APES unit 2

ecosystem diversity

the # of habitats in an area

species diversity

the # of different species in an ecosystem and their balance/evenness

genetic diversity

the variety of genes among individuals of the same species

richness

total amount of different species in an ecosystem

evenness

how well balanced organisms are

bottleneck event

an environmental disturbance that leads to ↓↓↓ in population sizes regardless of genome

individuals die randomly, giving survivors a different gene pool

inbreeding

when close family members mate with one another

can lead to harmful genetic mutations

ecosystem resilience

an ecosystem’s ability to return to its original conditions after a major disturbance

ecosystem services

goods taken from natural resources or services/functions that ecosystems carry out

have measurable economic/financial value

provisioning

goods taken directly from ecosystems/made from natural resources

food, water, medicine, fuel

regulating

ecosystems regulating climate/air quality

flood control, carbon storage, water purification

supporting

nature supporting processes we do ourselves

photosynthesis, habitat creation, nutrient cycling

cultural

money generated through recreation/scientific knowledge

tourism, aesthetic enjoyment, education

island biogeography

the study of ecological relationships and community structures on islands

larger islands

can support more total species

more niches, food, and other resources

positive correlation between island sizes and species richness

islands closer to the mainland

easier migration for species from outside islands

optimal range

a set of conditions in which organisms grow, survive, and reproduce

zone of physiological stress

range where organisms survive, but experience stress

zone of intolerance

range where an organism will die

natural disturbance

a natural event that disrupts the structure and function of an ecosystem

periodic

regular frequency

episodic

occasional and irregular

random

irregular and unpredictable

pace of evolution

more rapid environmental changes →decreased adaptability

increased genetic diversity → better adaptability

longer lifespans → slower rate of evolution

ecological succession

a series of predictable stages of growth

primary succession

starting with bare rock or another area without soil

secondary succession

starts from already established soil

disturbance eliminates plant life

pioneer species

the first species to appear when the ground is just bare rock or soil

R selected species

many small offspring with shorter lifespans

K selected species

fewer offspring with longer lifespans and slow maturation