APES Unit 2 Flashcards

What is Biodiversity? (2.1)

The variety of ecosystems.

What are the three different levels biodiversity is measured on? (2.1)

• Ecosystem diversity - different habitats available in a given area.

• Species diversity - different species in an ecosystem and the balance of population size of species.

• Genetic diversity - different genes of individuals in a population

Higher biodiversity = higher ecosystem/population health

What is Richness? (2.1)

The total number of different species found in an ecosystem.
- The higher there are, the healthier the ecosystem is (the more species = more good resources like H2O and soil)

What is Evenness? (2.1)

A measure of how all of the individual organisms in an ecosystem are balanced between different species. 

The more genetic diversity can be what (2.1)

The more genetic diversity there is, the more a population can recover from natural disruptions such as wildfires, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions plus adaptation climate change or new diseases.

What is Bottleneck Even? (2.1)

An environmental disturbance that reduces the population size and kills organisms regardless of their genome. 

• The surviving population is smaller, and individuals die randomly.

• Reduces genetic diversity, leading to future environmental disturbances. 

Inbreeding Depression (2.1)

When organisms mate with closely related “family” members.

• leading to a high chance of offspring.

• There are harmful genetic mutations because of similar genotypes from both parents.

Ecosystem Resilience (2.1)

The ability of an ecosystem to return to its original conditions after a major disturbance (wind storm, fire, or flood)

• Higher species diversity = higher ecosystem resilience

What are Ecosystem Services? (2.2)

the essential benefits humans gain from natural ecosystems

What are the types of ecosystem services, and what does each one mean? (2.2)

Provisional - goods taken directly from ecosystems or made from natural resources (wood, paper, food). 

Regulating - help manage and stabilize natural conditions (pollution, climate regulation, air quality regulation). 

Supporting - behind-the-scenes services that make anything possible (Nutrient cycling, Photosynthesis, Primary Productivity). 

Cultural - emotional, spiritual, and recreational activities that benefit us (Education, Recreation, and Aesthetics (nature)).

What happens when human activities disrupt the ability of the ecosystem to function? (2.2)

It decreases the value of the ecosystem services they provide.

Ex. Overfishing, Deforestation, Climate Change, and Pollution.

What is Island Biogeography? (2.2)

study of ecological relationships and community structures on islands.

What are two basic “rules” or observations of Island Biogeography? (2.2)

• Large islands support more total species. 

  - The larger the island, the greater the ecosystem diversity. 

  - High ecosystem diversity = more food + habitat resources 

• Islands closer to the mainland support more species. 
  - easier for species to migrate from one island
  - the future, the farther away from each other, the more species are gone.