Global Change Ecology

Levels of Biological Organization

Cells- life’s fundamental unit of structure and function

individual organisms- a living thing

populations- consists of all living things in a particular ecosystem

communities- organisms inhabiting a particular ecosystem

ecosystems- consists of all living things in a particular area along with non living things

Biodiversity Measurement Levels

genes/ genetic diversity- a small scale, measured within a single species

species- includes the # species

Ecosystems- # of habitats an ecosystem contains

Speciation

The process by which new species arise, contributing to biodiversity.

Extinction Events

The occurrence of species dying out, which reduces biodiversity.

4 type of Ecosystem Services

provisioning- the things we obtain or harvest from an ecosystem (food and wood)

regulating- controlling/ regulating something in an environment (plants using plants using photosynthesis to provide clean air. Microbes in water that are filtering the water)

cultural- things that we see pleasing and interesting. (recreation, education, and aesthetic)

supporting services- things that are needed to sustain life (biodiversity, photosynthesis, habitat)

Loss of Biodiversity Factors

Habitat loss

pollution

invasive species

overexploitation

climate change

Outcomes for Species Facing Global Change

Extinction, adaptation, migration, or population decline.

Circumstances Leading to Extinction

Small population size, specialized habitat, rapid environmental changes.

Disturbances and Extinction Risk relation

Natural or human-induced events that may threaten species survival.

Abiotic Factors

Non-living components like temperature, water, and nutrients.

Biotic Factors

Living components like competition, predation, and symbiosis.

Habitat Loss vs. Habitat Fragmentation

Habitat loss is the total decrease in habitat area; fragmentation is the division of habitats into smaller, isolated patches.

Endemic Species

Species native to a specific location, often with limited distribution.

Introduced Species

Non-native species that are brought into a new habitat.

Invasive Species

Non-native species that spread and cause harm to local ecosystems.

Types of Pollution

Air pollution, water pollution, and soil pollution.

Bioaccumulation

The buildup of substances in an organism over time.

Biomagnification

The increasing concentration of toxins as you move up the food chain.

Greenhouse Gas Effect

The trapping of heat in the atmosphere, leading to climate change.

Abundant Greenhouse Gases

Carbon dioxide- respiraion by plants and burning of fossil fuels

methane- natural gas from earth surface( geological processes) and fossil fuel extraction

nitrous oxide- soil processes (nitrification and denitrification in soils, particularly in wetland areas) and wastewater treatements that release N2O

water vapor- evaporation and urbanization (buildings and vehicles can increase localized water)

Anthropogenic Sources

Human activities such as fossil fuel burning releasing greenhouse gases.