Ecosystems: Stability & Change

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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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How does high biodiversity contribute to ecosystem stability?

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High biodiversity increases ecosystem stability by providing a wider range of species that can adapt to changes, resist diseases, and recover from disturbances.

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What is primary succession?

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Primary succession is the process of ecological change that occurs in an area where no soil exists, starting with pioneer species that colonize bare rock.

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What is secondary succession?

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Secondary succession is the process of ecological change that occurs in an area where a disturbance has destroyed an existing community but soil and some organisms still remain.

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What are pioneer species?

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Pioneer species are the first organisms to colonize previously uninhabited or disturbed environments, such as lichens and mosses on bare rock.

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What is a niche?

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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 habitat fragmentation?

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

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What are some threats to biodiversity?

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Threats to biodiversity include habitat destruction, pollution, climate change, invasive species, and overexploitation of resources.

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What is parasitism?

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Parasitism is a symbiotic relationship where one organism (the parasite) benefits at the expense of another organism (the host), such as a tick feeding on a dog.

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What is the difference between abiotic and biotic factors?

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Abiotic factors are non-living chemical and physical components of the environment (e.g., sunlight, water, temperature), while biotic factors are living components (e.g., plants, animals, bacteria).