BEC Flashcards
What is a zonal site?
Site that best reflects the regional climate and is least influenced by topography.
Tends to be mid slope on gentle to moderate slopes with free drainage
What is a biogeoclimatic unit?
Area of relatively uniform climate. The extent of the area is inferred from the distribution of climax and late seral communities on zonal sites
What is a subzone?
indicated by the precipitation and the temperature. A subzone can be identified by characteristic plant communities occurring on zonal sites.
What is a variant?
Area that is slightly wetter, drier, warmer, colder with in a subzone.
Usually classified by elevation. (Montane, submontane etc.)
what is a zone?
Large geographic area with a broadly homogenous macroclimate.
Whats an ecosystem?
Living organisms and non living environmental components that interact as a system
What is an ecological niche
The relational position of a species or population in an ecosystem
What is a climax species?
Also called a late seral species. If left undisturbed, the climax species will remain unchanged in terms of species composition
Usually the most shade tolerant tree to establish in the process of forest succession
Explain succession?
observed process in change of species structure over time. If left undisturbed will eventually develop into a climax community where the climax species regenerates in the understory.
