Biodiversity Notes

Flashcards covering vocabulary and key concepts from biodiversity lecture notes.

Extinction

Occurs when the last member of the species dies.

Ecosystem diversity

Refers to the variety of ecosystems that are present in the biosphere.

Species diversity

The number of different species and the relative abundance of each species in a biological community.

Genetic diversity

What the rabbits in the photo demonstrate; variety of genes or inheritable characteristics that are present in a population.

Flood protection

An economic value of biodiversity; provides natural regulation of events.

Ecosystem diversity

A collection of locations: a forest, a freshwater lake, an estuary, and a prairie.

Maintain biodiversity of the area

The primary goal of protecting forest sections.

Sustainable usage

Can help conserve an area’s biodiversity.

Pyramid of biological magnification

Illustrates that toxic substances increase as trophic levels increase in a food chain.

Aesthetic value

Quality of biodiversity; a beautiful waterfall.

Background extinction

A slow process that does not affect many species at the same time (elimination of a species).

Mass extinction

A relatively fast process that results in the elimination of a large number of species.

Habitat fragmentation

The actual process where an ecosystem is separated into smaller pieces.

Edge effect

Is the consequence whereby different environmental conditions are established along the edges of the fragmented habitats.

Overexploitation

The excessive use of a species for its economic value.

Introduced species

A non native species that is either intentionally or unintentionally transported to a new habitat.

Edge effect

Areas A & B result in the impact of?

Habitat fragmentation

Term to describe the threat from human activities when wooded area is divided by housing development.

Improved soil fertility

A direct benefit of biodiversity.

Sustainable usage

A practice that can help conserve an area’s biodiversity.

Wood

Resources that can be considered renewable.

Island ecosystems

Ecosystems would be most vulnerable to extinctions if a disturbance were to occur.

Renewable resources

Resources that are replaced by natural processes faster than they are consumed.

Endemic

Species that are found in only one geographic location.

Bioremediation

The process of using living organisms to detoxify a location.

Nonrenewable resources

Resources that are found in limited amounts or are replaced by natural processes over extremely long periods of time.

Biological augmentation

A method that is used to restore biodiversity to a polluted or damaged area.

Habitat corridor

Members of species can move safely from one area to another.

Background extinction

The natural extinction rate.

Extinction

A species disappears.

Corridor

Allows animals in one area to move safely to the other area.