Envi-Sci-Review flashcard

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What is natural selection?

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Natural selection is the process by which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring. It is a key mechanism of evolution.

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What is biodiversity?

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Biodiversity refers to the variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem, including the number of different species, genetic diversity, and ecosystem diversity.

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What is the difference between primary and secondary succession?

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Primary succession occurs in lifeless areas where soil has not yet formed, while secondary succession occurs in areas where a disturbance has destroyed an existing ecosystem but soil and some organisms still remain.

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What is an invasive species?

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An invasive species is a non-native species that spreads widely in a new habitat and causes harm to the environment, economy, or human health.

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How do human activities impact ecosystems?

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Human activities such as pollution, deforestation, and urbanization can disrupt ecosystems, leading to loss of biodiversity and habitat destruction.

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What is the role of decomposers in an ecosystem?

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Decomposers break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem and helping to maintain soil health.

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What is the significance of the food chain?

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The food chain illustrates the flow of energy and nutrients through an ecosystem, showing how different organisms are interconnected.

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What is ecological succession?

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Ecological succession is the process by which ecosystems change and develop over time, often following a disturbance.

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What is a niche in ecology?

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A niche is the role or function of an organism or species within an ecosystem, including its habitat, resource use, and interactions with other organisms.

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What is the concept of carrying capacity?

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Carrying capacity is the maximum number of individuals of a particular species that an environment can sustainably support.