APES Unit 2 Vocabulary

the natural home or environment of an animal, plant, or other organism.

Species with a narrow ecological niche. They may be able to live in only one type of habitat, tolerate only a narrow range of climatic and other environmental conditions, or use only one type or a few types of food.

A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.

the number of different species in a community

the relative proportion of different species in a given area

is a biogeographic region with a significant reservoir of biodiversity that is under threat from humans

The process by which natural environments provide life-supporting resources

products obtained from ecosystems

benefits obtained from the regulating of ecosystems (flood prevention, water filtration, erosion control)

Non-material benefits obtained from ecosystems, intrinsic value

ecosystem services necessary for all other ecosystem services

Human-induced changes on the natural environment

demonstrates the dual importance of habitat size and distance in determining species richness

Species with a broad ecological niche. They can live in many different places, eat a variety of foods, and tolerate a wide range of environmental conditions. Examples are flies, cockroaches, mice, rats, and human beings. Compare specialist species.

A species, often introduced by humans, that takes hold outside its native range.