Changing Ecosystems

Question 1

ecological succession

Answer 1

the process of the gradual evolution of an ecosystem

Question 2

sere

Answer 2

an intermediate community found in ecological succession in an ecosystem advancing towards its climax community

Question 3

primary succesion

Answer 3

development and change in plant communities over time leading from bare ground to climax community

Question 4

pioneer species

Answer 4

species of plants that colonise bare ground

Question 5

pioneer species characteristics

Answer 5

tolerant of extreme conditions
can photosynthesise
rapid spore or seed germination
can fixate nitrogen
r-strategists

Question 6

Example of pioneer species

Answer 6

Lichens

Question 7

secondary succesion

Answer 7

succesive natural changes in plant communities in an area wherethe dominant species of the previous community has been removed by distubance such as natural disasters or interference from humans

Question 8

eutrophication

Answer 8

build up of mineral nutrients in the wate which may result in oxygen depletion