All Flashcards
What is the Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis?
Maximum species diversity occurs with an intermediate level of disturbance.
Explain the relationship between disturbance and biodiversity.
Too little or too much disturbance lowers biodiversity; intermediate disturbance maximizes it.
Why are early succession species important after a disturbance?
They can colonize disturbed areas quickly, stabilizing the environment.
How does climate change affect sea level?
Glaciers melt due to climate change, leading to increased sea level and coastal flooding.
Why is understanding change important in environmental science?
The Earth is dynamic; understanding change causes and effects is crucial.
What determines an ecosystem's resistance to change?
The ability of the ecosystem to withstand disturbances without significant damage.
What determines an ecosystem's resilience?
The speed at which an ecosystem can return to its original state after a disturbance.
Why is migration considered a type of change?
Migration is a seasonal change in animal populations in response to environmental conditions.
How do low disturbance levels affect species diversity?
Low disturbance levels lead to dominance by late succession species, resulting in lower diversity.
How do high disturbance levels affect species diversity?
High disturbance levels allow only early succession species to survive, leading to lower diversity.
Explain the concept of ecosystem change.
Ecosystems are dynamic and constantly changing due to natural and anthropogenic factors.
What is the significance of resistance in an ecosystem?
High resistance means the ecosystem shows little change after a disturbance.
What is the significance of resilience in an ecosystem?
High resilience means the ecosystem recovers quickly after a disturbance.
Explain the Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis.
Maximum species diversity occurs at an intermediate level of disturbance.
Why is moderate disturbance important for biodiversity?
Allows both early and late succession species to coexist.
What is the effect of glacier melting?
Causes sea level rise and increased coastal flooding.
What is the effect of intermediate disturbance?
Allows coexistence of early and late succession species, maximizing diversity.
What is the effect of high disturbance?
Only early succession species can survive, leading to lower diversity.
What is the effect of low disturbance?
Dominated by late succession species, leading to lower diversity.
What is the effect of anthropogenic climate change?
Increased frequency and intensity of natural disasters, impacting ecosystem resilience.
What is the effect of a volcanic eruption?
Destroys existing habitats, leading to primary succession and changes in species composition.
What is the effect of deforestation?
Reduces habitat availability, increases soil erosion, and decreases biodiversity.
What is the effect of pollution?
Contaminates resources, harms organisms, and disrupts ecosystem processes.
What is the effect of invasive species?
Outcompetes native species, alters food webs, and reduces biodiversity.
What is the effect of habitat fragmentation?
Reduces habitat size, isolates populations, and decreases genetic diversity.