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Why is biodiversity ecologically relevant?
It helps measure the importance of an area for conservation and development decisions.
How does high species diversity impact an ecosystem?
It usually means a healthier, more resilient ecosystem.
Why is genetic diversity important for a species?
More genetic diversity means a population is more resilient to changes.
What are provisioning services?
Direct products we get from nature, such as wood, food, and water.
What are regulating services?
Natural processes that keep our environment stable, like climate regulation and water purification.
What are cultural services?
Non-material benefits we get from nature, such as recreation and aesthetic beauty.
What are supporting services?
Basic processes that allow all other ecosystem services to exist, like nutrient cycling and soil formation.
What is resistance in ecological tolerance?
The ability to withstand a disturbance.
What is resilience in ecological tolerance?
The ability to recover from a disturbance.
Why are natural disruptions important?
They are part of Earth's natural cycles and can have big impacts on ecosystems.
What are the effects of low species evenness?
An ecosystem may be less resilient to environmental changes and more susceptible to disease or invasive species.
What are the consequences of losing ecosystem services?
Reduced access to clean water, food shortages, increased climate instability, and loss of cultural and recreational opportunities.
What are the effects of volcanic eruptions on ecosystems?
Destruction of existing vegetation, alteration of soil composition, and potential for long-term climate change.
How does climate change affect ecological tolerance?
Species may be forced to migrate, adapt, or face extinction if their tolerance limits are exceeded.
Define Biodiversity.
The variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem.
Define Species Diversity.
The total number of different species in an ecosystem.
Define Species Richness.
The number of different species present in a given area.
Define Species Evenness.
How evenly distributed the species are in an ecosystem.
Define Genetic Diversity.
The variety of genes within a species.
Define Alleles.
Different versions of a gene.
Define Phenotypes.
The physical traits that result from genes.
Define Ecosystem Services.
The benefits humans get from the natural world.
Define Ecological Tolerance.
The range of conditions a species can survive in.
Define Resistance.
The ability to withstand a disturbance.
Define Resilience.
The ability to recover from a disturbance.
Define Ecological Succession.
The process of ecosystem recovery after a disturbance.
Define Pioneer Species.
The first species to colonize a disturbed area.
Define Primary Succession.
Succession that starts with no soil.
Define Secondary Succession.
Succession that starts with soil already present.