AP Environmental Science Unit 2: Module 8 and 9

Biodiversity

the variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem, including the diversity of species, genetic variation, and ecosystem diversity.

What is the four scales of biodiversity?

genetic diversity, ecosystem diversity, functional diversity, and habitat diversity

Genetic Diversity

a measure of genetic variation among individuals in a population

Species Diversity

the number of species in a region or in a particular ecosystem

Habitat Diversity

the variety of habitats that exist in a given ecosystem

Functional Diversity

the range of different functions or roles that organisms play within an ecosystem, including how they interact with each other and their environment.

Population Battleneck

• when a large population declines in number, the amount of genetic diversity carried by the surviving individuals is greatly reduced

• a sharp, sudden reduction in the size of a population; this can be caused by disasters

Generalists

Species that can adapt to a wide range of conditions and utilize various resources in their environment.

Ecosystem Diversity

the variety of ecosystems that exist in a given region

What does an increase in biodiversity improve in populations and ecosystems?

An increase in biodiversity improves resilience, stability, and productivity in populations and ecosystems. It enhances ecosystem services, allowing for better adaptation to environmental changes.

What happens when theres low genetic diversity?

there is an high like hood that the population will decline more when exposed to disease

When a region contains a high diversity of habitats what happens?

It supports various species, improving overall ecosystem health and resilience.

Species Richness

the number of different species in a given area

Species Evenness

the relative proportion of individual within the different species in a given area

Ecosystem Service

the processes by which life supporting resources such as clean water, timber, fisheries, and agricultural crops are produced

Provision

a good produced by an ecosystem that humans can use directly

Aquacuture

the farming of fish, shellfish, and seaweed

What do ecosystem services include?

provisione services, regulating services, support systems, and cultural services

Bottleneck

a sharp reduction in population size due to environmental events or human activities, leading to a loss of genetic diversity.

Regulating Services

Natural processes that maintain ecosystem health and stability by regulating climate, water quality, and other environmental factors.

Supporting Services

• Natural processes that support ecosystems by providing habitat, maintaining biodiversity, and facilitating nutrient cycling.

• Provide services that would be costly for humans to generate and include

Cultural Services

Natural processes that provide non-material benefits to people, such as spiritual enrichment, recreation, religion, and cultural heritage.