Changing Ecosystems

Front

Ecosystem Noun

---

[ee-koh-sis-tuhm]

Back

Ecosystem

---

A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment, functioning together as a single unit.

---

Example: An ecosystem includes animals, plants, and their environment interacting as a unit.

Front

Population Noun

---

[pop-yuh-ley-shuhn]

Back

Population

---

A group of individuals of the same species that live and interbreed within a specific geographical area.

---

Example: A forest scene showing different animals living together, illustrating a population in an ecosystem.

Front

Ecological Succession Noun

---

[ee-kuh-loj-i-kuhl suhk-sesh-uhn]

Back

Ecological Succession

---

The gradual process by which an ecological community of species changes and develops over a period of time.

---

Example: This image shows how a pond ecosystem develops over time, with plants and fish representing stages of ecological succession.

Front

Climax Community Noun

---

[klahy-maks kuh-myoo-ni-tee]

Back

Climax Community

---

A stable, mature ecological community that is the final stage of succession and experiences little significant change.

---

Example: The image shows how ecosystems develop from bare rock to a stable climax community over time.

Front

Primary Succession Noun

---

[prahy-mer-ee suhk-sesh-uhn]

Back

Primary Succession

---

Ecological succession that occurs in a new area of land where there is little or no existing soil.

---

Example: The image shows how primary succession starts with bare rock and progresses to a forest, illustrating soil formation and plant growth stages.

Front

Lichen Noun

---

[lahy-kuhn]

Back

Lichen

---

A composite organism that grows on bare rock and helps create soil during the early stages of succession.

---

Example: Lichen is formed by a partnership between fungus and algae, helping create soil on bare rock.

Front

Secondary Succession Noun

---

[sek-uhn-der-ee suhk-sesh-uhn]

Back

Secondary Succession

---

Ecological succession that occurs in an area where an existing ecosystem was disturbed but the soil remains.

---

Example: A forest area with tree stumps and logs shows secondary succession after disturbance.

Front

Aquatic Succession Noun

---

[uh-kwot-ik suhk-sesh-uhn]

Back

Aquatic Succession

---

The natural, predictable process of gradual change that occurs in a freshwater ecosystem over a period of time.

---

Example: The image shows aquatic succession with plants and fish in a pond, illustrating gradual ecosystem changes.

Front

Sediment Noun

---

[sed-uh-muhnt]

Back

Sediment

---

Natural material that is broken down by weathering and erosion, and is subsequently transported by wind or water.

---

Example: Sediment layers under a river show how natural material is transported and deposited by water.

Front

Weathering Noun

---

[weth-er-ing]

Back

Weathering

---

The natural process that breaks down rocks, soil, and minerals into smaller pieces through environmental forces.

---

Example: A river eroding a riverbank, showing how water breaks down rocks and soil.