Ecology Lab 2 Flashcards
Habitat
the location an organism inhabits. Its study usually involves a description of the biotic and abiotic structure of the environment
Growth form
the physical structure of an organism; e.g. tree, shrub, vine, herb
Life History
refers to the reproduction, growth, longevity, and seasonal or age-specific behavior of organisms
Annual
Plant lives less than one year, and tends to put most of its resources into seed production
Winter annual
an annual which germinates in the late fall, grows during warm spells in the winter and early spring, blooms in the early spring, sets seed, and then dies
Summer annual
an annual that germinates in the spring or summer, and blooms in or before fall. Many agricultural weeds fall into this category.
Seed Bank
All viable seed that remain in the soil. Many annual species have a long-lived seed bank.
Biennial
the plant that lives two years; a seed germinates, the plant devotes its first year to vegetative growth, the second year to reproduction; it then dies.
Perennial
the plant lives more than two years. Some perennials reproduce all at once and then die, while others spread their reproduction, it then dies
Ruderal
refers to a plant, usually an annual or biennial, which requires disturbed soil. Ruderals are often informally referred to as weeds.
Deciduous
leaves fall off at the end of the growing season (in Texas, the growing season is the warm period of the year- in many tropical regions, the growing season corresponds with the rainy season)
Evergreen
leaves are retained throughout the year and may last several years. For many evergreen species (especially conifers), leaves are needles or scales
Herb
A plant with no woody stem above the ground
Graminoid
an herb that is or resembles a grass; includes grasses, sedges, and rushes
Forb
a non-graminoid herb; includes most wildflowers. Although some consider forms to be weeds, they are very important in grasslands and forests.
Shrub
A woody perennial, smaller than a tree, usually without a dominant trunk
tree
perennial woody plant with an evident trunk
vine
a plant that climbs on other plants by means of tendrils or other structures
Liana
a perennial and woody vine
self-pollination
pollen is transferred from anther to stigma of the same flower (or less commonly, another flower on the same plants), often by direct contact
apomixis
seed is produced without pollination (similar to parthenogenesis in animals)
outcrossing
pollination with pollen from a different individual (and therefore with a different genotype) of the same species
animal pollination
animals transfer pollen; flowers are often “showy” (brightly colored, scented, etc.). Plants usually provide rewards for the animal such as nectar or extra pollen.
Wind Pollination
wind transfers pollen; flowers are often “reduced” (lacking showy parts such as petals or sepals)