Ecology Unit 2.4: Changes in Ecosystems

Large regions characterized by climate and communities. Example: tropical rain forest, taiga, tundra, desert, marine, estuary, freshwater

• Biome

• Ecosystem

• Continent

A community of living organisms and their nonliving environment

• Biome

• Ecosystem

• Continent

The slow process by which organic matter and decomposing organisms build up in a body of water like a pond.

• Decomposition

• Eutrophication

• Succession

Slow replacement of one ecological community by another ecological community

• Decomposition

• Eutrophication

• Succession

A new community that inhabits an ecosystem with no soil

• Primary Succession

• Secondary Succession

• Ecological Succession

Ecological change that happens after a sudden ecological disturbance, such as a natural disaster

• Primary Succession

• Secondary Succession

• Ecological Succession

The first organisms to live and survive in a new uninhabited ecosystem

• Climax species

• Primary species

• Pioneer species

The final stage of a mature ecosystem is filled with these stable species.

• Climax species

• Primary species

• Pioneer species

A common form of pioneer species

• ferns

• lichen

• birds

The number a variety of species that are present in an area.

• Species

• Biodiversity

• Primary Species