AP Biology Questions on Factors Affecting Biodiversity

📚 Quick Study Guide

• 🌍 Biodiversity Definition: The variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem.
• ☀️ Climate: Temperature, rainfall, and sunlight significantly influence species distribution and abundance. High biodiversity is often found in areas with stable and favorable climates.
• 🏞️ Habitat Diversity: A variety of habitats (forests, grasslands, wetlands) supports a wider range of species.
• 🌱 Keystone Species: Species that have a disproportionately large impact on their environment relative to their abundance. Their presence or absence drastically alters ecosystem structure and function.
• ⚠️ Human Impact: Habitat destruction, pollution, climate change, and invasive species are major threats to biodiversity.
• 🔥 Disturbance: Moderate levels of disturbance (e.g., fire, floods) can increase biodiversity by creating a mosaic of habitats, whereas high levels often reduce it.
• 🧪 Nutrient Availability: The amount of essential nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus) can greatly affect the types and numbers of species that can survive in an ecosystem.

Practice Quiz

1. Which of the following is NOT a major factor affecting biodiversity?
   1. Climate
   2. Habitat Diversity
   3. Lunar Cycle
   4. Human Impact
2. A species that has a disproportionately large impact on its environment relative to its abundance is known as a:
   1. Dominant Species
   2. Keystone Species
   3. Indicator Species
   4. Endemic Species
3. How does habitat destruction affect biodiversity?
   1. It increases biodiversity by creating new niches.
   2. It has no effect on biodiversity.
   3. It reduces biodiversity by eliminating habitats.
   4. It only affects the abundance of insects.
4. Which of the following climate conditions generally supports higher biodiversity?
   1. Extreme temperature fluctuations
   2. Stable and favorable temperature and rainfall
   3. Very low rainfall
   4. Consistent freezing temperatures
5. What is the role of moderate disturbance in maintaining biodiversity?
   1. It always decreases biodiversity.
   2. It can increase biodiversity by creating a mosaic of habitats.
   3. It has no effect on biodiversity.
   4. It only affects plant species.
6. How can invasive species impact biodiversity?
   1. They always increase biodiversity.
   2. They compete with native species, reducing biodiversity.
   3. They have no impact on native ecosystems.
   4. They only affect the abundance of insects.
7. Which of the following directly contributes to a decrease in biodiversity?
   1. Reforestation efforts
   2. Reduced pollution levels
   3. Increased habitat fragmentation
   4. Conservation initiatives