Foster Environmental Final Exam

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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, such as after a volcanic eruption or glacier retreat. It starts with bare rock and progresses through stages of colonization by pioneer species, leading to a mature ecosystem.

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What is secondary succession?

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Secondary succession is the ecological process that occurs in an area where a disturbance has destroyed an existing ecosystem but left the soil intact, such as after a forest fire or flood. It typically occurs faster than primary succession.

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What is an apex predator?

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An apex predator is a species that sits at the top of the food chain, with no natural predators of its own. Examples include lions, great white sharks, and eagles.

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What is the difference between commensalism and mutualism?

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Commensalism is a type of symbiotic relationship where one species benefits while the other is neither helped nor harmed. Mutualism is a relationship where both species benefit from the interaction.

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What is parasitism?

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Parasitism is a symbiotic relationship where one organism (the parasite) benefits at the expense of another organism (the host), often harming it in the process.

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What is a food web?

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A food web is a complex network of feeding relationships among various organisms in an ecosystem, illustrating how energy and nutrients flow through the environment.

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What is the role of producers in an ecosystem?

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Producers, such as plants and algae, are organisms that convert sunlight into energy through photosynthesis, forming the base of the food chain.

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What is the significance of decomposers in an ecosystem?

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Decomposers, like fungi and bacteria, break down dead organic matter, recycling nutrients back into the soil and making them available for producers.

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What is the carbon cycle?

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The carbon cycle is the process by which carbon is exchanged between the atmosphere, land, water, and living organisms, playing a crucial role in regulating Earth's climate.

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What is biodiversity?

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Biodiversity refers to the variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem, including the diversity of species, genetic variation, and ecosystem diversity.