Intro to Biodiversity 2.1

Biodiversity

The variety of life forms in an ecosystem, measured at three levels:genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity.

Genetic Diversity

The variation in genes among individuals within a population, which affects the population's ability to respond to environmental stressors.

Species Diversity

The number of different species in an ecosystem and the balance of their population sizes.

Ecosystem Diversity

The variety of habitats available in a given area, contributing to overall biodiversity.

Species Richness

The total number of different species found in an ecosystem, indicating ecosystem health.

Evenness

A measure of how balanced the individual organisms are among different species in an ecosystem.

Population Bottleneck

An event that drastically reduces population size, leading to a loss of genetic diversity and increased vulnerability.

Generalist Species

Species that can thrive in a wide variety of habitats and situations.

Specialist Species

Species that have a limited range of habitats and are more affected by habitat loss.

Inbreeding Depression

The reduced biological fitness in a population due to inbreeding, leading to increased genetic abnormalities.

Ecosystem Resilience

The ability of an ecosystem to return to its original conditions after a major disturbance, enhanced by higher biodiversity.

Environmental Stressors

Factors such as drought, disease, or famine that challenge the survival of a population.