Ecological Succession Flashcards
How do terrestrial ecosystems experience succession?
Ecological Succession
The predictable replacement of one group of species by another group of species over time.
Primary Succession
Ecological succession occuring on surfaces with bare rock and no soil.
Pioneer Species
In primary succession, species that can survive with little or no soil.
Secondary Succession
The succession of plant life that occurs in areas that have been disturbed but have not lost their soil.
Climax Community
Historically described as the final stage of succession.
How does succession impact species richness, biomass, and productivity?
Succession initially increases species richness, total biomass, and productivity.
Keystone Species
A species that is not very abundant but has large effects on an ecological community.
Keystone species alter species composition while indicator species indicate ecosystem characteristics.
What is the importance of keystone species and indicator species?
Keystone species alter species composition while indicator species indicate ecosystem characteristics.
Endemic Species
Species that live in a very small area of the world and nowhere else, often in isolated locations such as the Hawaiian Islands.
Biodiversity Hotspots
Isolated areas that are home to so many endemic species, that they contain a high proportion of all species found on Earth.
