Ch. 7 Biodiversity

Front

What is an ecosystem?

Back

An ecosystem is a community of living organisms interacting with their physical environment, including both biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) components.

Front

What does it mean for an ecosystem to be stable?

Back

An ecosystem is considered stable if it is both resistant (able to withstand disturbances) and resilient (able to recover from disturbances).

Front

What global phenomenon is causing organisms to move towards the poles or higher altitudes?

Back

Warming temperatures are causing some organisms to shift their habitats towards the poles or higher altitudes.

Front

Which type of coastline supports greater species diversity?

Back

Tree-lined coastlines tend to support greater species diversity compared to rocky or sandy beaches.

Front

What is biodiversity?

Back

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

Front

What is a threatened species?

Back

A threatened species is one that is likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future.

Front

What is an endangered species?

Back

An endangered species is one that is at serious risk of extinction.

Front

How does high biodiversity affect ecosystem stability?

Back

High levels of biodiversity tend to increase the stability of an ecosystem, making it more resilient to changes.

Front

What is habitat fragmentation?

Back

Habitat fragmentation is the process by which large habitats are broken into smaller, isolated patches, often due to human activities.

Front

What are invasive species?

Back

Invasive species are non-native organisms that spread widely in a new habitat, often causing harm to native species and ecosystems.