Biodiversity & Ecosystem Services
Explain one reason why high genetic diversity in a population increases the likelihood of survival when environmental conditions change.
High genetic diversity increases variation, allowing some individuals to survive environmental stressors, ensuring population survival.
State the two main factors that influence species richness on islands.
Island size and distance from the mainland.
Define evolution and explain how natural selection leads to evolutionary change.
Evolution is the change in allele (gene) frequencies over time; natural selection favors traits that increase survival and reproduction.
Differentiate between primary and secondary succession. Give one example each.
Primary: starts on bare substrate (e.g., lava flow); secondary: follows disturbance but soil remains (e.g., abandoned farm).
Define an invasive species and one characteristic aiding its spread.
Non-native species that outcompete natives; high reproductive rate aids spread.
Identify and describe one regulating ecosystem service and one cultural ecosystem service.
Regulating: Water filtration by wetlands increases the health of bodies of water.
Cultural: Ecotourism providing recreational value.
Explain why larger islands typically support more species than smaller islands.
Larger islands have more habitats and resources, supporting more niches and lower extinction rates.
Give an example of an adaptation and explain how it arose through selective pressure.
Answers vary.
Polar bear fur: insulating white fur evolved due to cold climate selective pressures.
Identify a pioneer species and its role.
Lichen; breaks down rock and adds organic matter to soil.
Describe one anthropogenic cause of endangerment and one mitigation method.
Cause: habitat destruction; Mitigation: protected areas.
A population of cheetahs has low genetic diversity due to a historical bottleneck. Describe one potential ecological consequence.
Increased susceptibility to disease or environmental changes could lead to population decline or extinction.
Two islands are the same size, but one is farther from the mainland. Predict which has greater biodiversity and why.
The closer island; easier immigration leads to higher species richness.
Explain how Darwin’s finches support speciation through adaptive radiation.
Different beak shapes evolved to exploit different food resources, showing diversification from a common ancestor.
Explain biodiversity changes from start to climax community.
Biodiversity increases as more species colonize and stabilize the ecosystem.
Explain how climate change alters species’ range of tolerance.
Rising temperatures can exceed a species’ tolerance, forcing migration or causing population decline.
Identify two different scales on which biodiversity can be measured.
Genetic Diversity
Species Diversity
Ecosystem Diversity
Describe how habitat fragmentation on the mainland mimics island biogeography effects.
Fragments act as “islands” with limited species immigration, higher extinction risk, and reduced biodiversity.
Define coevolution and give an example.
Reciprocal evolutionary change between interacting species; e.g., hummingbirds and tubular flowers.
A forest is clear-cut. Predict changes in soil and plant species over time.
Soil nutrient loss initially; pioneer species colonize first; eventually, diverse plant community may return.
Identify two HIPPCO components and explain biodiversity loss.
Habitat destruction (loss of living space); invasive species (outcompete natives).
A coastal wetland provides flood protection and fish nursery grounds. Identify the ecosystem services and explain how human activities might degrade them.
Flood protection: regulating;
Fish nursery: provisioning.
Human activities like development, pollution, or draining wetlands reduce these services.
Explain why many island species are particularly vulnerable to invasive species.
Island species are often specialists with no defenses against pathogens and/or predators.
Two species of anole lizards live in the same environment the following graph shows their fundamental niche. Predict their realized niches by drawing a graph.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/18fFkLrJ6aci-luTljyerj9FboTUtrSPnz_2G-wQioaA/edit?tab=t.0
Design an experiment on nitrogen fertilizer affecting secondary succession. Identify independent/dependent variables and control.
IV: nitrogen addition; DV: plant species diversity over time; Control: plots without nitrogen fertilizer.
Explain one solution to human-caused loss of biodiversity.
Habitat Loss: Preserve habitats and prevent fragmentation, construct wildlife corridors etc
Invasive Species: Increase legislation aroud global trade to prevent the spread of invaisve species
Population: Decrease the population of humans/ move more humans into cities
Pollution: Decrease the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers
Climate Change: Switch to more renewable energy sources
Overconsumption: Increase legislation and prosecution of poaching, decrease overall consumption of manufactured goods