APES Unit 2 Biodiversity

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What is species richness?

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Species richness refers to the number of different species present in a given area or ecosystem.

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What is primary succession?

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Primary succession is the process of ecological change that occurs in an area where no soil exists, such as after a volcanic eruption or glacier retreat.

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What is secondary succession?

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Secondary succession is the process of ecological change that occurs in an area where a disturbance has destroyed an existing ecosystem but left the soil intact.

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What does HIPPCO stand for?

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HIPPCO is an acronym for Habitat destruction, Invasive species, Pollution, Population growth, Climate change, and Overexploitation, which are major threats to biodiversity.

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How do small islands affect biodiversity?

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Small islands typically have less biodiversity due to limited resources and smaller habitats, which restrict the number of species that can survive.

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What is the significance of pioneer species?

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Pioneer species, such as moss and lichen, are the first organisms to colonize barren environments, initiating the process of ecological succession.

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What is the difference between species richness and species evenness?

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Species richness measures the number of different species in an area, while species evenness measures how evenly individuals are distributed among those species.

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What role do keystone species play in an ecosystem?

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Keystone species have a disproportionately large impact on their environment relative to their abundance, helping to maintain the structure of the ecosystem.

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What is an invasive species?

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An invasive species is a non-native species that spreads widely in a new habitat, often causing harm to native species and ecosystems.

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What is biodiversity?

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Biodiversity refers to the variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem, including the diversity of species, genetic variation, and ecosystem diversity.