ESS unit 3 - Test

Habitat diversity

The range of different habitats in an ecosystem

Biodiversity

The total diversity of living systems in levels

Species diversity

The variety of species per unit area

Genetic diversity

The diversity within one species or within an area

Diversity types

Genetic, habitat & species

Species richness

The number of species in an area

Species evenness

The relative abundance of each species

Simpsons diversity index

Measures species diversity by comparing ecosystems

Natural selection

The process where organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and reproduce more

Adaptation

Organisms adjusting to new environments

Evolution

A process that changes genetic material of a population

Habitat Loss

Occurs when natural habitats are converted for human uses eg; urban areas

Habitat Fragmentation

When parts of a habitat are destroyed

Invasive Species

A non-native species causing harm

Pollution

The preservation of substance that is harmful for enviroments

Climate Change

long-term shift in temp & climate patterns

Overexploitation

The action of making excessive use of a resource

Conservation

The prevention of wasteful use of a resource

IN-SITU conservation

The conservation of organisms or ecosystems in their natural surroundings

EX-Situ conservation

The conservation of components of biological diversity outside their natural habitats (Zoo)

Wildlife Corridors

A conservation strategy to preserve endangered species

Succesion

The process of ecological development over time

High richness + High Evenness

= more stable ecosystem

Mutation

Random changes in DNA

Direct Threats to Biodiversity

Overharvesting, Overfishing (Newfoundland fishery), and illegal hunting

Indirect Threats to Biodiversity

Climate change, pollution

Biosphere Reserve (UNECSO)

Well balanced interactions between humans and nature eg; tours

Rewilding

Focuses on restoring natural prcesess in ecosysetms by reintroducing key species and minimizing human influence

Plate Tectonics

A scientific theory explaining how major landforms are created

Mass Extinction

A raipd loss of biodiversity - 75% of species vanishing in a short timespan

Factors making species vunerable

Low birth rate (Rhino), Specialist (Panda eating bamboo)

IGO

Inter-govermental organization

NGO

Non-governmental organization

ICUN Red List

Measures species extinction risk

ICUN Red list extinction criteria

Extinct, Critically endangered, Vulnerable, Least Concern

Human Impact on Biodiversity

Habitat Loss, Invasive species, pollution, overharvesting

Protected Area Diversity

Creating reserves mimicking natural landscapes for habitat and species protection

Four Rs

Representation, Resilience, Redundance, Reality

Species - based conservation

Protection strategies to prevent extinction such as anti-poaching and captive breeding

Habitat - based conservation

Protecting & restoring ecosystems to ensure species survival. EG; Wildlife corridors & Restoring wetlands

Flagship species

A well-known animal chosen to represent and attract public support (Panda)

Keystone species

an organism that has a disproportionately large impact on its ecosystem (Beavers)

Umbrella species

Conservation strategy where protecting a single species with large habitat needs (Tigers)

Back from the brink species

A species that recovered from near extinction (Bald Eagle)

Extinct specie Example

The dodo bird went extinct due to a combination of human-introduced invasive species preying on its eggs and chicks, habitat destruction

Conservation status

Indicates a species' risk of extinction, assessed by factors like population size, trends, and threats

predation

The

tradgedy of the comons

regeneration

Values of biodiversity

Apex predator

core zone

trophic cascade

Strengths of zoos

weaknesess of zoos