Wildlife Habitats and Ecosystems

A habitat is the natural environment in which an organism or species lives
Types of habitats:
- Terrestrial (land-based): forests, grasslands, deserts
- Freshwater: rivers, lakes, wetlands
- Marine: oceans, coral reefs, estuaries
- Arctic/Antarctic: tundra, ice caps
Habitat destruction and fragmentation are major threats to wildlife populations

An ecosystem is a community of living and non-living components interacting with each other
Components:
- Biotic factors: plants, animals, microorganisms
- Abiotic factors: water, sunlight, temperature, soil
Energy flow:
- Producers (plants): convert sunlight into energy
- Consumers (animals): obtain energy by consuming producers or other consumers
- Decomposers (microorganisms): break down organic matter

The variety of different species of plants, animals, and microorganisms that live in an ecosystem or on Earth as a whole
Types of biodiversity:
- Species diversity: number of different species
- Genetic diversity: variety of genes within a species
- Ecosystem diversity: variety of ecosystems
Importance of biodiversity:
- Provides ecosystem services: pollination, pest control, climate regulation
- Supports human well-being: food, medicine, recreation

Long-term warming of the planet due to increase in average global temperature
Causes:
- Greenhouse gases: carbon dioxide, methane, water vapor
- Human activities: burning fossil fuels, deforestation, agriculture
Effects on nature:
- Rising sea levels
- Changes in precipitation patterns
- Increased frequency and severity of extreme weather events
- Shift in species distribution and extinction risk

The protection and preservation of natural resources, including wildlife and their habitats
Approaches:
- In situ conservation: protects species and habitats in their natural environment
- Ex situ conservation: protects species outside their natural environment (e.g., zoos, botanical gardens)
- Sustainable use: manages natural resources in a way that maintains their long-term health
Importance of conservation:
- Maintains ecosystem services
- Supports human well-being
- Preserves option values for future generations

An ecosystem is a community of living and non-living components interacting with each other
Biotic factors in an ecosystem include plants, animals, and microorganisms
Abiotic factors in an ecosystem include water, sunlight, temperature, and soil
Producers (plants) convert sunlight into energy
Consumers (animals) obtain energy by consuming producers or other consumers
Decomposers (microorganisms) break down organic matter

Biodiversity is the variety of different species of plants, animals, and microorganisms
Types of biodiversity include species diversity, genetic diversity, and ecosystem diversity
Species diversity refers to the number of different species
Genetic diversity refers to the variety of genes within a species
Ecosystem diversity refers to the variety of ecosystems
Biodiversity provides ecosystem services, supports human well-being, and has option values for future generations
Ecosystem services include pollination, pest control, and climate regulation
Human well-being benefits from biodiversity include food, medicine, and recreation

Climate change is the long-term warming of the planet due to an increase in average global temperature
Greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor, contribute to climate change
Human activities, including burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and agriculture, contribute to climate change
Climate change effects on nature include rising sea levels, changes in precipitation patterns, and increased frequency and severity of extreme weather events
Climate change also shifts species distribution and increases extinction risk

Conservation is the protection and preservation of natural resources, including wildlife and their habitats
In situ conservation protects species and habitats in their natural environment
Ex situ conservation protects species outside their natural environment, such as in zoos or botanical gardens
Sustainable use manages natural resources in a way that maintains their long-term health
Conservation maintains ecosystem services, supports human well-being, and preserves option values for future generations