Environmental Science Midterm Study Guide

Biodiversity

Measure of the variety of life on our planet

Genetic Biodiversity

The variety of genes within a species population

Species Biodiversity

The variety of different species within a given area or ecosystem

Ecosystem Biodiversity

The variety of different ecosystems or habits in a measured area or on a global scale

Keystone Species

Organism with a large impact on its ecosystem proportional to population size that is crucial to maintaining ecosystem stability

Endemic Species

Species that are specific to a single geographical region

Natural Selection

Individuals with traits better suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing those advantages traits on to the next generation

Microevolution

Change in gene frequency within a population from one generation to the next

Adaptability

Ability to adjust or evolve in response to environmental change

Speciation

When populations become so adapted to an ecological niche that the develop specialized or distinctive traits that eventually differentiate it entirely from its biological cousins

Ecosystem Resilience

Ability to absorb stressors and respond to changes in a way that maintains key processes, components, and biodiversity

In no less than 3 sentences briefly explain the value of biodiversity. Give specific examples.

• Ecosystem stability

• Balance food chains

• More efficient nutrient cycle

• recreational purposes

• spiritual/religions value

• ecosystem services (medicine)

Give an example of a keystone species. Describe how its keystone.

Jaguar; balances food chains

Give an example of an endemic species. Describe how it is endemic.

Glow worms - dismals ⬅ only @

Giant pandas - china ⬅ these places

Give an example and short explanation of natural selection.

Best genes survive… long neck giraffes

Give an example and short explanation of speciation.

Speciation is when one species divides into two

Ex: Birds relocated to different climate, slowly adapt to have completely different characteristics

What are current biodiversity statistics for the biosphere?

• 8.7 different species

• 1.2 considered “risk of extinction”

List four different types of extinction with a description

• Globally extinct : Gone

• Extinct in wild : only in captivity

• Local : used to be there

• Functional : no impact on ecosystem

What are the five primary drivers of biodiversity loss?

• Pollution

• Habitat loss

• Climate change

• Invasive species

• Over exploitation

What 6 elements are essential for living organisms?

Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Sulfer

Which element cycle includes lightning fixation and nitrogen-fixing bacteria to make ingestible by living organisms?

Nitrogen Cycle

Which element cycle includes extracting and burning fossil fuels for energy?

Carbon Cycle

Which element cycle is slower on account of this element being stored with other minerals in rocks before being released from erosion?

Phosphorus Cycle

Identify all parts of a food chain in an ecosystem.

1. producer

2. primary consumer

3. secondary consumer

4. tertiary consumer

5. apex consumer

6. decomposer

Explain the difference between consumer, producer, and decomposers

consumer - ingests their energy

producer - synthesize energy

decomposer - break down decaying organisms for energy

Explain the difference between herbivore, carnivore, and omnivore

herbivore - feed on producers

carnivore - feed on consumers

omnivore - feed on both consumers and producers

How much percentage is lost across each trophic level in an ecosystem?

90% (that’s on Jah)

Regarding ecosystems explain the difference between ecosystem, species, population, and community.

• ecosystems - all living and non-living factors in an area that interact

• Species - organisms that can reproduce w/one another

• Population - total # of organisms of a species in an organism

• Community - all the different populations in an ecosystem