APES Unit 2

Ecosystem biodiversity

Ecosystem biodiversity

 the number of diff. habitats available in a given area 

Species Diversity

the number of diff. species in an ecosystem and the balance or evenness of the pop. sizes of all species in the ecosystem

Genetic diversity

how different the genes are of individuals within a population (group of the same species)

Species Richness

 the total number of different species found in an ecosystem

Evenness

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

Provisioning Ecosystem services

Goods taken directly from ecosystems or made from nat. resources (wood, paper, food)

Regulating Ecosystem Services

Nat. ecosystems regulate climate/air quality, reducing storm damage & healthcare costs

Supporting Ecosystem Services

Nat. ecosystems support processes we do ourselves, making them cheaper & easier(bees pollinate crops)

Cultural Ecosystem services

Money generate by recreation (parks, camping, tours) or scientific knowledge

distance from mainland

The closer an island is to the mainland support more species it is easier for colonizing organisms to get to the island from the mainland.

island size

Larger islands support more species and the more diversity there is.

adaptive radiation

a rapid increase in the number of species with a common ancestor, characterized by great ecological and morphological diversity.

immigration

movement of individuals into a population.

range of tolerance

the limits to the abiotic conditions that a species can tolerate.

Physiological stress

any external or internal condition that challenges the homeostasis of a cell or an organism. It can be divided into three different aspects: environmental stress, intrinsic developmental stress, and aging.

random

no regular frequency (volcanoes, earthquakes, and asteroids)

periodic

occurs with regular frequency (ex: dry-wet seasons)

episodic

occasional events with irregular frequency (ex: hurricanes, droughts, fires)

geologic time

the extensive interval of time occupied by the geologic history of Earth.

wildlife migration

Wildlife may migrate to a new habitat as the result of natural disruptions

evolution

a process of gradual change that takes place over many generations, during which species of animals, plants, or insects slowly change some of their physical characteristics.

fitness

the ability to survive to reproductive age, find a mate, and produce offspring.

adaptation

a new trait that increases an organism’s fitness (ability to survive and reproduce)

natural selection

 organisms that are better adapted to their env. survive and reproduce more offspring

genetic diversity

the range of different inherited traits within a species

primary succession

starts from bare rock in an area with no previous soil formation

Moss & lichen spores carried by the wind grow directly onpione

Secondary Succession

starts from already established soil, in an area where a disturbance (fire/tornado/human land clearing) cleared out the majority of plant life

Grasses, sedges, wildflowers, and berry bushes have seeds dispersed by wind or animal droppings 

pioneer species

species that are the first to colonize newly created environments or recently disturbed environments during the processes of primary succession and secondary succession, respectively

mid-successional species

found in partially open areas. Openings in the forest canopy promote the growth of plants that are favored as food by many mammals and birds.

climax community

the last stage in succession, a stage where an ecosystem reaches a stable state. It is a mature ecosystem.

keystone species

an organism that helps hold the system together.