Biodiversity, Evolution, Conservation

Species, habitat, genetic

The variety of life existing in a certain area

of species / organisms per unit area found in different habitats of the planet

Indicates how many different species exist -high values of “D” are more biodiverse, stable -low values could suggest pollution, colonization, agricultural management D = nk (nk-1) / N (N-1)

of species per sample

A measure of "eveness" of different species making up the richness of an area # of individual species / total individuals present

Range of different habitats per unit in an ecosystem or biome

Total # of genetic characteristics of a specific species within a population -larger population = greater genetic diversity

Species found in only one specific area of the world

Survival of the fittest

Measure of reproductive success

• all individuals are variable in fitness • population size remains stable over long periods • resources are limited (more competition) • traits are heritable • individuals best adapted to environment will survive and pass on their genes

Studied different Finch species on Galapagos Islands Theories of natural selection & variation

Evolution occurs randomly in an individual (good, bad, neutral) and changes the gene pool. Unfavorable genes will die out, leaving only “good” genes in pool EX: peppered moth- as buildings got darker from soot, darker moths survived

Seperation of populations Types: -temporal (temperature/season) -behavioral -reproductive -geographical -habitat

Movement of the Earth to create valleys, mountains, new land masses

Any change or random error in a DNA sequece (the hereditary material of a cell) Mutations in sex cells are passed to offspring (if unicellular all are passed) Traits aquired without change in DNA are not passed

• fish • amphibians • reptiles • birds • mammals

• nature’s insurance policy against change • source of all natural capital for human use • way chemical materials are cycled & purified • end result of millions of years of evolution & irreplaceable

• diverse ecosystems = more stable / healthy • more resistant to climate change & spread of diseases • provides important ecological services • used for recreation, foods, goods, medicine

When there are no more individuals of a species still alive anywhere in the world -99% of all species that were on the earth no longer exist

Species at risk of extinction because there are so few left they might soon be wiped out altogether

• 2nd most devastating in earth’s history • affected marine species • probably from glaciation

-largest extinction -95% of all marine species lost Possible causes: -Pangea continents merging -global warming from volcanic eruptions glaciation