Chapter 16 Intro to Ecology Flashcards
What is ecology?
the study of the interaction of living organisms with one another and with their physical environment
What is a habitat?
where an organisms lives
What is a community?
many different organisms living together in a habitat
What does an ecosystem consist of?
a community and the physical aspects of its habitat
What are abiotic factors?
nonliving
What are biotic factors?
living
What is biodiversity?
the # of living species in an ecosystem
More biodiversity means what?
more stability in a community
How is a habitat created?
when a volcano forms a new island or a glacier recedes and exposes bare rock
If a glacier recedes and exposes bare rock what happens?
a new habitat is formed
What is a pioneer species?
the new first organism to live in a new habitat
Name two pioneer species.
lichen and mosses
The new first organism to live in a new habitat is called what?
a pioneer species
Define succession.
the regular progression of species replacement in an area
Give an example of succession.
Lichen to Grasses/shrubs to Trees
Define primary succession.
succession where no previous plants have ever grown
Define secondary succession.
succession in an area that was cleared by a fire or forest clearing
What are producers?
autotrophs that capture solar energy from the sun
What is gross primary productivity?
the rate at which producers in an ecosystem capture energy
What is biomass?
the organic material producers make
How do producers add biomass to an ecosystem?
by making organic molecules
What is net primary productivity?
this is the rate at which biomass accumulates in an ecosystem
Name the types of consumers.
herbivores, carnivores, omnivores, and detritivores
Consumers are what?
heterotrophs
