Biology 1 Lecture Thanksgiving - Biodiversity Part 2

The sum of biological and chemical processes that are characteristic of a given ecosystem

Define ecosystem function

Primary production, nitrogen cycling, decomposition, carbon cycling

What does ecosystem function take into account? (4)

The organisms in a system interacting with their abiotic environment

Ecosystem function is a product of __________________

Resource use efficiency, facilitation, sampling effects

Why does greater species richness result in greater NPP? (3)

Certain species assist the growth of other species in mutualism relationships

What does it mean that facilitation can make greater species richness result in greater NPP?

If some species are extremely productive, NPP depends on their presence in a study plot. High diversity means higher chance of getting an extremely productive species

What does it mean that sampling effects can make greater species richness result in greater NPP?

Keystone, impact on the distribution and abundance

Diverse communities are more likely to have _______________ which have a greater impact on the __________ and _________ of the surrounding species than its relative abundance and biomass would suggest

Food, fuel, fiber and materials, medicines, genetic resources

List 5 provisioning services (material or energy output from ecosystem) that provide raw materials

Aesthetics, recreation, education, spiritual value, mental and physical health

List 5 cultural services that enrich quality of life (one of the indirect benefits constituted in ecosystem services)

Primary productivity, nutrient cycling, pollination, pest control. Enable all other ecosystem services

List 4 supporting services and describe what they do

Species whose numbers decreased so drastically that it is almost certain to go extinct without efforts

Define endangered species

Habitat loss, pollution, overfishing

What are 3 human impacts that caused the sixth mass extinction?

People's major impact on the world right now

Why do scientists call the current geological period "the anthropocene?"

The natural rate of extinction, besides major extinction events

What is background extinction rate?

Habitat destruction and degradation, overexploitation, invasive species, pollution

List major threats to biodiversity (4)

Cloud formation and rain is reduced, soil is eroded, forest becomes more like savannah

What happens when forests are cut?

Industrial pollutants causing acid rain and greenhouse gases, drugs in urine, nutrient runoff eutrophication, landfills

Give 4 examples of pollution

Inhibits ability of marine animals to make calcium carbonate skeletons, losing protection

What is the impact of ocean acidification?