Ecology

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What is a keystone species?

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A keystone species is a species that has a disproportionately large effect on its environment relative to its abundance. Its removal can lead to significant changes in the ecosystem.

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What is a climax community?

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A climax community is the final, stable community in an ecological succession that remains relatively unchanged until disrupted by an event.

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What is primary succession?

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Primary succession is the process of ecological change that occurs in an area where no soil exists, starting from bare rock or sand.

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What is secondary succession?

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Secondary succession is the process of ecological change that occurs in an area where a disturbance has destroyed an existing community but left the soil intact.

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What is intraspecific competition?

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Intraspecific competition is the competition between individuals of the same species for limited resources.

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What is interspecific competition?

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Interspecific competition is the competition between individuals of different species for the same resources.

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What is the phosphorus cycle?

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The phosphorus cycle is the biogeochemical cycle that describes the movement of phosphorus through the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere, crucial for DNA, RNA, and ATP.

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What role do otters play in kelp forest ecosystems?

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Otters are a keystone species in kelp forests as they control sea urchin populations, preventing overgrazing of kelp.

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What is ecological succession?

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Ecological succession is the process by which ecosystems change and develop over time, involving a series of stages.

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What is a food web?

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A food web is a complex network of feeding relationships among organisms in an ecosystem.