Community Competition & Development

Question 1

What is species richness? (R)

Answer 1

The amount of unique species in an area.

Question 2

What is the formula for species evenness? (E)

Answer 2

H/In(N)=E

Question 3

What’s the formula for the Shannon-Wiener index? (H)

Answer 3

Pi In[Pi]

Question 4

Define Ecological Succession

Answer 4

The process by which the mix of species and habitat in an area changes over time.

Question 5

Define Primary Succession

Answer 5

A type of ecological succession (the evolution of a biological community’s ecological structure) in which plants and animals first colonize a barren, lifeless habitat.

Question 6

Define Secondary Succession

Answer 6

A type of ecological succession (the evolution of a biological community’s ecological structure) in which plants and animals recolonize a habitat after a major disturbance—such as a devastating flood, wildfire, landslide, lava flow, or human activity.

Question 7

Define Pioneer Species

Answer 7

Species that are the first to colonize newly created environments or recently disturbed environments during the processes of primary succession and secondary succession.

Question 8

Define Seral Stages

Answer 8

A stage of secondary successional development.

Question 9

Define Climax Community

Answer 9

It is a historic term for a community of plants, animals, and fungi which, through the process of ecological succession in the development of vegetation in an area over time, have reached a steady state.

Question 10

Define Keystone Species

Answer 10

Strongly interacting species that have a large impact on their ecosystems relative to their abundance.