Why biodiversity is important Flashcards
(10 cards)
Why is genetic diversity important?
It increases resilience to environmental change and maintains health and fertility of individuals
Genetic diversity allows for a wider range of traits that can help a population adapt to changing environments.
What is a consequence of low genetic diversity?
An environmental change can eliminate the whole population
Low genetic diversity means fewer traits to adapt, making populations more vulnerable to environmental shifts.
What is inbreeding depression?
Reduced health, increased genetic disorders, lower fertility
Inbreeding depression occurs when closely related individuals breed, leading to a higher chance of offspring inheriting harmful genetic traits.
What is a benefit of high genetic diversity?
Increased resilience to environmental change
Populations with high genetic diversity are more likely to contain individuals with advantageous traits that help them survive adverse conditions.
What can low genetic variability lead to?
inbreeding depression
This condition results in a decrease in the overall health and viability of a population.
Fill in the blank: High genetic diversity helps maintain the health and _______ of individuals.
fertility
Fertility is crucial for the reproduction and survival of populations.
What is species richness?
Total number of species in an ecosystem
How does high species richness affect ecosystem stability?
Increases stability and resilience to disturbance
What is the relationship between higher biodiversity and ecological collapse?
A higher biodiversity reduces the chance of ecological collapse
Why is species diversity important?
It spreads interactions among more species
