AP Biology Flashcards: Biodiversity

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Biodiversity, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for AP Biology.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: What is habitat fragmentation?

Answer: The division of large habitats into smaller, isolated sections. Reduces population size and increases edge effects.

Flashcard 2: What is the role of keystone species in an ecosystem?

Answer: They have a disproportionately large effect on their environment. Their removal causes cascading effects throughout the ecosystem.

Flashcard 3: Identify a major threat to biodiversity.

Answer: Habitat destruction. Primary driver of species loss and ecosystem degradation.

Flashcard 4: What is 'biogeography'?

Answer: The study of the distribution of species and ecosystems in geographic space. Explains patterns of species distribution across Earth.

Flashcard 5: What is the significance of the IUCN Red List?

Answer: It assesses the conservation status of species. Categorizes species from least concern to critically endangered.

Flashcard 6: Identify a consequence of low genetic diversity.

Answer: Increased vulnerability to diseases. Reduces population resilience and adaptive potential.

Flashcard 7: Define endemism.

Answer: Species being unique to a defined geographic location. Results from geographic isolation and specialized evolution.

Flashcard 8: What is the significance of genetic variation?

Answer: It enhances a population's ability to adapt to changes. Provides raw material for natural selection and evolution.

Flashcard 9: Define abiotic factor.

Answer: A non-living chemical or physical component of an ecosystem. Includes temperature, water, soil, and atmospheric conditions.

Flashcard 10: What is an invasive species?

Answer: A non-native species that adversely affects its new environment. Can outcompete natives and disrupt ecological balance.

Flashcard 11: What is the significance of the IUCN Red List?

Answer: It assesses the conservation status of species. Categorizes species from least concern to critically endangered.

Flashcard 12: What is 'ecological footprint'?

Answer: A measure of human demand on Earth's ecosystems. Compares human resource use to Earth's regenerative capacity.

Flashcard 13: Define genetic diversity.

Answer: The variety of genes within a species. Essential for adaptation and evolutionary potential.

Flashcard 14: Identify a conservation strategy for biodiversity.

Answer: Establishing protected areas. Preserves critical habitats and reduces human interference.

Flashcard 15: What is a biodiversity hotspot?

Answer: A region with significant levels of biodiversity that is under threat. These areas are conservation priorities due to high endemism.

Flashcard 16: Define 'niche partitioning'.

Answer: The process by which competing species use the environment differently. Reduces competition by utilizing different resources or spaces.

Flashcard 17: What is species diversity?

Answer: The variety and abundance of species in a given area. Includes both the number of species and their relative abundance.

Flashcard 18: What is 'species richness'?

Answer: The number of different species represented in an ecological community. Simple count of species without considering abundance.

Flashcard 19: Explain ecosystem diversity.

Answer: The variety of ecosystems in a given area. Includes different habitat types and their spatial arrangements.

Flashcard 20: Define 'niche partitioning'.

Answer: The process by which competing species use the environment differently. Reduces competition by utilizing different resources or spaces.

Flashcard 21: Define 'biomass'.

Answer: The total mass of organisms in a given area or volume. Indicates ecosystem productivity and energy storage.

Flashcard 22: Name one effect of climate change on biodiversity.

Answer: Altered species distribution. Temperature changes force species migration or adaptation.

Flashcard 23: Explain the term 'ecological niche'.

Answer: The role and position a species has in its environment. Defines how species utilize resources and interact with environment.

Flashcard 24: Define endemism.

Answer: Species being unique to a defined geographic location. Results from geographic isolation and specialized evolution.

Flashcard 25: Explain the term 'ecological niche'.

Answer: The role and position a species has in its environment. Defines how species utilize resources and interact with environment.

Flashcard 26: What is a biodiversity hotspot?

Answer: A region with significant levels of biodiversity that is under threat. These areas are conservation priorities due to high endemism.

Flashcard 27: What is the significance of a 'keystone species'?

Answer: Their presence or absence has a large impact on ecosystem structure. Their loss causes disproportionate ecosystem changes.

Flashcard 28: What is a biodiversity index?

Answer: A measure of diversity in an ecological community. Quantifies species richness and evenness mathematically.

Flashcard 29: What is 'biogeography'?

Answer: The study of the distribution of species and ecosystems in geographic space. Explains patterns of species distribution across Earth.

Flashcard 30: What is the role of keystone species in an ecosystem?

Answer: They have a disproportionately large effect on their environment. Their removal causes cascading effects throughout the ecosystem.

Flashcard 31: Name a human activity that contributes to habitat loss.

Answer: Deforestation. Removes habitat and fragments remaining natural areas.

Flashcard 32: What is the primary cause of current biodiversity loss?

Answer: Human activities. Anthropogenic impacts exceed natural extinction rates.

Flashcard 33: What is the '10% rule' in ecology?

Answer: Only about 10% of energy is transferred between trophic levels. Most energy is lost as heat during metabolic processes.

Flashcard 34: What is species diversity?

Answer: The variety and abundance of species in a given area. Includes both the number of species and their relative abundance.

Flashcard 35: Identify a major threat to biodiversity.

Answer: Habitat destruction. Primary driver of species loss and ecosystem degradation.

Flashcard 36: What is the significance of genetic variation?

Answer: It enhances a population's ability to adapt to changes. Provides raw material for natural selection and evolution.

Flashcard 37: Name the three levels of biodiversity.

Answer: Genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity. These represent the hierarchical organization of life's variety.

Flashcard 38: What is a secondary consumer?

Answer: An organism that eats primary consumers. Carnivores at the third trophic level.

Flashcard 39: What is a primary consumer?

Answer: An organism that feeds on primary producers. Herbivores that form the second trophic level.

Flashcard 40: What is a primary consumer?

Answer: An organism that feeds on primary producers. Herbivores that form the second trophic level.

Flashcard 41: What is the 'edge effect'?

Answer: Changes in population or community structures at habitat boundaries. Results from different environmental conditions at habitat borders.

Flashcard 42: Define 'trophic cascade'.

Answer: A series of changes in population sizes at different trophic levels. Top predators control lower trophic levels indirectly.

Flashcard 43: What is a 'biotic index'?

Answer: A scale for showing the quality of an environment by indicating the types of organisms present. Uses indicator species to assess environmental health.

Flashcard 44: Identify a conservation strategy for biodiversity.

Answer: Establishing protected areas. Preserves critical habitats and reduces human interference.

Flashcard 45: What is a 'biotic index'?

Answer: A scale for showing the quality of an environment by indicating the types of organisms present. Uses indicator species to assess environmental health.

Flashcard 46: Name the three levels of biodiversity.

Answer: Genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity. These represent the hierarchical organization of life's variety.

Flashcard 47: What is 'species richness'?

Answer: The number of different species represented in an ecological community. Simple count of species without considering abundance.

Flashcard 48: What causes seasonal variation in biodiversity?

Answer: Changes in climate and resource availability. Migration patterns and breeding cycles follow seasonal cues.

Flashcard 49: What is the primary cause of current biodiversity loss?

Answer: Human activities. Anthropogenic impacts exceed natural extinction rates.

Flashcard 50: Define 'trophic cascade'.

Answer: A series of changes in population sizes at different trophic levels. Top predators control lower trophic levels indirectly.

Flashcard 51: Define abiotic factor.

Answer: A non-living chemical or physical component of an ecosystem. Includes temperature, water, soil, and atmospheric conditions.

Flashcard 52: Identify a consequence of low genetic diversity.

Answer: Increased vulnerability to diseases. Reduces population resilience and adaptive potential.

Flashcard 53: What is the role of decomposers in an ecosystem?

Answer: They break down dead material, recycling nutrients. Essential for nutrient cycling and energy flow.

Flashcard 54: Define genetic diversity.

Answer: The variety of genes within a species. Essential for adaptation and evolutionary potential.

Flashcard 55: What is the role of decomposers in an ecosystem?

Answer: They break down dead material, recycling nutrients. Essential for nutrient cycling and energy flow.

Flashcard 56: What is a biotic factor?

Answer: A living component that affects an ecosystem. Includes all organisms and their biological processes.

Flashcard 57: What is biodiversity?

Answer: The variety of life in the world or a particular habitat or ecosystem. Encompasses all living organisms and their interactions.

Flashcard 58: What is biodiversity?

Answer: The variety of life in the world or a particular habitat or ecosystem. Encompasses all living organisms and their interactions.

Flashcard 59: What is the 'species-area relationship'?

Answer: A principle stating that larger areas have more species. Larger habitats support more species due to resource availability.

Flashcard 60: What is a biotic factor?

Answer: A living component that affects an ecosystem. Includes all organisms and their biological processes.

Flashcard 61: What causes seasonal variation in biodiversity?

Answer: Changes in climate and resource availability. Migration patterns and breeding cycles follow seasonal cues.

Flashcard 62: What is the 'species-area relationship'?

Answer: A principle stating that larger areas have more species. Larger habitats support more species due to resource availability.

Flashcard 63: Define 'biomass'.

Answer: The total mass of organisms in a given area or volume. Indicates ecosystem productivity and energy storage.

Flashcard 64: Name a human activity that contributes to habitat loss.

Answer: Deforestation. Removes habitat and fragments remaining natural areas.

Flashcard 65: What is the 'edge effect'?

Answer: Changes in population or community structures at habitat boundaries. Results from different environmental conditions at habitat borders.

Flashcard 66: What is a biodiversity index?

Answer: A measure of diversity in an ecological community. Quantifies species richness and evenness mathematically.

Flashcard 67: What is ecological succession?

Answer: The process of change in the species structure of an ecosystem over time. Can be primary or secondary succession depending on disturbance.

Flashcard 68: What is 'ecological footprint'?

Answer: A measure of human demand on Earth's ecosystems. Compares human resource use to Earth's regenerative capacity.

Flashcard 69: Name one effect of climate change on biodiversity.

Answer: Altered species distribution. Temperature changes force species migration or adaptation.

Flashcard 70: What is the '10% rule' in ecology?

Answer: Only about 10% of energy is transferred between trophic levels. Most energy is lost as heat during metabolic processes.

Flashcard 71: What is habitat fragmentation?

Answer: The division of large habitats into smaller, isolated sections. Reduces population size and increases edge effects.

Flashcard 72: What is an invasive species?

Answer: A non-native species that adversely affects its new environment. Can outcompete natives and disrupt ecological balance.

Flashcard 73: What is the significance of a 'keystone species'?

Answer: Their presence or absence has a large impact on ecosystem structure. Their loss causes disproportionate ecosystem changes.

Flashcard 74: What is a secondary consumer?

Answer: An organism that eats primary consumers. Carnivores at the third trophic level.