APES Unit 2: The Living World: Biodiversity

Ecosystem Diversity

number of habitats in an area

Species Diversity

number of different species in an ecosystem and balance of pop. sizes

Genetic Diversity

different genes within a population

Higher biodiversity (correlates with)

increased resilience to disturbance (correlates with)

Richness

total number of different species in an ecosystem

Evenness

how balanced are the sizes of the poulations

Bottleneck Event

an environmental disturbance that drastically reduces population sizes and kills organisms in a RANDOM way

Inbreeding

organism mates with closely related “family members”

offspring more likely to have harmful genetic mutations

Resilience

an ecosystem’s ability to return to its original conditions after a major disturbance

Ecosystem services

goods and services provided by natural ecosystems that are beneficial to humans ($$$)

Provisioning Services

goods and products taken directly from ecosystems or made from natural resources

Provisioning Services Examples

fish, berries, paper, water, wood

Regulating Services

moderating natural conditions like climate, air quality, biodiversity and maintaining these conditions

Regulating Services Examples

trees filtering air, pollination, trees sequester CO2

Supporting Services

natural processes that sustain ecosystems to maintain life and supports processes we do ourselves

Supporting Services Examples

photosynthesis, nutrient cycling, habitat for species, biogeochemical cycles

Cultural Services

money generated by recreation or scientific discoveries

Cultural Services Examples

hunting, fishing, parks, tourism

Provisioning Services Disrupted by

over harvesting, water pollution, clearing land

Regulating Services Disrupted by

deforestation, pollinator habitat loss, filling in wetlands

Supporting Services Disrupted by

agriculture, urbanization, deforestation

Cultural Services Disrupted by

deforestation, pollination, urbanization

Island Biogeography

study of ecological relationships and community structure on islands

Adaptive Radiation

single species rapidly evolve into several new species to use different resources and reduce competition

Ecological Range of Tolerance (Fundamental Niche)

range of conditions that an organism can endure before injury or death

Optimal Range

where organisms survive, grow, and reproduce

Zone of Physiological Stress

organisms can survive but they are put under stress (infertility, lack of growth, decreased activity)

Zone of Intolerance

range that organisms die in

Abiotic Factors

salinity, temperature, pH, sunlight

Natural Disturbance

a natural event disrupts the structure/function of an ecosystem

Periodic Disturbances

regular frequency

ex. (dry/wet season)

Episodic Disturbances

occasional with irregular frequency

ex. fire, hurricane, drought

Random Disturbances

random, no regular frequency

ex. volcano eruption, earthquake

Natural Climate Change

Slight changes in Earth’s orbit and tilt cause mini ice ages and warm periods

Sea level has varied as glacial ice on Earth melts and forms

Wildlife migrate

as a result of natural disruptions

Adaptation

a new trait that increases an organism’s fitness

NOT acquired throughout lifetime

Natural Selection

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

Selective Pressure/Force

environmental condition that kills individuals without adaptation

The more rapidly the environment changes

the less likely the species will be to adapt to those changes

The longer the lifespan of the organism

the slower the rate of evolution

Ecological Succession

a series of predictable stages of growth that a forest goes through

Primary Succession

occurs when NOTHING but bare rocks are left, not even soil

moss and lichen on rocks and spores dispersed by wind

Secondary Succession

occurs when established soil remains, but a majority of living things have been cleared out

Pioneer/Early Succession Species

seeds spread by wind and animals, shallow soil and full sun, fast growing

PS: moss, lichen

SS: grass, berries

Mid-successional Species

deeper soil, somewhat fast growing, sun tolerant

shrubs, bushes, aspen/pines

Late Succession/Climax Community Species

need lots of soil and nutrients, slow growing, shade tolerant

maples, oaks, large trees