L1 intro Flashcards
what is physiognomy
the physical structure of the vegetation, how many layers etc
what is phytogeography
how plants are distributed across the world
how can peat be used in paleoecology
peat forms slowly so shows how composition of plants has changed over time
reference for “vegetation is an intergral part of the ecosystem”
Tansley, 1935
individual plants together form a…
species population
how can we detect different plant composition from a distance
colour variations in the landscape
define a plant community
the collection of plant species growing together in a particular location that show a definitie association or affinity with eachother
why do certain species grow together
similar requirements for environmental factors:
light, temperature, water, drainage, soil nutrientsm ability to tolerate activities of humans / animals
explain the normal distribution in terms of a plant species against an environmental factor (3 parts)
optimum range = area of greatest abundance and largest population, due to optimal conditions
lower limit of tolerance either side of peak = zone of physiological stress, low population
zone of intolerence outside the curve = species absent
width and height of a normal distribution curve varies between species
is this true or false and why
true - varies between species according to their tolerance range
what is an ectone
the area where one habitat degrades into another
what effect do humans have on natural vegetation
extensively modified
natural and semi-natural vegetation remains but has sharpened boundaries
name some components if life history that can vary between species
reproductive mechanisms,
growth form and rate,
timing of germinaition, flowering and fruiting,
reproduction,
death
give an example of a difference in the time and amount of seed production
mustard seeds produce hundreds of seeds every year vs oak won’t produce an acorn until it is at least 40 years old
what is phenology
the timing of plant life cycle events such as flowering
