#11 Plant Community Flashcards

1
Q

What is a “community” and what type of concept is it?

A

A group of species that occupy a given area
- it is a spatial concept
- a similarity among members of the community

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is an association?

A

a type of community with relatively consistent species composition and a uniform appearance.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Terrestrial vertical structure is determined by the ______?

A

life form of plants (size, branching, and leaves) which are influenced by the vertical gradient of light

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

what are the four layers of the terrestrial vertical structure

A

The upper layer (canopy) is the primary site of energy fixation
- the understory (under the canopy) will only form if enough sunlight can reach the lower layers
- the herb layer depends on various abiotic conditions (moisture) and density of the canopy and understory
- the forest floor is where decomposition takes place

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

the distribution of plants and animals into specific zones or regions, each characterized by its dominant species is referred to as?

A

zonation: influenced by altitude, depth, termperature, and salinity

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Define Species Richness (S)

A

The number of species occuring within the community

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Define Relative Abundance

A

The percentage of species contributing to the total number of individuals of all species (the number of species 1 species/total population

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is Species Evenness?

A

Indicates the distribution of species richness. Greater species evenness would have a more gradual slope of the rank-abundance curve

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

When a single, or few species predominate within a community, these species are reffered to as? How would these species fair under prevailing environmental conditions?

A

Dominants - can reflect the number or size, or both of individuals. Dominant species are typically the dominant competitors under prevailing environmental conditions.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Define Succession

A

the gradual and directional change in community structure over time
- think of the wolf-sheep lab experiment

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

The sequence of communities from grass to shrub is called a _____?

A
  • sere
  • The series of successional stages on a given site that lead to a terminal community.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Patterns of succession are random (true or false)

A

False - specific traits and environmental conditions demonstrate success.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Pioneer Species are also referred to as ______? They are characterized by?

A

Early successional species.
- high growth rates
- smaller seed size and high degree of dispersal
- high rates of population growth

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Characteristics of late successional species

A
  • low rate of dispersal
  • slower per capita growth rate
  • larger species and seeds, live longer than pioneer species
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Primary Succession vs Secondary Succession

A

Primary occurs on a site previously unoccupied by a community
Secondary occurs on a previously vegetated site after disturbance

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

How do shade intolerant species change throughout succession

A
  • early stages of succession, shade-intolerant species dominate and grow above the slower-growing, shade tolerant species. Eventually the shade-intolerant species cannot grow fur and survive in the shaded conditions.
17
Q

Define Climax Community, its the product of a _______?

A

The stable, high diversity, end community of succession; the product of a dynamic equillibrium