Biodiversity
Why is biodiversity important to ecosystems?
It helps populations adapt to ecological changes.
What is a species that naturally occurs in an ecosystem called?
Native species.
An event that drastically reduces a population's size and results in a loss of genetic variation
Bottleneck Effect
What type of succession begins in an area where no soil exists?
Primary succession.
The increase in concentration of a substance, such as a pesticide, in organisms at successively higher levels of a food chain.
biomagnification
What is the variety of life in an ecosystem called?
Biodiversity
What is a species that is found naturally in only one geographic location called?
Endemic species.
A wildfire kills most of a rabbit population, leaving only a few survivors. What type of genetic effect occurred?
Bottleneck effect.
What type of succession occurs when soil remains after a disturbance?
Secondary succession
Which organism would generally be affected most by biological magnification in a food chain?
Tree, Grasshopper, Wolf or Grass
Wolf
Why is genetic diversity important for a population's survival?
It increases the likelihood that the population can adapt to environmental changes.
A species is introduced to a new environment and causes harm to native organisms. What is it called?
Invasive species.
When a small group leaves a larger population and establishes a new population, resulting in a loss of genetic variation
founder effect
What is the forest called when it reaches its "Best"
Climax Community
What effect did DDT have on eagle eggs?
It caused eggshell thinning
What can happen to an ecosystem when biodiversity decreases?
The ecosystem can become less stable and populations may have a harder time adapting to changes.
What type of species can help indicate the health or environmental conditions of an ecosystem
Indicator species
A few birds from a mainland population fly to an island and establish a new population. What type of effect is this?
Founder effect.
An old field that was once used for farming is abandoned and gradually becomes a forest. What type of succession is this?
Secondary succession
How does global warming contribute to sea-level rise?
Melting glaciers and polar ice caps contribute to sea-level rise.
A population has very little genetic variation. A new disease enters the environment and kills most of the population. Why might low genetic diversity make this population more vulnerable?
There may be fewer individuals with traits that allow them to survive the disease.
An organism has a very large effect on its ecosystem. If it disappears, the ecosystem could change dramatically. What type of species is this?
Keystone species
What is one major consequence of the founder effect on genetic diversity?
The new population can have decreased genetic diversity compared with the original population
Mount St. Helens erupted and left areas covered in lava rock with little or no soil. What type of succession would begin in those areas?
Primary succession
What is a primary cause of algal blooms in aquatic ecosystems?
A. High levels of nitrogen and phosphorus from fertilizer runoff
B. Decreased water temperature
C. Increased fish populations
D. Low pH levels
A. High levels of nitrogen and phosphorus from fertilizer runoff