Ecological Succession Quiz

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Questions and Answers

Ecological succession in new areas of land with little to no soil or vegetation is called ______ Succession.

Primary

The final stage of ecological succession is called the ______ community.

climax

The process by which freshwater ecosystems change over time in a natural and predictable way is called ______ succession.

aquatic

Too much ______ can lead to flooding, habitat loss, change in available nutrients, and coastline alteration.

sedimentation Signup and view all the answers

The process of a body of water becoming nutrient rich is called ______.

Eutrophication Signup and view all the answers

Ecosystems operate under ______ equilibrium, which describes the balance between different parts of the ecosystem.

dynamic Signup and view all the answers

Human activity such as resource extraction can cause ______ loss and disrupt forest ecosystems.

habitat Signup and view all the answers

The introduction of ______ species can cause competition and overcrowding, forcing species out of their natural habitats or causing them to die out.

nonnative Signup and view all the answers

Match the following types of succession with their descriptions:

Primary Succession = Ecological succession in new areas of land with little to no soil or vegetation Secondary Succession = Ecological succession in areas where existing ecosystems have been disturbed or destroyed Ecological Succession = The process of one ecological community gradually changing into another Aquatic Succession = The process by which freshwater ecosystems change over time in a natural and predictable way Signup and view all the answers

Match the following terms with their definitions:

Eutrophication = The process of a body of water becoming nutrient rich Sedimentation = The process of material being broken down by weathering and transported by wind, water, or gravity Climax Community = A stable community that no longer goes through major changes Dynamic Equilibrium = The balance between different parts of the ecosystem Signup and view all the answers

Match the following human activities with their effects on ecosystems:

Resource Extraction = Habitat loss and deforestation Pollution = Contaminants being expelled into the environment Nonnative Species Introduction = Competition and overcrowding, forcing species out of their natural habitats or causing them to die out Fertilizer Use = High nutrient levels, leading to eutrophication Signup and view all the answers

Match the following ecosystem changes with their effects:

Flooding = Too much sedimentation Habitat Loss = Too much sedimentation Change in Available Nutrients = Too much sedimentation Coastline Alteration = Too much sedimentation Signup and view all the answers

Match the following ecosystem disruptions with their causes:

Habitat Loss = Resource extraction and deforestation Pollution = Human activity, such as the release of contaminants into the environment Eutrophication = Runoff from fertilizers and decaying organisms Disease = Natural disruptions in ecosystems Signup and view all the answers

Match the following ecosystem changes with their effects on populations:

Habitat Loss = Decrease in population size Eutrophication = Algae growth and decreased dissolved oxygen levels Resource Extraction = Disturbances in ecosystem equilibrium Nonnative Species Introduction = Competition for resources and habitat Signup and view all the answers

Match the following ecosystem components with their descriptions:

Climax Community = A stable community with no major changes Ecological Succession = The process of one ecological community gradually changing into another Dynamic Equilibrium = The balance between different parts of the ecosystem Sediment = Material broken down by weathering and transported by wind, water, or gravity Signup and view all the answers

Match the following ecosystem disturbances with their effects:

Forest Fires = Natural disruption in ecosystems Volcanic Eruptions = Natural disruption in ecosystems Floods = Natural disruption in ecosystems Pollution = Human activity disrupting ecosystems Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Ecosystem Changes

Ecological succession is the process of one ecological community gradually changing into another.
The final stage of ecological succession is called climax community, a stable community that no longer goes through major changes.

Types of Succession

Primary Succession: ecological succession in new areas of land with little to no soil or vegetation.
Secondary Succession: occurs in areas where existing ecosystems have been disturbed or destroyed, such as land cleared for crops.

Aquatic Ecosystem Changes

Aquatic succession is the process by which freshwater ecosystems change over time in a natural and predictable way.
Sediment is any material broken down by weathering and transported by wind, water, or gravity.
Excessive sedimentation can lead to:
- Flooding
- Habitat Loss
- Change in available nutrients
- Coastline alteration

Eutrophication

Eutrophication is the process of a body of water becoming nutrient rich.
Causes of eutrophication include:
- Runoff from fertilizers
- Decaying organisms
Eutrophication leads to:
- High nutrient levels
- Algae and microorganisms growth
- Decreased dissolved oxygen levels

Impact on Populations

Ecosystems operate under dynamic equilibrium, describing the balance between different parts of the ecosystem.
Natural disruptions include:
- Forest fires
- Floods
- Volcanic eruptions
- Disease

Human Impact on Ecosystems

Resource Extraction:
- Habitat loss and deforestation disrupt forest ecosystems.
- Drilling for oil devastates aquatic environments.
Pollution:
- Contaminants are expelled into the environment through human activity.
- Examples: air pollution and water pollution.
Nonnative Species:
- Competition and overcrowding force species out of their natural habitats or cause them to die out.