Biotic and Abiotic Factors
These are the non-living chemical and physical parts of the environment, such as temperature or sunlight.
abiotic
This is the most specific level, referring to a group of organisms that can breed and produce fertile offspring.
species
This term refers to the variety of life in an area, often measured by species richness and species evenness.
biodiversity
This conservation term describes an area with a high level of endemic species that is also under severe threat.
biodiversity hotspot
The term for a habitat being divided into smaller, isolated patches, often by human construction like roads.
habitat fragmentation
These are the living or once-living components of a specific environment.
biotic
This level includes all the different populations that live and interact in an area.
community
This is the term for the variety of different species within an ecosystem.
species diversity
This is the term for a species that is native to a particular geographic region and found nowhere else.
endemic
A common consequence of fragmentation that increases the amount of harsh, dry conditions around a habitat patch.
edge effect
A plant, a fungus, and the waste products of an animal are all examples of this type of factor.
biotic
This level includes both the biotic and abiotic factors in a specific area.
ecosystem
This value measures how close the population sizes of different species are to each other within a community.
species evenness
This is the minimum number of endemic plant species required for an area to qualify as a hotspot.
1,500
Roads, fences, or farms act as these for animal movement, preventing individuals from accessing a larger habitat.
barriers
Soil pH, water salinity, and annual rainfall are three examples of these non-living factors.
abiotic
All the members of one particular species that live in the same area.
population
Inbreeding is a major consequence of low genetic diversity, making the population vulnerable to a single disease.
genetic diversity
To qualify as a hotspot, an area must have lost at least this percentage of its original natural vegetation.
70%
This is a positive conservation solution that connects two fragmented habitat patches, allowing safe movement for wildlife.
wildlife/habitat corridor
This is the term for the specific location where an organism lives, determined by the combination of biotic and abiotic factors.
habitat
Tundra, desert, and tropical rainforest are the three examples of this largest, broad scale level based on climate and dominant plant life.
biome
A species that plays a critical role in maintaining the structure of an ecological community. Sea otters are a common example. Hint: Our state shares the same nickname.
keystone species
The main goal of identifying and protecting these 36 global areas.
prevent mass extinction; protect threatened species
This is the primary long-term impact on a fragmented species' population due to limited access to mates.
loss of genetic diversity/inbreeding