Words Flashcards
Autotrophs
Organisms that can manufacture food molecules
Gross primary productivity
The total photosynthesis per unit area in an ecosystem
Pesticide resistance
When a strain of pest spices becomes less affected by a pesticide due to natural selection of resistant individuals
Genetic drift
A random change in the gene pool, not caused by natural selection
Founders effect
The loss of genetic variation that occurs when a new population is established by a very small number of individuals from a larger population
Oligotrophic
Lakes characterized by low nutrient levels and productivity; 1st stage of aquatic succession
Coevolution
When two species adapt to each other through natural selection. Cooperative or competitive
Speciation
The isolation of sub species to the point where genetic variation produces 2 different species
Realized niche
The niche that an organism assumes based upon environmental conditions.
Niche partitioning
When competitive species assume a narrower realized niche in order to share a resource
Competition
When species of similar niches compete over a resource (food or habitat)
Range of tolerance
The ideal range of an abiotic factor for a species
Ecological succession
The progression in an environment as nutrients accumulate
Climax community
The end state for an ecological succession the varies based upon physical environmental conditions
Keystone species
Species that play a crucial role in an ecosystems balance. Ex) tertiary consumers
Tropic cascade
The multi step degradation of a food web due to the removal of a keystone species
Biome
Climax community with a wide geographical range
Ecosystem services
Ways in which an ecosystem or species directly benefit people
Generalist species
Adaptable species with wide tolerance ranges
Commensalism
Interspecies relationship in which one organism benefits and the other is unchanged
