APES Unit 2 Review

Front

What is ecological succession?

Back

The process by which ecosystems change and develop over time, involving a series of stages that lead to a stable community.

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What are the two main types of ecological succession?

Back

Primary succession and secondary succession.

Front

What is primary succession?

Back

The type of succession that occurs in an area with no soil, such as after a volcanic eruption or glacier retreat.

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What is secondary succession?

Back

The type of succession that occurs in an area where soil is present but has been disturbed, such as after a forest fire.

Front

What is biodiversity?

Back

The variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem, including the number of different species.

Front

What is biodiversity richness?

Back

The number of different species present in a community.

Front

How does distance from the mainland affect island biodiversity?

Back

Islands closer to the mainland tend to have higher biodiversity due to easier access for species.

Front

What role do pioneer species play in ecological succession?

Back

Pioneer species are the first organisms to colonize a barren environment, initiating the process of succession.

Front

What is a climax community?

Back

A stable and mature ecological community that has reached the final stage of succession.

Front

What is the difference between species richness and species evenness?

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Species richness refers to the number of different species, while species evenness refers to how evenly individuals are distributed among those species.