Chapter 3.2 Flashcards
Define ecological succession.
Transition in species composition over time
Primary succession
Begins with virtually lifeless area.
Pioneer plants
Lichen, mosses, and bacteria
Seral stages.
When the ecosystem is in the process of growing and developing.
What is a climax community?
When an ecosystem has reached its full potential and is thriving.
Species richness
Number of different species
Species evenness
Abundance/proportion of species
Genetic diversity
Often related to the size of the population.
Ecological diversity
Range of habitat types, variations, within ecosystems. More niches = more species
Define keystone species
Species in an ecosystem that are crucial for survival.
Invasive species
Species that are harmful to the ecosystem.
What is the difference between primary and secondary succession?
Primary succession is the first time an ecosystem goes through succession and is from scratch, Secondary is when a community is disturbed and then goes through succession once again.
How does biodiversity depend on species richness, evenness, and the Shannon - wiener index?
Species richness will increase the diversity, the more even a habitat is the less diverse species it will have, and the Shannon - wiener index is dependent on how rich and even an ecosystem is.
