Biodiversity & Genetic Variation
This term describes the variety of different species.
biodiversity
What are regulating services?
Natural processes that help regulate the environment (e.g., flood control, climate regulation).
Why did finches on the Galápagos Islands evolve to be specialists?
Limited food sources forced them to adapt to specific diets.
This type of species can live in many different environments and eat a variety of foods.
Generalist species
What are pioneer species? Give examples
First species to colonize new or disturbed environments (e.g., lichens, mosses, fungi, bacteria).
Which has more offspring, r-selected or K-selected species
r-selected species.
What is an ecosystem engineer and give an example.
organisms that create, change or destroy a habitat.
Example: Beavers
a description of the distribution of abundance across the species in a community.
Species evenness
This type of service includes food, water, timber, and fiber.
Provisioning services
Why are small island populations more prone to extinction?
They are more vulnerable to unpredictable events and have limited genetic variation.
This type of species has a very narrow niche and depends on specific food or habitat requirements.
Specialist Species
What is primary succession?
Succession starting from bare rock or lifeless area with no soil.
Which type provides more parental care: r-selected or K-selected?
K-selected species.
what is an indicator species?
A plant or animal that shows how healthy or unhealthy an environment is.
What can happen to populations with low genetic diversity?
They are more susceptible to disease and unpredictable events.
The natural water cycle and soil formation are examples of this type of service.
Supporting Services
The highest species richness will be found on _______________ islands ________________ the mainland.
Large, near
Cockroaches, and rats are examples of this type of species. (generalist/specialist)
Generalist Species
What is secondary succession?
Succession that occurs in areas where soil and nutrients remain after disturbance.
Fill in the survivorship curve types: (K/r-selected) (Type I, II, III)
Wolves
Rabbits
Mosquitoes
Wolves: K-selected, Type I
Rabbits: r-selected, Type III
Mosquitoes: r-selected, Type III
What is a keystone species and give an example
Key species in maintaining balance in the environment and determining structure. sea otter, wolf examples given in class
An event that drastically reduces the size of a population and what causes this?
population bottleneck-disease & natural disasters
Recreational, aesthetic, and spiritual benefits are considered this category of ecosystem services.
Cultural Services
The lowest species richness will be found on _______ islands _________ from the mainland
small, far
Pandas, which eat almost only bamboo, are an example of this type of species.
Specialist species
Describe the difference between early and late stages of succession what plant life would you see in both
Early: mosses, lichens, grasses
Late: shrubs, trees
Describe characteristics of r-selected species.
Small, many offspring, little to no parental care, short life span.
Hurricanes, floods, and wildfires are examples of this type of environmental disruption.
Natural disruptions
Why is high genetic diversity important for species survival in a changing environment?
It increases the chances that some individuals will have traits allowing them to adapt to changes, such as disease, climate shifts, or habitat loss, which helps the species survive over time.
Wetlands filtering pollutants is an example of this type of service.
Regulating Services
What can anthropogenic activity can cause habitat fragmentation?
freeways, housing developments, logging, agriculture, bike path, cattle raising
Why are specialists more vulnerable to environmental changes than generalists?
Because they rely on a narrow range of resources or conditions and cannot easily adapt.
Name 2 natural and 2 anthropogenic-caused event that can trigger secondary succession.
Human: clearcutting or human-caused forest fire
Natural: Forest fire (lightning), tornado
What type of survivorship curve do K-selected species follow?
Type I, because most individuals live long lives with few dying young due to high parental care.
Name 2 natural disruptions to the environment
Ex. Wildfires, Hurricanes / Cyclones / Typhoons, Tsunamis, Earthquakes, Volcanic eruptions, Flooding, Drought, Disease outbreaks
What are stressors that can affect biodiversity?
Competition, predation, disease, global warming, humans, etc.
Ecotoursim (Regulating, Provisioning, Cultural, etc)
Cultural
Who is known as the father of the theory of evolution?
Charles Darwin
Classify the following species as a generalist or a specialist:
Raccoon
Salamander
Deer
Raccoon: Generalist
Salamander: Specialist
Deer: Generalist
Name 2 natural and 2 anthropogenic-caused event that can trigger Primary succession.
Anthropogenic: Nuclear explosion, mountain top removal
Natural: Glacier retreat, volcanic eruption
A population of sea turtles lays hundreds of eggs on the beach, but only a few survive to adulthood. Once adults, they can live for decades and reproduce many times over their lifespan.
Do sea turtles fit better as r-selected or K-selected species, and why is it complicated?
Sea turtles show a mix — they produce many offspring with little parental care (r-selected), but adults live long and reproduce repeatedly (K-selected). They don’t fit neatly into one category, showing the r/K continuum.
Name 2 anthropogenic disruptions to the environment
Logging, mining, Combustion of Fossil Fuels, Deforestation, Air pollution, Water pollution, Soil pollution, Climate change, Habitat destruction / Urbanization, Overfishing / Overhunting, Invasive species introduction, Resource overuse