Food Web

Ecology/ Succesion Notes

2. Ecological Termsa. Biotic factors – living things that

influence an ecosystemb. Abiotic factors – nonliving

things that influence an ecosystem

c. Limiting factors – factors that prevent biotic growth

d. Carrying capacity – number of organisms an ecosystem can support

e. Niche – organism’s role in an ecosystem

1. Ecological Levels

a. Individual (species)

b. Population – group of individuals of the same species that can potentially interbreed

c. Community – groups of different populations interacting within a specific area

d. Ecosystem – collection of biotic and abiotic factors in an area

.

e. Biomes – group of ecosystems that have the same climate and similar dominant communities

f. Biosphere: Thin area on Earth’s surface where life exists

Ecosystems are constantly changing in response to natural and human disturbances. Name a natural or human disturbances?

3. Succession

a. As an ecosystem changes, older inhabitants gradually die out and new organisms move in, causing further changes. This series of changes that occurs in a community over time is known as succession.

3. Succession

4. Primary successionSuccession that occurs on surfaces where no soil exists. For example, when a volcano erupts in the ocean it can create a new island.

a. When primary succession begins there is only rock. b. The first species to populate the area are called

pioneer species. In this case they are lichens. Lichens are made of fungus and algae.

c. As lichens grow, they break up the rocks. When lichens die they provide organic material to help form soil.

d. Moss, grass, and then trees begin to grow.

Lichen

5. Secondary SuccessionOccurs when a disturbance changes an existing community without removing the soil.

a. Examples: When land is cleared for farming and then abandoned or when wildfire burns woodlands.

Climax Community-mature and stable community

6. Can you put the following pictures in order of succession?

A EDCB

1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th

Can you put the following pictures in order of succession?

C

B

A

1st

2nd

3rd

A

B

C

Can you put the following pictures in order of succession?

A CB

1st

Primary succession or Secondary succession???

3rd 2nd

Can you put the following pictures in order of succession?

A B DC

Which one is the pioneercommunity?

Climax community?

Lichens and Mosses

White spruce, balsam fir, & paper birch.

Can you put the following pictures in order of succession on the time line?

Primary succession or Secondary succession???

Disturbances Lab1. VOLCANO 2. WILDFIRE 3. HURRICANE

4. URBANIZATION 5. FARMING 6. GLACIER MELT

QuickWriteWORD WALLSuccessionDisturbancePioneer speciesLichenClimax communityPopulationDiversity

Use at least 5 words underline them in the sentences.Time: 2 songs.