unit 2 notes apes ecosystem services and ecological roles

Ecosystem Services

Things ecosystems provide that directly benefit humans, helping with survival, well-being, or economic gain (e.g., clean water, timber, crops).

Ecological Services

Processes that ecosystems perform for themselves (nature helping nature) that humans also benefit from, such as pollination and nutrient cycling.

Environmental Indicators

Metrics that describe the current state of an environmental system and act as early warnings of ecosystem damage (e.g., atmospheric CO2 concentration).

Biodiversity

The variety of life across all levels of ecological organization, encompassing genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity.

Genetic Diversity

The measure of genetic variation among individuals in a population, which helps populations respond and adapt to environmental changes.

Species Diversity

The number of different species in a given ecosystem, which increases productivity, resilience, and recovery from disturbances.

Speciation

The evolutionary process where one group of living things splits into two and changes significantly over time to form a new species.

Ecosystem Diversity

The variety of habitats and abiotic conditions in an area, creating the necessary conditions for a wide range of ecological niches.

Ecosystem Stability

The ability of an ecosystem to maintain its structure and function over long periods despite disturbances.

Resistance vs. Resilience

Resistance is an ecosystem keeping its structure during environmental changes; resilience is the ability to eventually regain normal structure and function after a disturbance.

Disturbance

Anything that upsets the natural balance of an ecosystem, which can be natural (tornado, flood) or anthropogenic (pollution).

Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis

The concept that some ecosystems rely on a moderate level of disturbance (such as forest fires) to maintain high biodiversity and ecological health.

Provisioning Services

Goods and natural resources that humans can harvest or sell for money, such as lumber, food crops, medicinal plants, and furs.

Regulating Services

Natural processes that regulate environmental conditions like climate, air quality, and water quality (e.g., carbon removal by ecosystems).

Cultural Services

Non-material benefits from nature that provide mental and emotional well-being, aesthetic satisfaction, and intellectual gain.

Supporting Services

Fundamental natural processes that make the other three ecosystem services possible, such as nutrient cycling and soil formation.

Human Disruption of Ecosystem Services

Human activities (like clearing land for cities) that remove carbon-storing trees, disrupt ecosystem functions, and lead to consequences like climate change and crop failure.

Niche

The distinct role and position that each species has in an ecosystem, shaped by competition and evolution.

Generalists vs. Specialists

Generalists are species that occupy a broad niche, while specialists occupy a very narrow, specific niche.

Native Species

Species that naturally live and thrive in a particular ecological community.

Non-native Species

Species that are introduced into a community either intentionally or accidentally by human activity.

Indicator Species

A species that acts as an early warning sign of ecosystem damage or environmental stress.

Keystone Species

A species that has a disproportionately large and critical effect on its community relative to its abundance.

Foundation Species

A species that creates or enhances habitats by physically altering the environment.

Umbrella Species

A species prioritized for conservation because protecting its habitat inherently protects many other species in the same ecosystem.

Flagship Species

A charismatic species used as a symbol to attract public attention, awareness, and support for conservation efforts.