Questions and Answers
What is species diversity?
Determined by richness and evenness.
What is genetic diversity?
A measurement of the differences in DNA composition among individuals within a given species.
What is ecosystem diversity?
Variety of habitats, living communities, and ecological processes in the living world.
What is functional diversity?
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What is biological evolution?
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What is natural selection?
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What are fossils?
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What are mutations?
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What is differential reproduction?
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What is adaptation?
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What are foundation species?
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What is background extinction?
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What is mass extinction?
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What is species richness?
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What is an ecological niche?
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What is species evenness?
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What are generalist species?
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What are specialist species?
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What is speciation?
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What are indicator species?
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What are keystone species?
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What are endemic species?
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What is extinction?
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What is geographical isolation?
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What is reproductive isolation?
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What is biodiversity?
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Study Notes
Ecological Diversity Concepts
- Species Diversity: Evaluated by richness (number of species) and evenness (distribution of individuals among species).
- Genetic Diversity: Reflects the variety of genetic information within a species, impacting adaptability and survival.
Ecosystem and Functional Diversity
- Ecosystem Diversity: Encompasses different habitats, communities, and ecological processes, crucial for ecological balance.
- Functional Diversity: Refers to the biological and chemical functions necessary for species and community survival, such as energy flow.
Evolution and Natural Processes
- Biological Evolution: Involves inherited genetic changes over generations that result in physical variations within a species.
- Natural Selection: A key evolutionary process where individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce.
Fossils, Mutations, and Reproduction
- Fossils: Remnants of ancient organisms, providing insights into past life forms and evolutionary changes.
- Mutations: Random genetic changes in nucleotide sequences, serving as a fundamental source of genetic diversity.
- Differential Reproduction: Occurs when individuals with beneficial genetic traits produce more offspring than those without.
Adaptation and Species Roles
- Adaptation: Traits that enhance an organism's survival and reproductive success in its environment.
- Foundation Species: Critical species that shape community structure by creating habitats beneficial for others.
Extinction and Species Concepts
- Background Extinction: The natural process of species extinction occurring at a slow rate.
- Mass Extinction: A rapid event causing widespread and significant loss of species within a short time frame.
- Species Richness: Indicates the total number of different species in a given area.
Ecosystem Function and Species Types
- Ecological Niche: The unique role and position of a species in its ecosystem, including resource use and interspecies relationships.
- Species Evenness: Measures the distribution of individuals among the different species in an ecosystem.
- Generalist Species: Organisms capable of thriving in diverse environments with wide ecological niches.
- Specialist Species: Organisms adapted to specific habitats with narrow ecological requirements.
Speciation and Indicator Species
- Speciation: The process through which populations evolve to form new species, often due to reproductive isolation.
- Indicator Species: Serve as early warnings of ecosystem damage or degradation, reflecting environmental health.
Keystone and Endemic Species
- Keystone Species: Play a pivotal role in maintaining the structure of an ecological community, influencing the abundance of other species.
- Endemic Species: Species unique to a specific geographical area, often with limited distribution.
Extinction, Isolation, and Biodiversity
- Extinction: The complete loss of a species from the planet, impacting biodiversity.
- Geographical Isolation: Occurs when physical barriers separate populations, potentially leading to speciation.
- Reproductive Isolation: Prevents interbreeding between separate species, which can lead to divergence and new species formation.
- Biodiversity: The variety of life forms in a specific area, incorporating species, habitat, and genetic diversity.
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Test your knowledge on key concepts of ecological diversity with these flashcards. Explore important definitions such as species, genetic, ecosystem, and functional diversity. Perfect for students in environmental studies or ecology.