Ecological Succession Flashcards
Ecology
the study of how organisms interact with their environment
Biome
large geographic areas with similar climates & ecosystems
Ecosystem
a system consisting of all of the interactions that occur between the abiotic & biotic factors within an environment
climate
the long term average temperature & 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
series of changes that occur in an area where NO ecosystem previously existed
Secondary succession
series of changes that occur after a disturbance in an existing ecosystem
Pioneer species
organisms that do not need soil to survive; they start the soil building process (lichen & 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 & 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 & reproducing in a particular environment
Habitat
a place where an organism naturally lives & grows
Microhabitat
a very small specialized habitat, such as the space under a rock
