Island Biogeography and Species Selection

This page explores island biogeography and r/K-selected species, key concepts in APES unit 2 biodiversity.

Island biogeography examines species distribution on islands:

• Many island species are specialists due to limited resources
• Invasive generalist species often outcompete native specialists when introduced

The text then explains r- and K-selected species:

Definition: K-selected species are typically large, produce few offspring, have long lifespans, and thrive in stable environments. Examples include elephants.

Definition: r-selected species are usually small, produce many offspring, mature early, have short lifespans, and often live in unstable environments. Examples include dandelions and jellyfish.

Vocabulary: Biotic potential refers to the maximum reproductive rate of a population under ideal conditions.

The page concludes by discussing ecological tolerance:

Definition: Ecological tolerance refers to the range of environmental conditions $e.g., temperature, salinity$ that a species can withstand.

Understanding these concepts is crucial for mastering the types of species in apes unit 2 review.

Ecosystem Services and Ecological Succession

This section covers ecosystem services and ecological succession, key topics in ecosystem services and ecological succession apes.

Ecosystem services are categorized into four types:

1. Provisioning $e.g., food, water, wood$
2. Supporting $e.g., nutrient cycling, soil formation$
3. Cultural $e.g., educational, recreational$
4. Regulating $e.g., climate regulation, water purification$

Highlight: Ecosystem services are vital for human well-being and economic stability.

The text then discusses natural disruptions to ecosystems, including fires, floods, and climate change.

Ecological succession is a central concept:

Definition: Ecological succession is the gradual change in species diversity, usually occurring after a disturbance.

Two types of succession are described:

1. Primary succession: Occurs in areas without existing soil, such as newly formed volcanic islands.
2. Secondary succession: Takes place in areas with existing soil, such as abandoned farmland.

Example: In primary succession, mosses and lichens are often pioneer species that break down rock to form soil.

The page also introduces key ecological roles:

Vocabulary:

• Keystone species play a significant role in community structure
• Indicator species signal certain qualities of an ecosystem
• Pioneer species are the first to colonize a disturbed area

Understanding these concepts is essential for mastering ecosystem services and ecological succession apes worksheet materials.

Unit 2 Extras: Key Concepts and Vocabulary

This page provides additional information and definitions for important concepts in APES unit 2 review PDF.

The text includes a diagram illustrating the impact of keystone species on ecosystem biodiversity.

Highlight: Keystone species, such as wolves, can significantly influence the structure and function of an entire ecosystem.

Key vocabulary terms are defined:

Vocabulary:

• Species evenness: The distribution of abundance across species in an area
• Founder effect: Reduced genetic diversity in a new population established by a small number of individuals
• Population bottleneck: A sharp reduction in population size, often leading to decreased genetic diversity

The page also elaborates on ecosystem services:

1. Provisioning services: Products obtained from ecosystems $e.g., organic products, medicine$
2. Supporting services: Necessary for the production of all other services $e.g., carbon cycle, photosynthesis$
3. Regulating services: Benefits from the regulation of ecosystem processes $e.g., pollination, disease control$
4. Cultural services: Non-material benefits obtained from ecosystems $e.g., aesthetics, tourism$

Example: Anthropogenic disturbances like deforestation can disrupt supporting services such as photosynthesis, limiting oxygen production.

This information is crucial for understanding ecosystem services APES and preparing for APES unit 2 FRQ questions.

Unit 2 Extras: Anthropogenic Disruptions

This final page focuses on anthropogenic disruptions to ecosystems, a critical topic in biodiversity and genetic diversity in apes unit 2 pdf.

The text examines the ecological and economic consequences of human activities:

1. Extraction, transport, and use of fossil fuels: Ecological consequences: Air and water pollution, decreased biodiversity Economic consequences: Increased respiratory illnesses, expensive cleanup efforts
2. Air and water pollution: Ecological consequences: Decreased biodiversity, reduced availability of freshwater Economic consequences: Increased healthcare costs due to respiratory illnesses and cancer

Highlight: Anthropogenic disruptions often have both immediate and long-term impacts on ecosystems and human societies.

Example: Oil spills from fossil fuel transport can devastate marine ecosystems and require costly cleanup efforts.

Understanding these human-induced disruptions is essential for addressing environmental challenges and is a key component of the APES unit 2 review PDF.

Introduction to Biodiversity

This section provides an overview of biodiversity concepts and species classifications in ecosystems.

Biodiversity encompasses genetic, species, and habitat diversity within ecosystems. Greater genetic diversity allows populations to better respond to environmental stressors. The loss of habitat can lead to declines in specialist species adapted to specific conditions.

Definition: Species richness refers to the number of different species present in an ecosystem.

The text contrasts specialist and generalist species:

Highlight: Specialist species have narrow niches and are less adaptable, while generalist species have broad niches and are more adaptable to changing conditions.

Examples of specialists include koalas and pandas, while raccoons exemplify generalists.

Example: Koalas are specialists adapted to eating eucalyptus leaves, while raccoons are generalists that can thrive in diverse habitats and eat a variety of foods.

This foundational knowledge is crucial for understanding biodiversity and genetic diversity in apes unit 2.