Chapter 4: Ecosystems and Communities

Question 1

What is the Competitive Exclusion Principle?

Answer 1

no two species will occupy the same niche at the same place and time

Question 2

What is ecological succession?

Answer 2

predictable evolution of an ecosystem

Question 3

What are the two types of ecological succession?

Answer 3

primary succession and secondary succession

Question 4

What is primary succession?

Answer 4

occurs in environment with new surface lacking soil and vegetation

Question 5

What is secondary succession?

Answer 5

occurs in an environment that is already established but follows an event that decreases the population

Question 6

What can human disturbances cause?

Answer 6

secondary succession

Question 7

What is biodiversity?

Answer 7

existence of a wide range of different species

Question 8

What is monoculture?

Answer 8

existence of few different species

Question 9

How do you find biodiversity?

Answer 9

number of different species per unit of measurement

Question 10

What is the importance of biodiversity

Answer 10

• regulates climate
• breakdown waste
• recycle nutrients
• filter and purify water
• maintain soil fertility
• purify air
• maintain healthy & stable ecosystem
• limit disease spread
• natural resources