Ecology

Front

What is ecological succession?

Back

The process by which ecosystems change and develop over time, involving a series of stages from pioneer species to a stable climax community.

Front

What are the two main reservoirs for carbon dioxide?

Back

Ocean and atmosphere.

Front

What is a producer in an ecosystem?

Back

An organism that can make its own food through photosynthesis, such as plants and algae.

Front

How does a decrease in plant population affect carbon dioxide levels?

Back

If the plant population decreases, the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere would increase.

Front

What is the order of plant growth after a volcanic eruption?

Back

Lichens → Grasses → Shrubs → Trees.

Front

What is a consumer in an ecosystem?

Back

An organism that obtains energy by feeding on other organisms, such as animals.

Front

Define a decomposer.

Back

An organism that breaks down dead organic material, returning nutrients to the soil, such as fungi and bacteria.

Front

What is biodiversity?

Back

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

Front

What role do lichens play in ecological succession?

Back

Lichens are often the first organisms to colonize bare rock, initiating the process of soil formation.

Front

What is the difference between primary and secondary succession?

Back

Primary succession occurs in lifeless areas where soil has not yet formed, while secondary succession occurs in areas where a disturbance has destroyed an existing community but soil remains.