Unit 2 The Living World: Biodiversity AP Exam Review
Levels of Biodiversity
1) Define Genetic Diversity.
Variation in DNA within a species; increases adaptability and survival.
2) Define Species Diversity.
Number and variety of species in an ecosystem.
3) Define Ecosystem Diversity.
Variety of ecosystems in a given area.
4) Describe how the picture to the left relates to genetic and species
diversity.
The picture on the left shows how genetic and species diversity can
change over time. At first, there are a lot of different species and
genes, but then a bottleneck happens, reducing the number of
species in the area. After that, genetic diversity might go down
because only certain organisms survive, and species diversity can
drop since some didn’t make it through the event.
Specialist vs Generalist Species
5) Compare a specialist to a generalist species. Give an example of each type of species.
A specialist species has a narrow niche, meaning it can only survive in specific conditions and has a limited diet. Example: Giant
Panda.
A generalist species has a broad niche, meaning it can survive in a variety of environments and has a varied diet. Example: Raccoon.
6) Is a generalist or specialist more likely to survive in a changing environment? Explain.
A generalist species is more likely to survive in a changing environment because it can adapt to different conditions and food sources.
7) Match the following:
a. generalist species c Zebra mussel
b. specialist species f Galapagos tortoise
c. invasive species d American Alligator
d. keystone species e Tiger salamander
e. indicator species a Norway rat
, f. endemic Species b Giant Panda
Species Richness and Relative Abundance
8) Define Species Richness. How is it calculated?
Species richness is the number of different species in an ecosystem. It is calculated by counting the total number of species present.
9) Define Relative abundance. How is it calculated?
Relative abundance is how evenly individuals are distributed among different species. It is calculated by dividing the number of
individuals of a species by the total number of individuals in the ecosystem.
10) What do these two things reveal about an ecosystem? Why?
These measurements reveal the biodiversity of an ecosystem. High biodiversity usually indicates a stable and healthy ecosystem.
Ecosystem Services
11) Fill in the chart below on the different types of ecosystem services
Service Type Define Give a Real World Example
Provisioning Provides resources like food, water, and Fisheries provide seafood.
raw materials.
Regulating Maintains climate, air quality, and disease Trees absorb CO2, reducing climate
control. change.
Cultural Provides recreational, spiritual, and National parks attract tourism.
aesthetic benefits.
Supporting Essential services for ecosystems to Bees pollinate crops.
function.
12) Complete the following table:
Ecosystem Component Ecosystem Services
honey bee supporting, pollination
water cycle regulation, water
forest provisioning, lumber
bat supporting, pest control
bacteria regulating, decomposition
coral reef cultural, tourism
wetland supporting, species protection
Anthropogenic Effects on Ecosystem Services
13) Describe 5 ways that humans have disrupted ecosystem services on earth:
Levels of Biodiversity
1) Define Genetic Diversity.
Variation in DNA within a species; increases adaptability and survival.
2) Define Species Diversity.
Number and variety of species in an ecosystem.
3) Define Ecosystem Diversity.
Variety of ecosystems in a given area.
4) Describe how the picture to the left relates to genetic and species
diversity.
The picture on the left shows how genetic and species diversity can
change over time. At first, there are a lot of different species and
genes, but then a bottleneck happens, reducing the number of
species in the area. After that, genetic diversity might go down
because only certain organisms survive, and species diversity can
drop since some didn’t make it through the event.
Specialist vs Generalist Species
5) Compare a specialist to a generalist species. Give an example of each type of species.
A specialist species has a narrow niche, meaning it can only survive in specific conditions and has a limited diet. Example: Giant
Panda.
A generalist species has a broad niche, meaning it can survive in a variety of environments and has a varied diet. Example: Raccoon.
6) Is a generalist or specialist more likely to survive in a changing environment? Explain.
A generalist species is more likely to survive in a changing environment because it can adapt to different conditions and food sources.
7) Match the following:
a. generalist species c Zebra mussel
b. specialist species f Galapagos tortoise
c. invasive species d American Alligator
d. keystone species e Tiger salamander
e. indicator species a Norway rat
, f. endemic Species b Giant Panda
Species Richness and Relative Abundance
8) Define Species Richness. How is it calculated?
Species richness is the number of different species in an ecosystem. It is calculated by counting the total number of species present.
9) Define Relative abundance. How is it calculated?
Relative abundance is how evenly individuals are distributed among different species. It is calculated by dividing the number of
individuals of a species by the total number of individuals in the ecosystem.
10) What do these two things reveal about an ecosystem? Why?
These measurements reveal the biodiversity of an ecosystem. High biodiversity usually indicates a stable and healthy ecosystem.
Ecosystem Services
11) Fill in the chart below on the different types of ecosystem services
Service Type Define Give a Real World Example
Provisioning Provides resources like food, water, and Fisheries provide seafood.
raw materials.
Regulating Maintains climate, air quality, and disease Trees absorb CO2, reducing climate
control. change.
Cultural Provides recreational, spiritual, and National parks attract tourism.
aesthetic benefits.
Supporting Essential services for ecosystems to Bees pollinate crops.
function.
12) Complete the following table:
Ecosystem Component Ecosystem Services
honey bee supporting, pollination
water cycle regulation, water
forest provisioning, lumber
bat supporting, pest control
bacteria regulating, decomposition
coral reef cultural, tourism
wetland supporting, species protection
Anthropogenic Effects on Ecosystem Services
13) Describe 5 ways that humans have disrupted ecosystem services on earth:
