Species + Biodiversity

Species - Morphological Definition

2 organisms may look very similar and so are likely to be the same species

Sexual Dimorphism

Differences occur between males and females

Species - Reproductive Definition

2 organisms which can interbreed to produce fertile offspring

Biodiversity

number of species and the number of individuals in each species in a specified region

Extinctions can ____________ biodiversity

alter

Biodiversity can also vary over geological times as ____________ change

conditions

Primary Succession:

beginning step of ecological succession where species known as pioneer species colonize an uninhabited site,

Secondary Succession

a previously occupied area is re-colonized following a disturbance that kills much or all of its community.

Diversity __________ as you move from the poles to the equator

increases

Factors affecting Biodiversity

Habitat Destruction

New diseases

New predators

New competitors

Pollution

Climate Change

Which of these are caused by human effects?

Habitat Destruction

New Diseases

Pollution

Climate Change

Ecosystems

A group of unrelated organisms and their physical environment in an area that has a fairly uniform conditions.

Habitat

The part of an ecosystem in which particular organisms live

Population

All the organisms of one species living in a particular habitat

Community

All the organisms of a species that live together in a habitat

What two factors make up Biodiversity

Species Richness

Species evenness

Impacts of reduced biodiversity:

Small numbers of plant species provide staple food to large populations

Medicinal drugs derived from plants

Plants provide raw material