Chapter 4: Biodiversity and Evolution

Ecological Diversity

The variety of ecosystems found in an area or on the earth.

Biological Diversity

Variety in the earths species.

Biological Diversity

Variety in the earths species

Functional Diversity

Variety of processes within an ecosystem

Genetic Diversity

Variety of genes in a population

Species Diversity

Number and variety of species

Ecological Diversity

The variety of ecosystems found in an area or on the earth

Biological evolution

How life changes over time and it can be seen through the differences in genetic characteristics

Natural selection

Individuals with certain traits are more likely to survive and reproduce under a certain set of environmental conditions

Fossils

Physical evidence of old organisms

Fossil Record

Entire body of fossil evidence

Mutations

Random changes in DNA molecules

Natural selection

Acts on individual

Genetic Resistance

Ability of one or more members of a population to resist a chemical designed to kill it

Adaptation

An organism becomes better suited to its habitat (where it lives) from a genetic trait

Differential Reproduction

A phenomenon in which people who possess adaptable genetic qualities have more viable offspring than people who have not

Speciation

One species splits into two or more species

Geographic Isolation

Physical isolation of populations for a long period

Reproductive Isolation

This leads to an inability to produce proper offspring when two individuals from separate species mate

Extinction

Process in which an entire species ceases to exist

Endemic Species

Found only in one area, particularly vulnerable to extinction

Background Extinction

Typical low rate of extinction

Mass Extinction

Significant rise above background level

Species Diversity

The number of different species present in an ecosystem and the relative abundance of each of those species

Species Richness

The number of different species in a given area

Species Evenness

Comparative number of individuals of each species present

Ecological Niche

Everything that affects survival and reproduction

Generalist Species

Wide range of tolerance, broad species

Specialist Species

Narrow range of tolerance, narrow niche

Indicator Species

Provides us with early warnings of environmental damage

Native Species

Normally live in an ecosystem

Nonnative Species

Not native

Keystone Species

Have a large effect on the types and abundances of other species

Foundation Species

Species that create habitats and cause a positive effect on diversity

Functional Diversity

Variety of processes within an ecosystem

Genetic Diversity

Variety of genes in a population

Species Diversity

Number and variety of species

Ecological Diversity

The variety of ecosystems found in an area or on the earth

Biological evolution

How life changes over time and it can be seen through the differences in genetic characteristics.

Natural selection

Individuals with certain traits are more likely to survive and reproduce under a certain set of environmental conditions.

Mutations

Random changes in DNA molecules

Natural selection

Acts on individual

Genetic Resistance

Ability of one or more members of a population to resist a chemical designed to kill it.

Adaptation

An organism becomes better suited to its habitat (where it lives) from a genetic trait.

Differential Reproduction

A phenomenon in which people who possess adaptable genetic qualities have more viable offspring than people who have not.

Speciation

One species splits into two or more species

Geographic Isolation

Physical isolation of populations for a long period

Reproductive Isolation

This leads to an inability to produce proper offspring when two individuals from separate species mate.

Extinction

Process in which an entire species ceases to exist

Endemic Species

Found only in one area, particularly vulnerable to extinction

Mass Extinction

Significant rise above background level

Ecological Niche

Everything that affects survival and reproduction

Generalist Species

Wide range of tolerance, broad species

Specialist Species

Narrow range of tolerance, narrow niche

Indicator Species

Provides us with early warnings of environmental damage.

Keystone Species

Have a large effect on the types and abundances of other species

Foundation Species

Species that create habitats and cause a positive effect on diversity