Ecosystem Basics
The term for a group of organisms of the same species living in a given area.
What is a population?
The variety of species in a given area.
What is species diversity?
Cutting down forests to build farms or cities is this type of habitat change.
What is habitat destruction?
These are areas set aside to protect wildlife and natural resources.
What are protected areas or reserves?
Trees providing oxygen is an example of this type of service.
What is a provisioning service?
The physical and biological components of an environment form this.
What is an ecosystem?
This type of biodiversity refers to the variety of genes within a species.
What is genetic diversity?
This environmental issue is caused by excessive CO2 and contributes to biodiversity loss.
What is climate change?
This agreement protects endangered species across international borders.
What is CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species)?
Wetlands cleaning water is an example of this ecosystem service.
What is a regulating service?
These are organisms that produce their own food using sunlight.
What are producers or autotrophs?
The variety of ecosystems in a region.
What is ecosystem diversity?
The introduction of these can outcompete or harm native species.
What are invasive species?
The practice of reintroducing species to habitats where they once lived.
What is rewilding or species reintroduction?
Services that support life, like nutrient cycling and soil formation.
What are supporting services?
This is the role or job of an organism in its ecosystem.
What is a niche?
This type of species has a disproportionately large effect on its environment.
What is a keystone species?
Overhunting or overfishing species can lead to this.
What is extinction?
A species that is in danger of extinction is called this.
What is an endangered species?
Cultural, recreational, or spiritual value from nature is called this.
What is a cultural service?
The term for the total number of organisms an environment can support.
What is carrying capacity?
The number and abundance of different species in an area is known as this.
What is species richness and evenness?
These long-lasting chemicals can pollute water and harm ecosystems.
What are persistent organic pollutants (POPs)?
The strategy of using biological resources without depleting them.
What is sustainable use?
Ecosystems help reduce the effects of natural disasters.
What is natural hazard regulation?