ESS 3.1 Biodiversity and Evolution

Biodiversity

The total diversity of living systems, including species, genetic, and habitat diversity.

Species Diversity

The number of different species and their relative abundance in a community.

Genetic Diversity

The variety of genes within a population or species.

Habitat Diversity

The number of different habitats or ecological niches in an ecosystem.

Natural Selection

The process by which individuals with favorable traits survive and reproduce more successfully.

Evolution

The change in genetic composition of a population over successive generations.

Speciation

The formation of new species through evolutionary processes.

Simpson's Reciprocal Index

A measure of species diversity used to compare ecosystems and monitor changes.

Endemic Species

Species that are native to and found only in a specific geographical location.

Resilience (of ecosystems)

The ability of an ecosystem to recover from disturbances and maintain function.

Mutation

A change in DNA that can introduce new genetic variation.

Sexual Reproduction

Involves recombination of genetic material, increasing variation.

Reproductive Isolation

Mechanisms that prevent interbreeding between populations, leading to speciation.

Biodiversity Hotspots

Regions with exceptionally high biodiversity and many endemic species.

Artificial Selection

The human-directed breeding of organisms for specific traits, reducing genetic diversity.

Anthropocene

A proposed geological epoch marked by human impact on Earth's systems.

Mass Extinction

A period when many species go extinct in a short time; often followed by rapid speciation.

Geological Epochs

Time divisions based on fossil records that show evolutionary history.

Selective Pressure

Environmental factors that influence which traits are advantageous.