Biodiversity and Ecosystem Stability

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What happens if one species fails in an ecosystem?

The ecosystem will become more diverse

The ecosystem will completely collapse

Other species of similar roles will step in and prevent the ecosystem from collapsing (correct)

The population size of the failed species will remain constant

What is a characteristic of a stable ecosystem?

Species evenness, density, and population size remain relatively constant (correct)

Species populations are constantly changing

The ecosystem is completely diverse

Only one species can fill an ecological role

Why do populations cycle through periods of high and low numbers?

Because of the lack of genetic diversity

Because of habitat destruction

Because of the natural fluctuations in population dynamics (correct)

Because of overharvesting

What is an example of a stable ecosystem?

A rainforest ecosystem Signup and view all the answers

What happens when one species goes extinct in a rainforest?

There is a high diversity of similar species to fill its ecological role Signup and view all the answers

Why do rainforests have high levels of genetic diversity?

Because of the high numbers of individuals within populations Signup and view all the answers

What is a threat to the stability of rainforests?

Habitat destruction and overuse of resources Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of the global decline of rainforests?

The ecosystems will face extinction Signup and view all the answers

Why are rainforests experiencing a global decline?

Because of habitat destruction and overuse of resources Signup and view all the answers

What is necessary to prevent the extinction of rainforests?

Intervention to prevent habitat destruction and overuse of resources Signup and view all the answers

What is an advantage of high ecological diversity in an ecosystem?

It allows for other species to fill in for a failed species. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the population sizes in stable ecosystems?

They fluctuate around a relatively constant level. Signup and view all the answers

Why are rainforests considered stable ecosystems?

They have high ecological diversity and a high degree of genetic diversity. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key factor in maintaining ecological diversity in rainforests?

Large variation in canopy cover, moisture, and temperatures. Signup and view all the answers

What is a major threat to the stability of rainforests?

Habitat destruction and overuse of resources. Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of the overuse of resources in rainforests?

A decline in the overall health of the ecosystem. Signup and view all the answers

Why are interventions necessary to prevent the extinction of rainforests?

Because habitat destruction and overuse of resources are occurring faster than rainforests can recover. Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of populations in stable ecosystems?

They cycle through periods of high and low numbers. Signup and view all the answers

What is a benefit of having multiple species that can fill similar ecological roles?

It allows ecosystems to recover more quickly from the loss of a single species. Signup and view all the answers

Why are rainforests considered resilient ecosystems?

Because they have a high degree of genetic diversity and ecological diversity. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Biodiversity and Ecosystem Stability

Environmental problems facing the planet include habitat loss and degradation, climate change, invasive species, pollution, overuse of natural resources, and deforestation, which all contribute to a decrease in biodiversity.

What is Biodiversity?

Biodiversity is the measurement of diversity observed within living systems.
It is an indicator of an ecosystem's health and stability.
Ecosystems with high biodiversity can rebound faster from disturbances and are less impacted by extinction events.

Types of Biodiversity

Biodiversity can be applied to many systems at multiple scales.
It considers the diversity of an ecosystem at multiple levels, including:
- The number of species within an ecosystem
- The diversity of genes within a species or ecosystem
- The diversity of ecosystems within a landscape, continent, or planet
The scale of biodiversity can range from incredibly small to incredibly large.

Species Biodiversity

Species biodiversity is the most common type of biological diversity measurement.
It considers the total number of species within a given area.
Species diversity can be specified to a specific type of organism or at varying levels of the phylogeny.
The total number of species on the planet is estimated to be between 3.5 million and over 100 million.

Genetic Biodiversity

Genetic biodiversity considers the diversity of genomes within an ecosystem.
It can be measured at different scales, including:
- Diversity of nucleotides between individuals of a single population and species
- Diversity of genome size between species in an ecosystem
Low genetic diversity can make a population more susceptible to detrimental genetic mutations or disease.

Ecological Biodiversity

Ecological biodiversity considers the number of different ecosystems.
It is often concerned with large scales, such as the number of ecosystem types within a continent.
Ecological biodiversity can be measured at small scales, including microclimates and niches.

Biodiversity and Ecosystem Stability

Biodiversity is closely related to ecosystem stability.
In ecosystems with few species, niches may be empty or have only one or two species, making them vulnerable to collapse.
In ecosystems with high diversity, niches are full and have overlapping species, making them more stable.
A stable ecosystem is one where species evenness, density, and population size remain relatively constant.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Learn about the impact of biodiversity on ecosystem stability and the major threats affecting our planet, including habitat loss, climate change, and pollution. Understand how these threats decrease ecosystem biodiversity. Get ready to test your knowledge!