Environmental Science 2nd Benchmark Review 24.25

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What is primary ecological succession?

Back

Primary ecological succession is the process of ecological change that occurs in an environment that has not previously supported life, beginning without soil.

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What is secondary ecological succession?

Back

Secondary ecological succession is the process of ecological change that occurs in an environment that has previously supported life, beginning with soil.

Front

What is the main difference between primary and secondary ecological succession?

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Primary begins WITHOUT soil; Secondary begins WITH soil.

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What is carrying capacity?

Back

Carrying capacity is the largest population that an environment can support sustainably.

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What is a climax community?

Back

A climax community is a stable and mature ecological community that has reached a steady state.

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What are pioneer species?

Back

Pioneer species are the first organisms to colonize previously uninhabited land, such as mosses and lichens in primary succession.

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What is an example of a pioneer species in primary succession?

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Mosses and lichens are examples of pioneer species.

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What is a limiting factor in an ecosystem?

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A limiting factor is a resource or condition that limits the growth, abundance, or distribution of an organism or a population.

Front

What is the difference between birth rate and death rate?

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Birth rate is the number of live births per 1,000 people in a population, while death rate is the number of deaths per 1,000 people.

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What is the significance of a population's carrying capacity?

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The carrying capacity determines the maximum number of individuals that an environment can sustain without degrading.