemic Species

Only found in one place (Galapagos Island Tortoise, Scottish wildcat)

Specialist Species

Narrow niche, lives in one habitat, one food, one job (Koalas)

Generalist Species

Broad niche (Raccoons, invasive species are typically generalists.

Keystone Species

Dertimes how well the ecosystem survives (Wolves in Yellowstone)

Foundation Species

Habitat builders (Beavers, Coral reefs)

Endangered Species

Population numbers are so low they are likely to go extinct (White rhino)

Indicator Species

Shows the health of the ecosystem (Monarch butterflies)

What are the four ecosystem services?

Provisioning, regulating, cultural, and supporting

Provisioning Ecosystem Service

Material/energy services. Can buy/sell/hold

Forests provide lumber for humans to sell and make homes out of.

Regulating Ecosystem Service

Stabilizers for air, water, and soil quality, or provide flood and disease control.

Urban trees provide shade that lowers heating bills and absorb water which reduces runoff and flooding that would cost humans a lot of money.

Cultural Ecosystem Services

Non-material benefits

Hiking and green spaces provide mental and physical health for humans

Supporting Ecosystem Service

Necessary for the production of the other ecosystem services. ONLY HABITAT OR GENETIC DIVERSITY

What are the four terms relating to island biography

Distance, size, extinction, and invasive species

Distance for Ocean Biogeography

The closer an island is to the mainland, the more biodiverse it is because species can get to it easier

Size for Ocean Biogeography

The bigger the island, the more biodiverse it will be because there is more niches on the island that reduces competition between species

Extinction for Island Biogeography

The smaller and further away an island is, the more likely the animals will go extinct because there is less space/materials/niches for the species to use.

Invasive Species for Island Biogeography

The smaller and closer an island is, the more likely it will be heavily affected by invasive species because there is less space/niches for native species to go to when their own niche is taken over

What is ecological succession?

A gradual change in species composition in a given area

What are the two types of ecological succession?

Primary and Secondary succession

Primary Succession

Gradual establishment of biotic communities in lifeless areas. NO SOIL OR SEDIMENTS (Beach grasses)

Secondary Succession

Series of communities that develop in places containing SOIL AND SEDIMENT

What are Pioneer Species?

Firsts to colonize an area (Lichens on rocks)

What are Climax Species?

The last species to an area, not changing anymore (oaks, hickories, maples, and beeches)

What are three types of Natural Disruptions?

Wildfires, Flooding, and Volcanic Eruptions

What are pros of Wildfires?

Gives shade-intolerant plants a chance to grow, ash fertilizes the soil, and fire dependent species can grow

What are the cons of Wildfires?

Kills small animals, fire damages food and shelter, and fire burns up all the roots (Roots prevented the soil from moving and eroding)

What are the pros of Flooding?

Deposits nutrient rich sediments and there are flood adapted species

What are the cons of Flooding?

Saturated soils kill plants by drowning the roots, soil washes away, and burrows and dens get destroyed, causing animals to relocate

What are the pros of Volcanic Eruptions?

Ash bring nutrients to ecosystems (This is the only way islands can get new nutrients)

What are the cons of Volcanic Eruptions?

Lava cover ups soil and kills plants and animals

What are the three Earth System Processes?

Periodic, Episodic, and Random

Periodic Earth System Process

Regular and repeating, can be times (The tides, sunrise/sunset)

Episodic Earth System Process

Irregular, but repeating (Volcanic eruptions, earthquakes)

Random Earth System Process

Meteorite strikes

Limiting Factor Principle

Too much or too little of anything can limit or prevent growth of a population even if all other factors are at or near the optimal range of tolerance (precipitation, nutrients, sunlight)

Ecological Tolerance

The range of conditions in which a species can survive