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13 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
What are the functional groups of communities?
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The functional groups of communities are producers, consumers, and decomposers.
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The feeding relationships that exist among species in a community relate to _________ _________.
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trophic structure
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What is the role of decomposers?
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Decomposers break down dead organic matter to recycle chemicals back into the community.
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What two functional groups are necessary to form a sustainable community?
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decomposers and producers
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What is the role of a dominant species?
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A dominant species controls the occurrence and distribution of other species in its community due to its enormous total weight (biomass).
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How do dominant species affect the presence of distribution of other species?
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Dominant species modify habitat and create ecological niches.
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What is the role of a foundation species?
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A foundation species (ecosystem engineer) substantially alters the physical properties of its environment.
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What is the role of a keystone species?
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Keystone species increases species number by its feeding behavior or by habitat modification.
Keystone species are also predation of strong competitor species. |
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How do foundation species affect the distribution of other species?
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Foundation species' activities significantly transform the physical habitat.
Examples: transfer nutrients from water to land (bears, fish) create aquatic habitat (beavers) create network tunnel create savannah (elephants) |
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What is ecological succession?
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Ecological succession is the process of predictable vegetation change in a community over time. Ecological succession can be induced by--
species change physical changes (moisture, sunlight, etc.) chemical changes (pH, mineral content) |
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What is primary succession?
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Primary succession begins in a lifeless or nearly lifeless environment without soil.
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What kinds of communities does primary succession occur in?
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Primary succession occurs in communities that have lost soil.
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When does secondary succession occur?
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Secondary succession occurs after a disturbance leaves the soil intact.
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