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 of the environment
Climate
The long term average temperatures &rainfall that occur in a particular system
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 survive, or the end product of succession
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 and 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
