Module 10: Island Biogeography and Ecosystem Services

Flashcards covering key vocabulary related to island biogeography, factors affecting species diversity on islands, and examples of ecosystem services like pollination and pest control.

Island Biogeography

The study of how species are distributed and interacting on islands.

Species-Area Curve

A description of how the number of species on an island increases with the area of the island.

Island Area (Effect on Species Diversity)

Larger islands tend to have more species because they are easier to find, can support larger populations (reducing extinction risk), and offer a wider variety of environmental conditions.

Island Distance (Effect on Species Diversity)

Islands closer to a mainland typically have more species than far islands due to a higher rate of immigration and colonization by new species.

Colonization Rate

The rate at which new species arrive and establish populations on an island, which is a key factor in determining island species richness.

Extinction Rate

The rate at which species populations are lost from an island, influencing the number of species present.

Habitat Islands

Isolated habitats within a terrestrial landscape, such as mountaintops or wetlands, which exhibit species distribution patterns similar to oceanic islands.

Ecological Relationships (on Small Islands)

Smaller islands may not support large predators, leading to increased populations of primary consumers and altered community structures, such as increased herbivory.

Ecosystem Service (Pollination)

A vital benefit humans receive from ecosystems, such as the pollination of plants and crops by species like monarch butterflies and bees.

Ecosystem Service (Pest Control)

A natural benefit provided by ecosystems where natural predators, like ladybugs consuming aphids, control pests, reducing crop damage.