APES_Biodiversity

Biodiversity

The variety of life in the world, or in a particular habitat or ecosystem.

Genetic Diversity

The variety of genes within a species.

Ecological Diversity

Variety of ecosystems in a given place.

Functional Diversity

The variety of biological and chemical processes needed for survival.

Natural Capital

Natural resources and services that support life and economies.

Provisioning Services

Tangible products obtained from ecosystems, such as food and water.

Regulating Services

Ecosystem processes that regulate environmental conditions.

Cultural Services

Non-material benefits obtained from ecosystems, such as spiritual enrichment.

Supporting Services

Services necessary for the production and maintenance of other ecosystem services.

Adaptive Radiation

Numerous new species evolve to fill new or vacated niches.

Speciation

The formation of two species from one species due to divergent natural selection.

Geographic Isolation

Physical separation of populations leading to speciation.

Reproductive Isolation

Isolation that occurs when populations become genetically distinct.

Background Extinction

Normal, continuous extinction rate due to environmental changes.

Mass Extinction

Catastrophic event that wipes out large groups of species in a short time.

Species Richness

The number of different species present in an ecosystem.

Species Evenness

The relative abundance of different species in an ecosystem.

Tropical Rainforests

Most species-rich environments on Earth.

Continental Drift

Movement of the Earth’s continents that affects biodiversity.

Endemic Species

Species that are native to and found only in one area.

Extinction Crisis

Current rapid loss of species caused by human activities.

Ecosystem Services

The benefits provided by ecosystems to humans.

Ecological Extinction

Too few individuals remain to play their ecological roles.

Biological Extinction

Complete loss of a species.