6.3 Biodiversity, Ecosystems and Resilience

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What is resilience in an ecosystem?

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The ability of an ecosystem to return to its original state after being disturbed.

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Which type of biodiversity is more likely to survive environmental changes?

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High (rich) biodiversity.

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What is species diversity?

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The variety of different species found in a particular ecosystem.

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What does biodiversity refer to?

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The variety of different organisms found in an ecosystem.

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What is genetic diversity?

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Differences in DNA among individuals of a population or species.

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What are keystone species?

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Species that have a disproportionately large effect on their environment relative to their abundance.

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What are invasive species?

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Non-native species that spread widely in a new habitat and can cause harm to the ecosystem.

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What are limiting factors in an ecosystem?

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Environmental conditions that restrict the growth, abundance, or distribution of organisms.

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What is ecosystem diversity?

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The variety of ecosystems within a given area.

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How does high biodiversity contribute to ecosystem resilience?

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High biodiversity increases the chances that some species will survive environmental changes, thus maintaining ecosystem functions.