Unit 2 The Living World: Biodiversity

What is a specialist species?

• A species that can thrive in a wide range of environments and has diverse food needs.

• A species that has a narrow range of tolerance and specific habitat and food needs, making it more vulnerable to extinction.

• A species that is the most abundant in its ecosystem and has no specific habitat requirements.

• A species that migrates seasonally and adapts to various habitats.

What is secondary succession?

• A process where a new community develops in a previously uninhabited area.

• A type of succession that occurs after a disturbance that leaves the soil intact, such as after a forest fire.

• The initial colonization of barren land by organisms.

• A succession that occurs in aquatic environments only.

What is the role of keystone species?

• They are the most abundant species in an ecosystem.

• They have a disproportionately large effect on their environment relative to their abundance, helping to maintain the structure of an ecosystem.

• They are species that are at the top of the food chain.

• They are species that have no significant impact on their ecosystem.

What is the significance of biodiversity?

• Biodiversity is essential for ecosystem resilience and provides services like pollination, nutrient cycling, and climate regulation.

• Biodiversity is primarily important for aesthetic purposes and tourism.

• Biodiversity has no significant impact on ecosystem health or human well-being.

• Biodiversity is only relevant in tropical regions and has little effect elsewhere.

What is a generalist species?

• A species that can only thrive in a specific habitat.

• A species that has a narrow diet and habitat requirements.

• A species that can adapt to a wide range of habitats and has a broad diet, allowing it to thrive in various environments.

• A species that is exclusively found in one geographical area.

What is genetic diversity?

• The variety of species in a given habitat.

• The total number of genetic characteristics in the genetic makeup of a species, contributing to its adaptability and survival.

• The number of individuals in a population.

• The differences in physical traits among individuals of a species.

What is ecological succession?

• The process by which ecosystems remain unchanged over time.

• The process by which ecosystems change and develop over time, involving a series of stages from pioneer species to a climax community.

• A method of preserving ecosystems in their current state.

• The study of how species interact within an ecosystem.

What is ecosystem diversity?

• The variety of species within a single ecosystem.

• The variety of ecosystems within a given area, including different habitats, communities, and ecological processes.

• The total number of organisms in a specific habitat.

• The genetic variation within a species.

What is species richness?

• The total number of individuals in a community.

• The number of different species represented in a given ecological community.

• The variety of ecosystems in a geographical area.

• The genetic diversity within a single species.

What is species evenness?

• A measure of the total number of species in a community.

• A measure of how equal the abundances of different species are in a community, indicating the distribution of individuals among species.

• A measure of the genetic diversity within a species.

• A measure of the size of the largest species in a community.