Biodiversity - AP Biology
- What is the role of keystone species in an ecosystem?
- They have a disproportionately large effect on their environment. Their removal causes cascading effects throughout the ecosystem.
- Identify a major threat to biodiversity.
- Habitat destruction. Primary driver of species loss and ecosystem degradation.
- What is 'biogeography'?
- The study of the distribution of species and ecosystems in geographic space. Explains patterns of species distribution across Earth.
- What is the significance of the IUCN Red List?
- It assesses the conservation status of species. Categorizes species from least concern to critically endangered.
- Define endemism.
- Species being unique to a defined geographic location. Results from geographic isolation and specialized evolution.
- Define abiotic factor.
- A non-living chemical or physical component of an ecosystem. Includes temperature, water, soil, and atmospheric conditions.
- What is an invasive species?
- A non-native species that adversely affects its new environment. Can outcompete natives and disrupt ecological balance.
- Define genetic diversity.
- The variety of genes within a species. Essential for adaptation and evolutionary potential.
- Identify a conservation strategy for biodiversity.
- Establishing protected areas. Preserves critical habitats and reduces human interference.
- What is a biodiversity hotspot?
- A region with significant levels of biodiversity that is under threat. These areas are conservation priorities due to high endemism.
- What is species diversity?
- The variety and abundance of species in a given area. Includes both the number of species and their relative abundance.
- Explain ecosystem diversity.
- The variety of ecosystems in a given area. Includes different habitat types and their spatial arrangements.
- Define 'niche partitioning'.
- The process by which competing species use the environment differently. Reduces competition by utilizing different resources or spaces.
- Define 'biomass'.
- The total mass of organisms in a given area or volume. Indicates ecosystem productivity and energy storage.
- Explain the term 'ecological niche'.
- The role and position a species has in its environment. Defines how species utilize resources and interact with environment.
- Name a human activity that contributes to habitat loss.
- Deforestation. Removes habitat and fragments remaining natural areas.
- What is the '10% rule' in ecology?
- Only about 10% of energy is transferred between trophic levels. Most energy is lost as heat during metabolic processes.
- What is the significance of genetic variation?
- It enhances a population's ability to adapt to changes. Provides raw material for natural selection and evolution.
- Name the three levels of biodiversity.
- Genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity. These represent the hierarchical organization of life's variety.
- What is a primary consumer?
- An organism that feeds on primary producers. Herbivores that form the second trophic level.
- What is a 'biotic index'?
- A scale for showing the quality of an environment by indicating the types of organisms present. Uses indicator species to assess environmental health.
- What is 'species richness'?
- The number of different species represented in an ecological community. Simple count of species without considering abundance.
- What causes seasonal variation in biodiversity?
- Changes in climate and resource availability. Migration patterns and breeding cycles follow seasonal cues.
- What is the primary cause of current biodiversity loss?
- Human activities. Anthropogenic impacts exceed natural extinction rates.
- Define 'trophic cascade'.
- A series of changes in population sizes at different trophic levels. Top predators control lower trophic levels indirectly.
- Identify a consequence of low genetic diversity.
- Increased vulnerability to diseases. Reduces population resilience and adaptive potential.
- What is the role of decomposers in an ecosystem?
- They break down dead material, recycling nutrients. Essential for nutrient cycling and energy flow.
- What is biodiversity?
- The variety of life in the world or a particular habitat or ecosystem. Encompasses all living organisms and their interactions.
- What is the 'species-area relationship'?
- A principle stating that larger areas have more species. Larger habitats support more species due to resource availability.
- What is a biotic factor?
- A living component that affects an ecosystem. Includes all organisms and their biological processes.
- What is the 'edge effect'?
- Changes in population or community structures at habitat boundaries. Results from different environmental conditions at habitat borders.
- What is a biodiversity index?
- A measure of diversity in an ecological community. Quantifies species richness and evenness mathematically.
- What is ecological succession?
- The process of change in the species structure of an ecosystem over time. Can be primary or secondary succession depending on disturbance.
- What is 'ecological footprint'?
- A measure of human demand on Earth's ecosystems. Compares human resource use to Earth's regenerative capacity.
- Name one effect of climate change on biodiversity.
- Altered species distribution. Temperature changes force species migration or adaptation.
- What is habitat fragmentation?
- The division of large habitats into smaller, isolated sections. Reduces population size and increases edge effects.
- What is the significance of a 'keystone species'?
- Their presence or absence has a large impact on ecosystem structure. Their loss causes disproportionate ecosystem changes.
- What is a secondary consumer?
- An organism that eats primary consumers. Carnivores at the third trophic level.