Exam 3 Review: Species Richness and Ecosystem Ecology

Species Richness

Diversity of species in a specific area.

Island Biogeography

Study of species distribution on islands.

MacArthur & Wilson

Developed the theory of island biogeography.

Island Size

Influences extinction rates; smaller islands have more.

Distance from Mainland

Affects colonization; distant islands have fewer species.

Equator Proximity

Closer to equator leads to higher species richness.

Abiotic Factors

Non-living environmental influences on species diversity.

Biotic Factors

Living interactions affecting species richness.

Energy Flow

Movement of energy through ecosystems from sun.

Primary Productivity

Rate of energy conversion by photosynthesis.

Gross Primary Productivity (GPP)

Total energy captured by photosynthesis.

Net Primary Productivity (NPP)

Energy available for plant growth after respiration.

Trophic Levels

Feeding positions in a food chain.

Biomass Loss

Only ~10% energy transferred between trophic levels.

Watershed

Land area draining into a single stream.

Hubbard Brook Study

Measured water and nutrient outputs in ecosystems.

Nutrient Cycling

Movement of nutrients through ecosystems.

Global Carbon Cycle

Carbon movement; impacts climate change.

Nitrogen Cycle

Process of nitrogen transformation in ecosystems.

Water Cycle

Continuous movement of water within the environment.

Ecological Interactions

Relationships between species affecting diversity.

Evolutionary History

Past events influencing current species diversity.

Species Saturation

Point where species richness stabilizes on islands.

Food Chains

Linear pathways of energy transfer in ecosystems.