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ECOL 1001 > Lecture 7: Terrestrial Communities > Flashcards

Lecture 7: Terrestrial Communities Flashcards

1
Q

define succession

A

over time, a species occupying a space will change until it reaches a “climax opportunity’ - sustained longterm until next major disturbance
-involves process of colonization, establishment and extinction which act on the plant species

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2
Q

how can you recognize stages of succession?

A

-recognized by the collection of species that dominate at that point in succession

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3
Q

t or f ; most communities reach a constant climax/ stable equilibrium

A

false; constantly changes as a result of disturbances disturbance = norm

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4
Q

what is the difference between a meadow and prairie

A

meadow: not at climax stage in succession; transitional grasslands
prairie: climax communities

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5
Q

define characteristics of meadow (3)

A
  • highly unstable, constant state of flux, sun exposure key
  • dom by herbaceous plants
  • <50% woody groundcover or <25% trees ; and more community would be considered ‘early pioneer woodland’
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6
Q

what does meadow characteristics assume?

What is plant composition dependent on?

A
  • assumes availability of moderate soils, moisture and sun

- dependent on where it is, soil composition and moisture

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7
Q

what are the 4 stages of meadows

A
  1. early old field meadow
  2. Perennial Herbaceous Meadow
  3. Scrubland
  4. Shrubland
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8
Q

define 3 characteristics all colonizers have

A
  1. can withstand harsh conditions
  2. have rapid root growth
  3. are capable of breaking up compacted soil
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9
Q

t or f; stages of meadows/ ecosystems are discrete

A

false; not discrete, depends on location, local actual conditions

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10
Q

describe stage 1 of meadows

A

1: early old field meadow

- lasts 2-5 years after initial disturbance, characterized by colonizer species

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11
Q

describe stage 2 of meadows

A

2: Perennial herbaceous meadow
- 4-5 years after disturbance, can last 10- 25 yrs wile mat and organic layers build
- by year 3 this stage starts to transfer to perennials

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12
Q

describe plants in meadow stage 2

A

–all plants are more durable, have deeper roots, are longer lived and can withtsand drought

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13
Q

describe stage 3 of meadow

A

3: scrub land
- entrance of pioneer shrubs and trees, can last 10-25 years
- intermediate stage 15-30: woody shrubs and wines, <25% tree canopy –> decline in herb per

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14
Q

describe stage 4 meadows

A
  • final stage before considered pioneer woodland
  • 30-50% woody, <25% tree cover
  • sun lovers replaced with stage lovers
  • depend on periodic fires to prevent succession to forest
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15
Q

name 3 ways to manage meadows

A
  1. arressting succession; maintian early stages via burning, mowing a
  2. encourage native species; don’t introduce invasive species
  3. non native hort plants should be restricted to civic landscapes far removed from natural areas
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16
Q

name 3 plants to manage out of meadow?

A

garlic mustard, quack grass and crown vetch

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17
Q

name 5 invasive woody species to avoid/ eliminate?

A

buckthorn, black locust, russian olive, tartian honeysuckle, european mtn ash

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18
Q

why should you be aware of “meadow in a can?

A

Seed mix doesn’t contain natives, dont include enough clump grasses

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19
Q

what is the main characteristic of praries

What is the characteristic of prairie plants?

A
  • largely result of a climate that favoured grasslands, not forests
  • plants deep root system so can survive drought, prevents non native prairie species from developing –> add organic material as break down
  • long living perennials, able to survive poor growing conditions and periodic grazing
20
Q

describe 3 dif types of prairies in NA

A
  1. west receives less precipitation and has shortgrass prairie
  2. east is wetter ( Southern ON) tall grass prairie
  3. region inbetween is mixed prairie , intermed height
21
Q

list 5 characteristic of Tallgrass prairie communities

A
  • associated with carolinian community; >800 species
  • <10% tree cover
  • requires burning to remain as climax community
  • takes 3-4 years to develop thatch layer
  • requires more moisture than regular prairies
22
Q

describe savanna characteristics

A

-similar to prairie but with more tree cover ( inbetween open prairie and closed forest)
-fire dependent
-less grass cover, more ferns and wildflowers
10-35% tree cover

23
Q

what is oak savanna?

A
  • transition zone between prairie grassland and oak forests
  • over 99.93% altered/ devastated
  • fire dependent - kills exotic species
24
Q

what are alvars

A
  • naturally open habitats with either thin covering or no soil over limestone base
  • few trees, prairie species can usually survive
  • occur in Baltic countries and Great lakes Basin
25
Q

what % of southern ON original “old-growth forest”

A

0.07%

26
Q

what is the main reason deforestation occurs

A

economic –> agricultural

27
Q

t or f teh deciduous forest region has most diverse forest life in ON

A

true

28
Q

where is the deciduous forest located?

A
  • most southernly and is situated North of lake erie
29
Q

what is the Great Lakes St Lawrence forest region

A

central ON to lake huron and west of lake superior along border with Minnesota

30
Q

what is ON official tree

A

white pine

31
Q

define boreal forest region location

A
  • below hudson bay lowlands
32
Q

t or f the boreal forest region is the largest forest region in ON and Canada

A

true

33
Q

what are predom species in boreal forest

A

white spruce, jack pine, balsam fir, tamarack and eastern white cedar, polar and white birch

34
Q

what distinguishes the hudson bay lowlands

A

-distinguished by bogs and fens, slow growing forest and tundra - most north eastern ON forest region

35
Q

what 2 criteria most be met in order for a designed planting to become a community?

A
  1. all plants chosen should be able to grow and thrive within teh same env’t stresses and disturbances
  2. plants must be compatible in terms of their competitive strategies
36
Q

what are the 5 principle of designed plant communities?

A
  1. related pop’ns, not related indv
  2. stress as an asset
  3. cover the ground densely by vertically layering plants
  4. make it attractive and legible
  5. management not maintenance
37
Q

the principle that plants shouldn’t be treated as objects placed like furniture but instead as compatible species that interact with each other and the site is?

A
  1. related pop’ns not isolated indv
38
Q

which principle states to embrace a more limited palette of plants that can tolerate a variety of conditions and to accept teh env’tal constraints of the site? what is the result?

A
  1. stress as an asset

- only fittest plants survive, new plants more adaptive ecological niche

39
Q

which principle uses the idea of green mulch ? what should be avoided?

A
  1. cover the ground densely by vertically layering plants

- avid invasive ground covers - instead layer vertically

40
Q

who came up with the ‘cues to care’ principles? what does this principle consist of ?

A

LA Joan Nassauer

-surround wild plantings with neat frames ie mown lawn, clipped hedge, and hardscape elements

41
Q

what 4 things are done in the management over maintenance principle? what is avoided?

A
  • mowing, burning, selective removal or selective additions

- watering, mulching, spraying, pruning and leaf litter removal

42
Q

what % should filler plants be? what is a filler plant?

A

5-10%; short lived perennials, biennials and annuals

-useful for showiness and ability to cover soil quickly until longer perennials est.

43
Q

what % makes of the groundcover layer? what is considered a ground cover?

A

50% ; more utilitarian than showy, job is to suppress weeds, control erosion and provide nectar

44
Q

what are the 4 components that make up a designed plant community and their %?

A
  1. filler plants 5-10%
  2. groundcover layer 50%
  3. seasonal theme25-40%
  4. structural framework 10-15%
45
Q

what % makes the seasonal theme layer? what is this layer?

A

25-40%; mid height plants, showy that grow in masses and drifts

46
Q

what % makes up the structural framework layer? what is this layer consist of?

A

10-15%; formed by tall grasses and forbs - winter interest, trees shrubs and upright perennials

ECOL 1001 (8 decks)

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