AP Biology · Unit 8: Ecology
8.6 Biodiversity
In short
This topic focuses on the relationship between the diversity of an ecosystem and its resilience to environmental changes. You must understand that ecosystems with fewer components and lower diversity are generally less resilient. The scope specifically requires knowledge of how keystone species, producers, and essential abiotic and biotic factors maintain ecosystem diversity.
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What else do you need to know about Biodiversity?
Furthermore, you must be able to explain the short-term and long-term structural impacts of adding or removing ecosystem components, with a particular emphasis on the disproportionate effects of keystone species and the likelihood of ecosystem collapse upon their removal.
Can you do these?
- I can describe the relationship between the diversity of an ecosystem and its resilience to environmental changes.
- I can explain why natural and artificial ecosystems with fewer components and less diversity are less resilient.
- I can identify the roles of keystone species, producers, and essential abiotic and biotic factors in maintaining ecosystem diversity.
- I can explain how adding or removing a component affects an ecosystem's short-term and long-term structure.
- I can describe the disproportionate impact of keystone species and predict the likelihood of ecosystem collapse if they are removed.
How is Biodiversity tested on the exam?
You are assessed on your ability to 'describe' relationships and 'explain' the effects of changing ecosystem components. The suggested skill for this topic is Argumentation (6.E), meaning you should be prepared to predict the causes or effects of a change in, or disruption to, one or more components in a biological system. Exam questions may ask you to predict what will happen to organisms or the overall ecosystem structure when biodiversity changes or when specific biotic/abiotic factors (like a keystone species) are removed.
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Biodiversity: common questions
What do you need to know about Biodiversity for AP Biology?
This topic focuses on the relationship between the diversity of an ecosystem and its resilience to environmental changes. You must understand that ecosystems with fewer components and lower diversity are generally less resilient. The scope specifically requires knowledge of how keystone species, producers, and essential abiotic and biotic factors maintain ecosystem diversity.
How is Biodiversity tested on the AP Biology exam?
You are assessed on your ability to 'describe' relationships and 'explain' the effects of changing ecosystem components. The suggested skill for this topic is Argumentation (6.E), meaning you should be prepared to predict the causes or effects of a change in, or disruption to, one or more components in a biological system.
How do I know I have mastered Biodiversity?
Check you can do each of these: describe the relationship between the diversity of an ecosystem and its resilience to environmental changes; explain why natural and artificial ecosystems with fewer components and less diversity are less resilient; identify the roles of keystone species, producers, and essential abiotic and biotic factors in maintaining ecosystem diversity; explain how adding or removing a component affects an ecosystem's short-term and long-term structure; describe the disproportionate impact of keystone species and predict the likelihood of ecosystem collapse if they are removed.
Where does Biodiversity fit in AP Biology?
Biodiversity is topic 8.6 in Unit 8: Ecology of AP Biology.
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