TEST-Chapter 5- Biodiversity

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

A non-renewable resource is a natural resource that cannot be replenished at the same rate it is consumed, such as coal, oil, and natural gas.

Biodiversity hotspots are regions that are both rich in species diversity and under significant threat from human activities, making them critical areas for conservation.

When a species becomes extinct, it can disrupt the balance of the ecosystem, leading to changes in population dynamics and the potential collapse of food webs.

Algal blooms are rapid increases in the population of algae in aquatic systems, often caused by excess nutrients from pollution.

Eutrophication leads to nutrient overload in water bodies, resulting in algal blooms, decreased oxygen levels, and harm to aquatic life.

Biomagnification is the process by which the concentration of toxins increases in living organisms as they move up the food chain.

The main causes of biodiversity loss include habitat destruction, pollution, climate change, overexploitation, and invasive species.

Protected areas help conserve biodiversity by providing safe habitats for species, preserving ecosystems, and allowing for natural processes to occur.

Renewable resources can be replenished naturally over time (e.g., solar energy, wind), while non-renewable resources exist in finite amounts and cannot be replaced (e.g., coal, oil).