Biodiversity and Ecology

• What is biodiversity?


  Biodiversity refers to the variety of different plants, animals, and microorganisms that live in an ecosystem or on Earth as a whole.
• Why is biodiversity important?


  Biodiversity supports ecosystem services, maintains ecosystem processes, provides human well-being, and has economic benefits.
• What are the components of biodiversity?

  Species diversity, genetic diversity, ecosystem diversity, and landscape diversity.
• What is a habitat?


  A habitat is where a species lives within a population.
• How do populations interact in a habitat?

  Many different populations interact in the same habitat, creating a community.
• What is an ecosystem?

  An ecosystem is the interaction of a community with non-living (abiotic) parts of the environment.
• Why are organisms adapted to their environment?

  Organisms are adapted to live in the conditions of their environment.
• What is competition among organisms?

  Competition occurs when organisms need the same resources.
• What resources do plants compete for?

  Plants may compete for light, space, water, and mineral ions.
• What resources do animals compete for?

  Animals may compete for space, food, water, and mating partners.
• What does interdependence mean in a community?

  Interdependence describes how organisms in a community depend on other organisms for vital services.
• What are some vital services that organisms depend on from each other?

  Vital services include food, shelter, and reproduction (pollination, seed dispersal).
• How does the removal or addition of a species affect a community?

  The removal or addition of a species can greatly affect the populations of others, changing prey or predator numbers.
• What characterizes a stable community?


  A stable community is one where all the biotic and abiotic factors are in balance.
• What happens to population sizes in a stable community?

  The population sizes remain roughly constant in a stable community.
• Why is it difficult to replace lost species in a community?

  When species are lost, it is very difficult to replace them.
• What are examples of stable communities?


  Examples include tropical rainforests, oak woodlands, and coral reefs.
• What is an abiotic factor?

  An abiotic factor is a non-living factor.
• How does light intensity affect a community?

  Light is required for photosynthesis, affecting the rate at which plants grow.
• What is the relationship between temperature and photosynthesis?

  Temperature affects the rate of photosynthesis.
• Why do plants and animals need moisture levels?

  Both plants and animals need water to survive.
• How does soil pH affect a community?

  Soil pH affects the rate of decay and how fast mineral ions return to the soil.
• How do different species of plants thrive in varying nutrient concentrations?

  Different species of plants thrive in different nutrient concentration levels.
• What effect does wind intensity have on plants?

  Wind affects the rate of transpiration in plants.
• How does transpiration affect plants?

  Transpiration affects the temperature of the plant and the rate of photosynthesis.
• How do carbon dioxide levels affect plants?

  CO₂ affects the rate of photosynthesis in plants.
• How do oxygen levels vary for aquatic animals?

  Oxygen levels in water vary greatly, unlike oxygen levels in air.
• What do most fish need to survive regarding oxygen levels?

  Most fish need a high concentration of oxygen to survive.
• What is a biotic factor?


  A biotic factor is a living factor.
• How does food availability affect a community?


  More food means organisms can breed more successfully, increasing the population.
• What impact do new predators have on a community?


  New predators can affect the population dynamics of existing species.
• How do new pathogens affect a community?

  New pathogens can wipe out populations quickly as they have no resistance.
• How does competition affect species in a community?

  If one species is better adapted, it will outcompete the lesser adapted species.
• What are structural adaptations?

  Structural adaptations are the shape or color of a part of an organism.
• Give an example of a structural adaptation.


  Sharp teeth of a carnivore to tear meat apart.
• What is camouflage in terms of adaptation?

  Camouflage helps organisms avoid detection by predators.
• How do species in cold environments adapt?


  Species in cold environments may have a thick layer of fat for insulation.
• What are behavioral adaptations?


  Behavioral adaptations are the way an organism behaves.
• Give an example of a behavioral adaptation.


  Individuals may play dead to avoid predators.
• What is a functional adaptation?

  Functional adaptations are involved in processes such as reproduction and metabolism.