EEB215H1 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: Ecosystem Diversity, Genetic Diversity, Genetic Variation
8 May 2019
School
Department
Course
Professor
Document Summary
2 what is biodiversity: biodiversity must be considered on three levels, (1) species diversity: entire range of evolutionary and ecological adaptations of species to particular environments. Provides resources and resource alternatives: (2) genetic diversity: variations within species (even if geographically separated) Necessary to maintain reproductive viability, resistance to disease, ability to adapt to changing conditions: (3) ecosystem diversity: different biological communities and their associations. Results from collective response of species to different environmental conditions. Species diversity: origin and evolution of species is an extremely long process. What is a species: commonly used methods to distinguish species (don"t always give same results, (1) morphological species: group of individuals that appear different from others. Morphospecies distinguished exclusively by visible traits. Most commonly used by taxonomists: biologists who specialize in the identification of unknown specimens and the classification of species, (2) biological species: group of individuals that can breed among themselves. Widely accepted, but problematic for groups which hybridize (interbreed)
