B3 - the geographic template

Question 1

What is the geographic template?

Answer 1

The non-random patterns of spatial variation in environmental conditions (i.e. differences in temperatures from equator to the poles, in salinity from the ocean to rivers etc.)

Question 2

Give an example of an ecosystem engineer, and explain what it means

Answer 2

Beaver - can modify the geographic template.
Building dams –> flooding –> changes habitat

Question 3

What does primary succesion involve?

Answer 3

It involves the formation of soil, the development of vegetation, and the assembly of a complement of mirobial, plant and animal species

Question 4

What does secondary succesion involve?

Answer 4

It is a process of community development on excisting soil, usually after the primary succession has been disturbed in some way (i.e. fire, flood, human disturbance), the area is first recolonized by pioneer species and then over time climax vegetation is reestablished.