Biodiversity and Ecological Niches

Species diversity, genetic diversity, and habitat diversity

A species found only in a specific area.

False

<p>Isolation prevents gene flow between populations, allowing unique adaptations to evolve in isolated populations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Areas with high species richness, high endemism, and significant threats from human activities.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Higher species diversity provides redundancy, meaning there are multiple species that can fulfill similar roles in the ecosystem, making it less vulnerable to the loss of individual species.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A population bottleneck is a drastic reduction in population size, which can lead to a loss of genetic diversity, even if the population recovers, as the remaining individuals may not have the full range of genetic variation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>An ecological niche is the role a species plays in an ecosystem and the environmental conditions it needs to survive. For example, different aquatic birds living off of different aquatic ecosystems may have different niches based on the depths they feed in, the types of food they eat, and other factors.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Specialist species are highly adapted to a narrow range of environmental conditions and food sources, while generalist species can thrive in a wider range of conditions and consume a variety of food sources.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A stable environment allows specialist species to evolve, leading to greater diversity as species exploit different niches and resources.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Distance from mainland</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Islands farther from the mainland tend to have lower species richness because it is less convenient for species to migrate there.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Islands farther from the mainland are more isolated, allowing for longer periods of evolution in isolation, leading to the development of unique and endemic species.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Genetic drift is the random change in allele frequencies within a population. It can lead to a decrease in genetic diversity, especially in smaller populations, as some alleles may be lost by chance.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Ecological succession is the gradual change in the species composition and structure of an ecosystem over time.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Primary succession begins with bare rock, while secondary succession begins with soil already present.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Pioneer species are the first organisms to colonize a barren environment. They are typically hardy and tolerant to harsh conditions, able to survive in bright sunlight and limited resources, grow quickly, and have a short lifespan.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Secondary succession starts with existing soil and progresses from small plants, such as grasses, to larger plants and trees, eventually leading to a mature forest ecosystem with a diversity of species.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Old field succession is a common form of secondary succession in the Eastern US where abandoned farmland gradually transitions back to a forest ecosystem. This was driven by factors such as more efficient modern farming practices, reduced demand for draught animals, and changes in agricultural commodity markets.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>They form a mutualistic relationship between algae and fungus.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Beech trees are shade-tolerant and require well-developed soil with high moisture content and organic matter, which are characteristics of mature forest ecosystems.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>r-selected species produce many offspring with little parental care, while K-selected species produce few offspring with significant parental investment.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Biotic potential is the maximum rate of reproduction a species can achieve under ideal conditions. r-selected species have higher biotic potential than K-selected species.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Annual plants can stabilize the soil, reduce erosion, and add organic matter to the soil, creating conditions suitable for other species to become established.</p> Signup and view all the answers