APES - Unit 2 Biodiversity

Species

A group of similar organisms that can breed and produce fertile offspring.

Origins of life

molecule reproduced itself, by chance, in the ocean where all conditions were available for life

Microevolution

evolutionary change within a species or small group of organisms, especially over a short period.

Macroevolution

large-scale evolutionary changes that take place over long periods of time

Gene pool

Combined genetic information of all the members of a particular population

Mutation

A change in a gene or chromosome.

Natural selection

A process in which individuals that have certain inherited traits tend to survive and reproduce at higher rates than other individuals because of those traits.

Adaptation

A trait that helps an organism survive and reproduce

Provisioning service

benefits of an ecosystem such as food, water, or fuel

Regulating service

benefits of an ecosystem such as climate regulation or disease control

Cultural services

ecosystems provide cultural or aesthetic benefits to many people

Supporting services

basic ecosystem processes (nutrient cycles, soil formation, pollination)

Island Biogeography

Further = less species, Smaller = less species diversity

Ecological tolerance

the range of conditions in which a species can survive

Ecological niche

A specific role of a species within an ecosystem

Broad niche

the roles and activities filled by a generalist organism

Narrow niche

When an organism is very specialized to fill a very specific role within an ecosystem

Specialist species

species with a narrow ecological niche

Generalist species

species with a broad ecological niche

Bottleneck

process in which a large population declines in number, then rebounds

Flounder effect

genetic drift that occurs after a small number of individuals colonize a new area

extinction

A term that typically describes a species that no longer has any known living individuals.

Background extinction

gradual process of a species becoming extinct

Mass extinction

A large extinction of species in a relatively short period of time

HIPPCO

Acronym used by conservation biologists for the six most important secondary causes of premature extinction: Habitat destruction, degradation, and fragmentation; Invasive (nonnative) species; Population growth (too many people consuming too many resources); Pollution; Climate change; and Overexploitation.

Species diversity

Number of different species in the biosphere

Species richness

the number of species in a given area

Species evenness

relative abundance of each species

Native species

species that have naturally evolved in an area

Endemic species

species that are native to and found only within a limited area

Invasive species

plants and animals that have migrated to places where they are not native

Indicator species

species that serve as early warnings that an ecosystem is being damaged

Keystone species

a species that has an unusually large effect on its ecosystem

Primary succession

succession that occurs on surfaces where no soil exists

Secondary succession

type of succession that occurs in an area that was only partially destroyed by disturbances