Biodiversity

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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 diversity of species, genetic variation, and ecosystem diversity.

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Why is biodiversity important for ecosystems?

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Biodiversity is crucial for ecosystems as it helps populations adapt to ecological changes, maintains ecosystem stability, and supports services like pollination and nutrient cycling.

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What is a human disturbance in an ecosystem?

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A human disturbance is an alteration to the natural environment caused by human activities, such as deforestation, urbanization, and pollution.

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What is deforestation?

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Deforestation is the clearing or thinning of forests by humans, often resulting in loss of biodiversity and disruption of ecosystems.

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What are invasive species?

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Invasive species are non-native organisms that, when introduced to a new environment, can outcompete native species and disrupt local ecosystems.

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What is an example of an invasive species?

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The lionfish is an example of an invasive species that has negatively impacted marine ecosystems in the Atlantic Ocean.

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What does the term 'disturbance' mean in ecology?

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In ecology, 'disturbance' refers to any major changes that disrupt ecosystem structure and function, such as natural disasters or human activities.

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What is ecological resilience?

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Ecological resilience is the ability of an ecosystem to recover from disturbances and return to its original state.

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How does biodiversity contribute to ecosystem services?

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Biodiversity contributes to ecosystem services by providing resources such as food, clean water, and air, as well as regulating climate and disease.

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What is the role of keystone species in an ecosystem?

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Keystone species are species that have a disproportionately large impact on their environment relative to their abundance, helping to maintain the structure of the ecosystem.