Chapter 4: Species and Ecosystem Diversity

Chapter 4: Species and Ecosystem Diversity

Protecting Yellowstone’s Diverse Ecosystems

“Thank you but we do not print fiction.”

Central Question

4.1-4.5 Science

species evenness

4.1 Species and ecosystem diversity are key elements of biodiversity

Ecosystem Diversity

CONTRIBUTIONS OF SPECIES RICHNESS AND SPECIES EVENNESS TO SPECIES DIVERSITY

a. LOWEST (ZERO) SPECIES DIVERSITY

b. INTERMEDIATE SPECIES DIVERSITY

c. HIGHEST SPECIES DIVERSITY

Think About It

4.2 Geographic patterns and processes influence biodiversity

The Terrestrial Biomes

The Aquatic Biomes

Latitudinal Diversity Gradients

PORTRAITS OF EARTH’S TERRESTRIAL BIOMES

PORTRAITS OF EARTH’S AQUATIC BIOMES

STREAMS & RIVERS

LAKES & PONDS

OPEN OCEAN

OCEAN FLOOR

CORAL REEFS & KELP FORESTS

MANGROVE FORESTS

SALT MARSHES

FRESHWATER WETLANDS

biodiversity hotspot

Biodiversity Hotspots

Species Richness on Islands: Effects of Area and Isolation

ON DELOS ISLAND, GREECE, SPECIES EXTINCTION AND IMMIGRATION ARE NEARLY EQUAL

Think About It

AREA AND ISOLATION INFLUENCE SPECIES RICHNESS ON ISLANDS

4.3 Some species influence biodiversity much more than others

Keystone Species and Ecosystem Engineers

WOLVES AND RECOVERY OF RIPARIAN TREES IN YELLOWSTONE

BEAVERS ENGINEER STREAM ECOSYSTEMS

Foundation Species

FOUNDATION SPECIES OCCUR IN MOST ECOSYSTEMS

ecosystem engineer

foundation species

Indicator, Umbrella, and Flagship Species

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4.4 Ecological succession affects community composition and diversity

primary succession

secondary succession

Think About It

allopatric (geographic)

4.5 Global species richness results from a balance between speciation and extinction

Allopatric Speciation

ALLOPATRIC SPECIATION: ITS FOUR BASIC STEPS

1 SINGLE INTERBREEDING POPULATION

2 MOUNTAIN BARRIER FORMS

3 DIFFERENTIATION

4 BARRIER PERMEABLE, NO INTERBREEDING

GEOGRAPHIC SEPARATION OF GORILLA SPECIES

Sympatric Speciation

Think About It

sympatric speciation

4.1-4.5 Science: Summary

4.6–4.8 Issues

habitat fragmentation

4.6 Habitat fragmentation reduces biodiversity

Tropical Forest Fragmentation

Edge Effects

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4.7 Valuable services of ecosystems are threatened

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4.8 Many invasive species harm ecosystems

ecosystem services

INVASIVE GRASS SPECIES CHANGES A FIRE REGIME

Invasive Species and Aquatic Ecosystems

Economic Impact of Species Invasion

INVASIVE AQUATIC SPECIES REDUCE ECOLOGICAL SERVICES IN AFRICA

Think About It

4.6–4.8 Issues: Summary

4.9-4.12 Solutions

4.9 The number of protected areas has grown rapidly

Size and Connections in Protected Area Design

Marine Protected Areas

Think About It

CONSERVATION PLANS IN CHINA AIM TO REDUCE HABITAT FRAGMENTATION

4.10 Nongovernmental conservation complements governmental programs

The Nature Conservancy

THE NATURE CONSERVANCY IS ACTIVE IN MORE THAN 30 COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD

Forever Costa Rica

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4.11 Sustaining biodiversity and ecosystem services requires active management

debt-for-nature swap

Sustaining Crucial Species

Controlling Invasive Species

Fire, Succession, and Management

Think About It

4.12 Integrating conservation with local communities can help sustain protected areas

Community Integration Provides Protection

Looking Beyond the Boundaries

Think About It

4.9-4.12 Solutions: Summary

Central Question: How can we protect Earth’s diverse ecosystems?

4.1-4.5 Science

4.6–4.8 Issues

Species and Ecosystem Diversity and You

Learn about conservation opportunities in your region.

☐ Get involved with protected area management.

☐ Join and become active in conservation organizations.

☐ Support wildlife-friendly products.

4.9-4.12 Solutions

Answer the Central Question:

Chapter 4 Review Questions

1. Which represents the highest species diversity?

2. What produced biodiversity hotspots?

3. How does an ecosystem engineer affect ecosystems?

4. What life history characteristics make r-selected species good pioneer species?

5. What is the approximate global value of ecosystem services?

6. Which of the following will likely support the fewest forest interior species?

7. Invasive species can have which of the following impacts?

8. What is the main way that habitat corridors improve the functioning of protected areas?

9. How can ecological succession affect management of protected areas?

10. Which policies will most likely secure a protected area over the long term?

Critical Analysis

Central Question: How can we achieve sustainable human populations?

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