How ecosystems evolve Flashcards
1
Q
succession
A
the process by which the communities of organisms colonising an area change over time
2
Q
colonisation
A
the process by which a new species spread to new areas
3
Q
opportunists/pioneer species
A
species which are the first to colonise new or disturbed ecosystems
4
Q
climax community
A
a self-sustaining community with relatively constant biodiversity and species range. It is the most productive group of organisms that a given environment can support long term
5
Q
climactic climax community
A
the only climax community possible in a given climate
6
Q
plagioclimax
A
a climax community that is at least in part the result of human intervention
