What is evolution?
Change in living things
* over many generations
* property of populations
* due to changes in DNA
What is ecology?
Study of ineractions between living things and their environment
What are the two subcategories of environments?
Biotic (living)
Abiotic (non-living)
What is an ecosystem composed of?
All the living organisms and their abiotic environment
In a defined location
What is a community composed of?
All the living organisms
In a defined location
What is a population composed of?
All the interbreeding members of one species
In a defined location
What is biodiversity?
The biological wealth
How can biological wealth be measured?
- The number of different species
- The genetic diversity of each species
- The number of different ecosystems
What is meant by ecosystem services?
The processes by which the other living species with which we share the planet contribute to sustaining human life.
What are three major types of ecosystems services?
- Environmental stability (keeps the environment healthy and liveable for humans)
- Direct use as ressources
- Genetic ressources
