π Topic Summary
Biodiversity refers to the variety of life on Earth, including the different species of plants, animals, fungi, and even microorganisms, and their ecosystems. Ecosystem stability is the ability of an ecosystem to maintain its structure and function over time, even when faced with disturbances like changes in climate, introduction of invasive species, or natural disasters. A diverse ecosystem is generally more stable because it has a wider range of species that can perform different functions, providing resilience against environmental changes. Understanding this relationship is crucial for conservation efforts and ensuring the health of our planet.
π± Part A: Vocabulary
Match the terms with their definitions:
- Term: Biodiversity
- Term: Ecosystem Stability
- Term: Invasive Species
- Term: Keystone Species
- Term: Habitat Fragmentation
- Definition: The breaking up of continuous habitat into smaller, isolated patches.
- Definition: The variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem.
- Definition: Species that have a disproportionately large effect on their environment relative to their abundance.
- Definition: The ability of an ecosystem to resist changes and recover quickly from disturbances.
- Definition: An organism that is not native to a specific location and has a tendency to spread, which is believed to cause damage to the environment, human economy or human health.
Match the terms to the correct definitions.
π Part B: Fill in the Blanks
Complete the following paragraph using the words provided (resilience, interactions, biodiversity, ecosystem services, stability).
The health of an ecosystem depends on its __________, which refers to the variety of life within it. High biodiversity often leads to greater __________, meaning the ecosystem can better withstand disturbances and recover from them. All the species in an ecosystem have unique __________ which determine the food webs and biogeochemical cycles in it. Healthy ecosystems provide valuable __________, such as clean water, pollination, and climate regulation, all of which contribute to environmental __________.
π€ Part C: Critical Thinking
Explain how a decrease in biodiversity could impact the stability of an ecosystem and provide an example of a real-world scenario where this has occurred.