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Questions and Answers
What is the primary difference between primary and secondary succession?
What is the primary difference between primary and secondary succession?
- Primary succession occurs only after volcanic eruptions, while secondary can occur after floods.
- Primary succession involves faster growing species, while secondary involves slower growing species.
- Primary succession starts from nutrient-rich soil, while secondary does not.
- Primary succession begins after all organisms have been removed, whereas secondary involves some surviving organisms. (correct)
What role do pioneer species play in primary succession?
What role do pioneer species play in primary succession?
- They stabilize the soil and enhance nutrient availability. (correct)
- They compete for resources with climax species.
- They are primarily photosynthetic organisms.
- They contribute primarily through slow growth and nutrient absorption.
Which of the following statements about climax species is true?
Which of the following statements about climax species is true?
- Climax species tend to have faster growth rates and greater dispersal abilities.
- Climax species are the first to colonize after disturbance.
- Climax species are the final stable species in a mature environment. (correct)
- Climax species require nutrient-poor soils to thrive.
What typically characterizes disturbances that influence ecological succession?
What typically characterizes disturbances that influence ecological succession?
In which succession model does the presence of early species facilitate the colonization of later species?
In which succession model does the presence of early species facilitate the colonization of later species?
Which type of species is known to have a high productivity with simple food webs during early succession?
Which type of species is known to have a high productivity with simple food webs during early succession?
What is a key characteristic of keystone species in an ecosystem?
What is a key characteristic of keystone species in an ecosystem?
How does tree density in late-stage succession compare to middle-stage succession?
How does tree density in late-stage succession compare to middle-stage succession?
What is the primary outcome of exploitation in ecological relationships?
What is the primary outcome of exploitation in ecological relationships?
Which of the following statements about food chain length hypotheses is true?
Which of the following statements about food chain length hypotheses is true?
In what context are specific names of function-response curves necessary for the final exam?
In what context are specific names of function-response curves necessary for the final exam?
What is primarily excluded from the final exam regarding the life cycles discussed?
What is primarily excluded from the final exam regarding the life cycles discussed?
What type of relationships are characterized as mutualism in community dynamics?
What type of relationships are characterized as mutualism in community dynamics?
What distinguishes active transmission from passive transmission in parasites?
What distinguishes active transmission from passive transmission in parasites?
Which type of ecto parasite manipulates hosts into raising their young?
Which type of ecto parasite manipulates hosts into raising their young?
What is a characteristic of endo parasites compared to ecto parasites?
What is a characteristic of endo parasites compared to ecto parasites?
Which of the following is true about microparasites?
Which of the following is true about microparasites?
How do hemiparasites differ from holoparasites?
How do hemiparasites differ from holoparasites?
Which type of endo parasite typically kills its host during its immature stage?
Which type of endo parasite typically kills its host during its immature stage?
What is a common characteristic of ecto parasites compared to endo parasites?
What is a common characteristic of ecto parasites compared to endo parasites?
Which of the following best describes macroparasites?
Which of the following best describes macroparasites?
Which of the following best describes bottom-up control in an ecosystem?
Which of the following best describes bottom-up control in an ecosystem?
What is an example of bottom-up control in a freshwater ecosystem?
What is an example of bottom-up control in a freshwater ecosystem?
Which statement about community stability is accurate?
Which statement about community stability is accurate?
What does the term 'resilience' refer to in the context of an ecosystem?
What does the term 'resilience' refer to in the context of an ecosystem?
Which of the following factors is most closely related to resistance in an ecosystem?
Which of the following factors is most closely related to resistance in an ecosystem?
What role does indispensible mortality play in populations?
What role does indispensible mortality play in populations?
Which statement best contrasts top-down and bottom-up controls?
Which statement best contrasts top-down and bottom-up controls?
What impact does eutrophication generally have on aquatic ecosystems?
What impact does eutrophication generally have on aquatic ecosystems?
What is a characteristic of Type 2 predation response?
What is a characteristic of Type 2 predation response?
Why do introduced predators tend to have a larger impact on native species compared to native predators?
Why do introduced predators tend to have a larger impact on native species compared to native predators?
What was a primary reason for megafauna extinctions in North America?
What was a primary reason for megafauna extinctions in North America?
In the middle successional stage, which type of plants predominantly characterize the community?
In the middle successional stage, which type of plants predominantly characterize the community?
Which concept refers to an abiotic event that alters survival rates of one or more species?
Which concept refers to an abiotic event that alters survival rates of one or more species?
What type of succession occurs after a disturbance that completely destroys the existing community and exposes bare land?
What type of succession occurs after a disturbance that completely destroys the existing community and exposes bare land?
Which animal was specifically mentioned as having caused the extinction of bird species in Guam?
Which animal was specifically mentioned as having caused the extinction of bird species in Guam?
What often happens to species that are hunted by humans, according to the Overkill Hypothesis?
What often happens to species that are hunted by humans, according to the Overkill Hypothesis?
What role do parasites play in controlling invasive species?
What role do parasites play in controlling invasive species?
During which stage of succession do fast-growing species like herbs and grasses dominate?
During which stage of succession do fast-growing species like herbs and grasses dominate?
What does Community Importance (CI) indicate?
What does Community Importance (CI) indicate?
Which type of mutualism is characterized by species that cannot survive without each other?
Which type of mutualism is characterized by species that cannot survive without each other?
Which of the following is NOT an example of a pollinator?
Which of the following is NOT an example of a pollinator?
What is a characteristic feature of pollinator syndrome?
What is a characteristic feature of pollinator syndrome?
In defensive mutualism, what is typically provided by the protective species?
In defensive mutualism, what is typically provided by the protective species?
Which is a key benefit of resource-based mutualism?
Which is a key benefit of resource-based mutualism?
What distinguishes facultative mutualism from obligate mutualism?
What distinguishes facultative mutualism from obligate mutualism?
What role does the anatomical feature of a pollinator play in mutualistic relationships?
What role does the anatomical feature of a pollinator play in mutualistic relationships?
Which of the following is a key component required for effective seed dispersal by animals?
Which of the following is a key component required for effective seed dispersal by animals?
What advantage does seed dispersal provide compared to wind dispersal?
What advantage does seed dispersal provide compared to wind dispersal?
What is the primary role of pioneer species in an ecosystem?
What is the primary role of pioneer species in an ecosystem?
Which succession model is characterized by early species inhibiting the growth of later species?
Which succession model is characterized by early species inhibiting the growth of later species?
What is most likely to increase species diversity in an ecosystem according to the intermediate disturbance hypothesis?
What is most likely to increase species diversity in an ecosystem according to the intermediate disturbance hypothesis?
What distinguishes climax species from pioneer species?
What distinguishes climax species from pioneer species?
Which of the following is an example of secondary succession?
Which of the following is an example of secondary succession?
Which trophic level relies on primary producers for energy?
Which trophic level relies on primary producers for energy?
How does top-down control affect food chain dynamics?
How does top-down control affect food chain dynamics?
What characterizes early successional species?
What characterizes early successional species?
In the context of food webs, what is the role of decomposers?
In the context of food webs, what is the role of decomposers?
What happens to early successional species as the environment develops towards a climax community?
What happens to early successional species as the environment develops towards a climax community?
Flashcards
Late Successional Stage
Late Successional Stage
A community where the canopy cover is restored and slower growing species like trees become dominant. This stage is typically characterized by a lower tree density compared to middle stages due to competition.
Disturbance
Disturbance
An event that alters the survival rate of one or more species in an ecosystem. It can create openings for new species and resources by changing the environment.
Primary Succession
Primary Succession
A type of succession that occurs following a disturbance that removes all organisms and leaves bare substrate. It starts from scratch and relies on pioneer species.
Secondary Succession
Secondary Succession
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Pioneer Species
Pioneer Species
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Early Successional Species
Early Successional Species
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Climax Species
Climax Species
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Facilitation Model
Facilitation Model
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Study Notes
Stages of Succession
- Stages of plant succession involve canopy restoration and the emergence of slower-growing dominant species like trees.
- Late stages (50-100+ years) see trees becoming the dominant biomass.
- Tree density is lower in the later stage compared to the middle stage because strong competitors outcompete their neighbors.
Disturbances in Ecosystems
- Disturbances are abiotic events that alter the survival rates of one or more species.
- Disturbances can create openings and opportunities for some species, impacting resources and space.
- Disturbances vary in frequency and magnitude; small-impact disturbances are most common.
Succession Types
- Primary Succession: Occurs after a disturbance completely removes all organisms, exposing bare substrate.
- It starts from scratch, rebuilding ecosystems from barren conditions.
- Examples include fires, volcanic eruptions, glacial retreats, and floods.
- Primary succession creates nutrient-poor soil, relying on primary/pioneer species to create conditions for other organisms.
- Secondary Succession: Occurs after a disturbance where some organisms survive.
- It builds on pre-existing conditions, balancing nutrients and progressing through succession stages.
- Examples include abandoned agricultural fields.
Species Roles in Succession
- Primary/pioneer species: Tolerate harsh abiotic conditions, have quick growth and reproduction, and modify the environment to benefit other species.
- Often include plants with nitrogen-fixing bacteria in their roots.
- Early successional species: Good dispersers, experience fast growth in high sunlight, and have high productivity with simple food webs.
- Climax species: Represent the final stable species in a mature ecosystem. They exhibit slower growth, limited dispersal, and are strong competitors for nutrients and light.
Succession Models
- Facilitation: Early species modify the environment (e.g. improve soil quality, alter pH, provide shade) to promote the colonization of less tolerant species.
- This is common in primary succession but can also occur in secondary succession.
Community Importance and Keystone Species
- Community importance measures the effect of a species' removal on the community's overall biomass.
- tN = Total biomass of the original intact community
- tD = Total biomass in the community after a species is removed
- pI = Proportional biomass of species 'i' before removal
- Keystone species have a disproportionately large impact on their community (CI > 1).
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