Chapter 44: Ecological Communities Flashcards
Species Composition
The identities of all the species that make up a given ecological community
Succession
A series of predictable changes in species composition in a community following a disturbance.
Ecological Transition
A transition from one ecological community to a different community following a disturbance
Community Function
The measure of inputs and outputs within an ecological community
How is community function measured?
It is measured by the amount of energy or matter that moves into and out of the community per unit of time = flux
Flux/Flow Rate
Reflects an exchange between the community and its environment
Gross Primary Productivity (GPP)
Is the total amount of energy that primary producers convert to chemical energy
Net Primary Productivity (NPP)
Is the energy contained in tissues of primary producers and is available for consumption
Biomass
The mass of a sample of biological tissue, living or dead
Ecological Efficiency
The percentage of the energy contained in the biomass of one trophic level that is incorporated into biomass in the next trophic level
Disturbance
is an event that causes sudden environmental changes
On average, what is the total amount of energy incorporated into the biomass of a trophic level per unit of time?
Is about 10% that of the level it consumes
Niche
Is used to define an organism’s role in an ecosystem and also includes the organism’s “job” in that environment
Species diversity
Measure the change that two individuals in a community are the same species
What are the two components of species diversity?
- Species richness
2. Species evenness
