Honor Bio 3.2

Question 1

What is ecological succession?

Answer 1

The process of change in the species structure of an ecological community over time.

Question 2

What is primary succession?

Answer 2

The type of ecological succession that occurs in an area where no soil exists, such as after a volcanic eruption.

Question 3

What is secondary succession?

Answer 3

The type of ecological succession that occurs in an area where a disturbance has destroyed an existing community but soil remains, such as after a forest fire.

Question 4

What are pioneer species?

Answer 4

The first species to colonize previously disrupted or destroyed ecosystems, initiating ecological succession.

Question 5

What are seral stages?

Answer 5

The intermediate stages that occur during ecological succession.

Question 6

What is a climax community?

Answer 6

A stable and mature community that undergoes little change in species composition.

Question 7

What is species richness?

Answer 7

The number of different species present in a community.

Question 8

What is species evenness?

Answer 8

The relative abundance of each species in a community.

Question 9

What is genetic diversity?

Answer 9

The total number of genetic characteristics in the genetic make-up of a species.

Question 10

What is ecological diversity?

Answer 10

The variety of ecosystems within a region.

Question 11

What is a keystone species?

Answer 11

A species that has a disproportionately large effect on its environment relative to its abundance.

Question 12

What is an invasive species?

Answer 12

A non-native species that spreads widely and causes harm to native species or ecosystems.

Question 13

What are the important differences between primary and secondary succession?

Answer 13

Primary succession occurs in lifeless areas without soil, while secondary succession occurs in areas where a disturbance has happened but soil remains.

Question 14

How do keystone species and invasive species affect biodiversity?

Answer 14

Keystone species maintain the structure of their ecological community, while invasive species can out compete native species, reducing biodiversity.

Question 15

Calculate the Shannon-Wiener Index (H) for a community with the following species:

Species A: 10 individuals
Species B: 20 individuals
Species C: 30 individuals

Answer 15

1.0115

Question 16

Compare and contrast the biodiversity of two communities based on their species richness (R) values.

Community X: R = 15
Community Y: R = 10
What do these values indicate?

Answer 16

Community X has a higher species richness (R = 15) compared to Community Y (R = 10), indicating that Community X has a greater variety of different species.

Question 17

Compare and contrast the biodiversity of two communities based on their species evenness (E) values.

Community A: E = 0.8
Community B: E = 0.6
What do these values indicate about the communities?

Answer 17

Community A has a higher species evenness (E = 0.8) compared to Community B (E = 0.6). This suggests that Community A has a more balanced distribution of individuals among the different species, meaning no single species is dominating the community.

Question 18

Compare the Shannon-Wiener Index (H) values of two communities:

Community 1: H = 2.5
Community 2: H = 1.8
What do these values tell you about the biodiversity of the two communities?

Question 19

Give an example of primary succession.

Answer 19

The formation of a new forest after a lava flow cools and solidifies into rock.

Question 20

Give an example of secondary succession.

Answer 20

The regrowth of a grassland after a fire.