ES Unit 4 Review

Front

What is a keystone species?

Back

A species that plays a critically important role in an ecological community, often affecting many other organisms in the ecosystem.

Front

What happens to small fish populations if large fish are removed from the food web?

Back

The small fish populations will increase.

Front

What is the expected outcome for rabbit populations if one is brown and the other is white?

Back

There will be more white rabbits than brown rabbits.

Front

What is genetic drift?

Back

The effect of random events on evolution, where certain alleles may become more or less common in a population due to chance.

Front

What is primary succession?

Back

The process of ecological recovery that begins on bare rock or other lifeless areas, often starting with pioneer species.

Front

What are pioneer species?

Back

Species that are the first to colonize previously disrupted or damaged ecosystems, initiating the process of ecological succession.

Front

What is natural selection?

Back

The process by which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.

Front

What is gene flow?

Back

The transfer of genetic material between populations, which can increase genetic diversity.

Front

What is an invasive species?

Back

A non-native species that spreads widely in a new habitat, often causing harm to native species and ecosystems.

Front

What is a food web?

Back

A complex network of feeding relationships among various organisms in an ecosystem.