Ecology and Species Classification

A set of flashcards covering keystone, umbrella, flagship, ring, and invasive species based on the lecture notes.

What is the definition of a keystone species?

A species that plays a critical role in maintaining the structure and function of their ecosystem, such that without it the ecosystem can collapse or change permanently.

How do keystone species affect food webs?

They stabilise the food web.

What is a trophic cascade as seen with the Great white shark?

A top down effect where the loss of the apex predator results in a large increase in the number of midlevel predators (mesopredators).

What are the identifying features of a keystone species?

The ability to eat a variety of organisms (keeping populations under control), influence on other organisms out of proportion to its biomass or abundance, and large negative impacts on biodiversity if removed.

What is an umbrella species?

Species that through their conservation will protect many other species; their conservation is imperative to protecting the rest of the ecosystem.

What is a flagship species?

A species chosen to raise funds to support ecology conservation, which then funds the conservation of an entire ecosystem.

What characterizes a ring species?

A 'ring' of separated species that can reproduce with species that are geographically close, but are too genetically different from other species/sub species to reproduce.

What is an invasive species?

A species of organism that is not native to a particular area.

Why do some invasive species cause a large loss in native biodiversity?

This can be due to increased competition or characteristics that native species have not coevolved with.