Biodiversity Flashcards
(19 cards)
Biogeography
the study of the distribution of biodiversity over space and time
Ecology
the study of the distribution and abundance of organisms
Two measures of biodiversity:
richness and diversity
Biological evolution
genetic change in organisms across generations
A trait that promotes success:
adaptive trait or adaptation
Speciation
the birth of new species
Biogeographic realms
areas with similar species with shared evolutionary pasts aka phylogenetic units
Biomes
areas defined by similar climate, soils, etc.
Types of Biomes (10)
Tropical Rainforest Tropical Dry Forest Tropical Savanna Desert Temperate Grassland Mediterranean-type Shrubland Temperate Forest Boreal Forest (Taiga) Tundra Alpine
Habitat
an ecological or environmental area inhabited by a plant, animal or other organism
Effects of fragmentation: (4)
isolation of habitat
less difference within patches
bigger differences between patches
increased ‘edge effects’
Drivers of habitat destruction: (7)
- human population growth
- poverty
- urban expansion
- policy failures
- institutional failures
- trade globalization
- climate change and other natural factors
Minimum Viable Population (MVP)
the smallest viable population of a species in a habitat, based on resource needs, reproductive ecology, genetic diversity, buffering against catastrophes
Alien Species
occurring by human agency in an area where it is not native
Invasive Species
alien species colonising natural ecosystems and threatening biodiversity
Impacts of Invasive Species (6)
Predation Resource Competition Ecosystem Engineering Hybridisation Pathogens / Disease Herbivory
Four approaches to containing invasive species
Prevention
Eradication
Containment
Asset-based Protection
Biogeochemical Cycles (BCGs): (3)
- Provide the nutrients that living things need
- Maintain ecosystem health by preventing buildup of chemicals to toxic levels
- Create and develop fertile soils
Flux
movement of material from one source to another (sources to sinks)
