Unit 2 APES

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What is a keystone species?

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A keystone species is a species that has a disproportionately large effect on its environment relative to its abundance. For example, sea otters are considered a keystone species because they help maintain the balance of kelp forest ecosystems.

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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 the variety of ecosystems.

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Why is high biodiversity important for ecosystems?

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High biodiversity increases ecosystem resilience, allowing it to better withstand environmental changes and disturbances. It also enhances ecosystem services such as pollination, nutrient cycling, and water purification.

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What is species richness?

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Species richness is the number of different species represented in a given ecological community, landscape, or region.

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What is species evenness?

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Species evenness measures how equal the populations of different species are in a community. High evenness means that species are represented by similar numbers of individuals.

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What is a natural disruption to an ecosystem?

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Natural disruptions are events that occur in nature that can change the structure or function of an ecosystem, such as volcanic eruptions, hurricanes, and earthquakes.

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What is the impact of air pollution on ecosystems?

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Air pollution is not a natural disruption; it is a human-induced factor that can harm ecosystems by affecting air quality, harming wildlife, and altering habitats.

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How do humans impact biodiversity?

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Humans impact biodiversity primarily through habitat destruction, pollution, overexploitation of species, and introducing invasive species.

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What is habitat destruction?

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Habitat destruction is the process in which natural habitat becomes incapable of supporting its native species, often due to human activities such as deforestation, urbanization, and agriculture.

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What is an example of a biome with high biodiversity?

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Tropical rainforests are an example of a biome with high biodiversity, hosting a vast number of species due to their warm climate and abundant rainfall.

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