Ecology Flashcards
The R value is
The amount of types of species in the community
The N value is
total number of individuals in all species.
What is Primary Succession?
The first colonization of an ecosystem over time
What is secondary succession?
Succession after an ecological devastation event or human intervention
What is a pioneer species?
The first species that colonizes an area
What are seral stages of a succession?
The in-between stages where a community is developing
What is a climax community?
The final stage of a community development with established organisms.
How do plants and seeds get into a barren community?
Wind dispersion, bird droppings, etc
Why do taller plants have a leg up when it comes to growth?
They are closer to the sun, so they absorb more sunlight, and are generally larger with bigger roots
Will climax communities always be forests?
No, depending on the environment, the climax community can take different forms. (diff biomes, deserts, plains, etc)
What is an example of secondary succession?
Forest fire burns down forest, forest regrows on the same soil
What is an example of primary succession?
Volcanic rock creates a blank slate for organisms to colonize
What is so important about genetic diversity?
Species can recover from setbacks easier, with lots of different traits. They can also adapt to changing environments better
