Levels of Life
The smallest level of ecological organization that is alive.
What is an organism?
Larger islands tend to have more or fewer species?
What is more species?
The variety of life in an area is called this.
What is biodiversity?
Cutting down forests is an example of this threat.
What is habitat loss?
This occurs when toxins build up in one organism over time.
What is bioaccumulation?
A group of organisms of the same species living in one area.
What is a population?
Islands closer to the mainland have higher or lower immigration rates?
What is higher immigration?
Biodiversity at the genetic level refers to differences in this.
What is DNA/genes?
This invasive species trait allows them to outcompete natives.
What is rapid reproduction (or lack of predators)?
This occurs when toxin concentration increases up the food chain.
What is biomagnification?
Multiple populations of different species living together form this.
What is a community?
The balance between immigration and extinction is called this.
What is equilibrium?
A forest, coral reef, and desert are examples of this level of biodiversity.
What is ecosystem diversity?
Burning fossil fuels contributes to this global threat.
What is climate change?
Top predators tend to have the highest or lowest toxin levels?
What is highest?
Includes both living and nonliving components.
What is an ecosystem?
Smaller islands have higher or lower extinction rates?
What is higher extinction?
This type of species has a disproportionately large impact on its ecosystem.
What is a keystone species?
Pollution entering waterways often comes from this type of source (not a single point).
What is nonpoint source pollution?
This chemical famously caused eggshell thinning in birds of prey.
What is DDT?
The broadest ecological level that includes all ecosystems on Earth.
What is the biosphere?
The theory explaining species richness based on island size and distance is called this.
What is the Theory of Island Biogeography?
Areas with extremely high biodiversity that are under threat are called this.
What are biodiversity hotspots?
Overharvesting of fish beyond recovery is called this.
What is overfishing (or overexploitation)?
Give an example of a trophic level where toxins are least concentrated.
What are producers (or primary producers)?