bsc- diversity of life

Phylogeny

The evolutionary history and the relationships among a species or group of species

Morphology

study of life by focusing on physical traits (like size, shape, and structure)

Molecular

study of life by focusing on the genetic and biochemical level

Systematics

The study of organisms with the purpose of deriving their relationships

3 domains of life (Archaea, Eukarya, Bacteria)

The starting point of a phylogenetic tree is the _____ and these branch from a singular point.

The single point at the base of the tree that represents the most recent common ancestor of all the taxa included

What does it mean that the phylogenetic tree is rooted?

Shows how different organisms evolved from a common ancestor by flow of direction

What does the root of the phylogenetic tree show?

characteristics, groups

At each branch point, organisms with different _____ are placed in different ______.

Clade

a group of organisms believed to have evolved from a common ancestor

Homologous Structures (Homology)

Anatomical features in different species that share a common ancestry but may have different functions

Analogous Structures (Analogy)

Anatomical features in different species that have a similar function but evolved independently, not from a common ancestor

similar

At each sublevel of taxonomy, organisms become more ____

biodiversity hotspots

FL is one of the world’s top ___ ____ of conservation concern

Longleaf Pine ecosystems

What type of ecosystem does FL contain?

Longleaf Pine ecosystems

A highly diverse, fire-adapted forest found in the southeastern U.S. dominated by longleaf pine trees, which create an open canopy that allows a rich "grass-from-the-knees-down" ground layer of grasses and herbs to flourish

Biodiversity

The total variety of life in a particular ecosystem

Diversity Hotspot

A region with high diversity and many endemic species (found in only one single ecosystem or region) in threat of extinction

North American Coastal Plan (NACP)

FL is part of the

 North American Coastal Plan (NACP)

Scientists identify over 1,500 plant species in the NACP; over 250 are only in FL

Prescribed Burning

Controlled, planned burns to reduce wildfire risk by clearing out fuel

Fire Suppression

Focuses on actively putting out wildfires as they occur

Prescribed burn restores ecosystems and protect communities of wildlife, while fire suppression led to the buildup of hazardous fuels over time, making future wildfires more intense and biodiversity dwindle

Prescribed Burning vs Fire Suppression