ecology tolerance and succession Flashcards
limiting factors
factors that restrict the numbers or distribution of organisms
plant limiting factors
phosphorous nitrogen water sunlight temperature soil (type,amount,pH,salinity) herbivores
Biome Type Determined by
Temperature & Water
determine plants types
Type of plants sets up food chain & shelter so…..
determines types of animals
temp and water based on
latitude and altitude
Latitude
Farther from equator = colder
Weather patterns based on latitude determine precipitation
Altitude
Higher up = colder
Windward side = lots of rain
Leeward side = rain shadow
windward vs rain shadow
windward lots of grass and water
rain shadow very dry no trees
Biodiversity
# different species of organism more diversity = more stable system
Dominant Species
Species with the most biomass
Greatly affect other species
Keystone Species
removal has major effects
Bottom up model of control
amount of energy at bottom of food chain controls number of consumers
Top down model
number of predators keep the prey in check.
Biodiversity most affected by
Evolutionary History
Evapotranspiration
Latitude
Evolutionary History
older ecosystems = more time for speciation
tropical = older…fewer disturbances (glaciers)
tropical = longer growing season = more time
Evapotranspiration
combined evaporation from measure of rainfall, solar radiation & temp
more evapotrans = more diversity
what is the number one predictor of biodiversity
latitude
Invasive Species
Non-native species invade an ecosystem May have no predators in new ecosystem Represent a dead-end in the food chain Out-compete native organisms decreasing species diversity (exotic species if not bad)
Pioneer
first organisms to move in
New area or
Disturbed area (after fire, plowing)
Climax
last community to move in
community stays same for long time
very little change
highest species diversity
Seres
Successive communities that replace each other in ecological succession
Each new sere outcompetes the previous sere
(competitve exclusion)
facilitation
Each sere changes the environment making it easier for the next sere to move in
Primary Succession
First organisms to live on that piece of ground
volcanic islands
rock slides
a humans dig a lake
Secondary Succession
2nd time a community has grown there
1) after forest fire or flood
2) abandoned farmer’s fields
3) vacant lots
Traits of pioneer species
primary succession
Primary succession
1) very hardy 2) tolerate full sun, drought, little – no soil 3) low species diversity 4) r-selected (tolerate high mortality) 5) poor competitors in less hostile habitat
Traits of pioneer species
Secondary succession
1) weeds – good dispersal fast growth 2) annuals 3) full sun, drought tolerant 4) r –selected 5) poor competitors - oportunistic
Seres of secondary
Weeds- annuals
Perennial grasses & flowers young shrubs
Shrubs & sun loving trees (pines)
Shade loving trees (deciduous)
seedlings that can grow in shade replace
sun-loving trees as older trees die
Very little water
succession ends with desert grasses/shrubs or cacti
Dry seasons, low precipitation
Succ ends with Grass lands/savanna (not enough water for trees
Water available long growing season but cold winter
deciduous trees
Water available but short growing season (cold)
evergreen trees (tiaga or boreal forest)
Water and warm all year –
tropical rain forest
wetlands
Reduce flooding Filter sediment out of water Filter toxins out of water Provide nurseries for fish & shellfish Provide homes for many species High species diversity
Biological Control
Use one organism to control the population of another organism.
Protists: microsporidia to control insects
Fungi:
Bacteria:
Insects:
