ECOL1000: Ecological Basis of Environmental Issues

These flashcards cover key concepts from the lecture on biological diversity, its measurements, and models related to biodiversity.

Biodiversity

The variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem.

Endemic species

Organisms that are found only in specific localities.

Genetic diversity

Variations in the genes among individuals of the same species.

Species diversity

The variety of species within a given ecosystem.

Ecological diversity

The variety of ecosystems within a geographical area.

MacArthur-Wilson Equilibrium Model

A model that compares immigration and extinction rates as a function of patch size and isolation.

Tropical biodiversity

The increase in species numbers towards the equator.

Biodiversity hotspots

Areas with high endemism and diversity, containing a large percentage of the world's biodiversity.

Alpha diversity

Local diversity, the number of species in a small area of homogeneous habitat.

Gamma diversity

Regional diversity, the total number of species observed in all habitats within a barrier-free geographic area.