Succession + Relationships

Question 1

Ecological Succession

Answer 1

Ecological change in an ecosystem where one community is replaced by another over time

Question 2

Primary Succession

Answer 2

forming of a brand new ecosystem
-occurs when community forms in an area that has never been occupied
-LONG period of time
-ex. exposed rock, lava

Question 3

Pioneer species

Answer 3

1st organisms to grow in a new environment
Primary: lichens + mosses
Secondary: weeds + grasses

Question 4

What does each pioneer species do?

Answer 4

Lichens + Mosses: grow in an area where others cannot; decompose + release nutrients to form soil that complex plants can grow in
Weeds + Grasses: can grow quickly

Question 5

Climax Community

Answer 5

a mature + stable community of plants and animals

Question 6

Secondary Succession

Answer 6

recovery of an old ecosystem

Question 7

What causes a community to be destroyed and then secondary succession occurs?

Answer 7

a disturbance
ex. fire, hurricane, farming

Question 8

Stable Ecosystem

Answer 8

one that remains relatively constant w/ predictable changes

Question 9

Habitat

Answer 9

the area in the ecosystem where an organism lives, including abiotic + biotic resources

Question 10

Many organisms share a ________, but have a unique _________.

Answer 10

Habitat; Niche

Question 11

Niche

Answer 11

all of the things an organism needs + does within its habitat

Question 12

Predation

Answer 12

one organism kills + eats another

Question 13

Keystone Species

Answer 13

a species that holds the ecosystem together- it is critical for the survival of other species in the ecosystem
-Predators are often keystone species

Question 14

Competition

Answer 14

a relationship that exists between two or more organisms that are fighting for the same limited resources
-Interspecific or Intraspecific

Question 15

Interspecific Competition

Answer 15

competition is between different species

Question 16

Intraspecific Competition

Answer 16

competition is between the same species

Question 17

Competitive Exclusion Principle

Answer 17

no two organisms can occupy the same niche at the same time
-if they are different, one is probably a better fit
-if they are similar, they fight and the loser finds a different niche

Question 18

Symbiosis

Answer 18

any interaction that involves a close, physical, long term relationship between 2 species
-one always benefits
-always interspecific
(parasitism, commensalism, mutualism)

Question 19

Parasitism (+,-)

Answer 19

parasite benefits while host is harmed
-parasite cannot kill host because the parasite needs to spread and survive
-ex. tick on dog, tapeworm

Question 20

Commensalism (+,o)

Answer 20

one organism is benefited while the other is unaffected
ex. barnacles on mussels

Question 21

Mutualism (+,+)

Answer 21

both organisms benefit
-helps them both survive
ex. clownfish + anemone