Ecological Succession Flashcards
Ecology
The study of how orgainsms interact with their environment
Biome
Large geographic areas with similar climates and ecosystems
Ecosystem
A system consisting of all of the interactions that occur in a particular region
Climate
The long term average temperature and rainfall that occur in a particular region
Ecological Succession
Transition of species present in a community in an area virtually barren of life, or after a disturbance
Primary Succession
A series of changes that occur in an area where NO ecosystem previously existed
Secondary Succession
A series that occur after a disturbance in an existing ecosystem
Pioneer Species
Organisms that don’t need soil to survive; they start the soil building process (lichen and moss)
Climax Community
A relatively stable state of succession, or the end product of succession
Limiting Factor
A factor that limits the ability of a habitat to sustain a population
Biodiversity
The number of different species of plants and animals in an area
Sustainability
Able to last or continue for a long time
Adaptation
An inherited trait that increases an organism’s chance of surviving and reproducing in a particular environment
Habitat
A place where an organism naturally lives and grows
Microhabiat
A very small specialized habitat, such as the space under a rock
