Community Ecology - AP Biology
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Identify an example of an ecological disturbance.
Identify an example of an ecological disturbance.
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Forest fire. Temporary disruption that can reset succession patterns.
Forest fire. Temporary disruption that can reset succession patterns.
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What is the role of a foundation species?
What is the role of a foundation species?
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Species that create and define a community. Provide physical structure that other species depend on.
Species that create and define a community. Provide physical structure that other species depend on.
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Identify a factor that limits primary productivity.
Identify a factor that limits primary productivity.
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Availability of sunlight. Light availability determines photosynthesis rates in ecosystems.
Availability of sunlight. Light availability determines photosynthesis rates in ecosystems.
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What does the term 'symbiosis' refer to?
What does the term 'symbiosis' refer to?
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Any type of close and long-term biological interaction between species. Can be mutualistic, parasitic, or commensalistic relationships.
Any type of close and long-term biological interaction between species. Can be mutualistic, parasitic, or commensalistic relationships.
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Define primary succession.
Define primary succession.
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Succession that begins in lifeless areas with no soil. Occurs on bare rock or after volcanic eruptions.
Succession that begins in lifeless areas with no soil. Occurs on bare rock or after volcanic eruptions.
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Define invasive species.
Define invasive species.
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Non-native species that spread widely and cause harm. Often outcompete native species for resources.
Non-native species that spread widely and cause harm. Often outcompete native species for resources.
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What is ecological succession?
What is ecological succession?
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The process of change in species structure in a community over time. Proceeds from pioneer species to climax community.
The process of change in species structure in a community over time. Proceeds from pioneer species to climax community.
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Identify a predator-prey relationship example.
Identify a predator-prey relationship example.
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Lions hunting zebras. Predator population often cycles with prey abundance.
Lions hunting zebras. Predator population often cycles with prey abundance.
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What is a food web?
What is a food web?
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A more complex network of who eats whom in a community. Shows interconnected feeding relationships in ecosystems.
A more complex network of who eats whom in a community. Shows interconnected feeding relationships in ecosystems.
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Define ecological resilience.
Define ecological resilience.
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The capacity of an ecosystem to recover from disturbances. Indicates ecosystem stability and adaptation ability.
The capacity of an ecosystem to recover from disturbances. Indicates ecosystem stability and adaptation ability.
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What is the role of decomposers in a community?
What is the role of decomposers in a community?
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Break down dead organisms, recycling nutrients. Essential for nutrient cycling and energy flow continuation.
Break down dead organisms, recycling nutrients. Essential for nutrient cycling and energy flow continuation.
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Identify an example of an ecological disturbance.
Identify an example of an ecological disturbance.
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Forest fire. Temporary disruption that can reset succession patterns.
Forest fire. Temporary disruption that can reset succession patterns.
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Identify an example of a climax community.
Identify an example of a climax community.
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Old-growth forest. Represents stable, mature ecosystem with low species turnover.
Old-growth forest. Represents stable, mature ecosystem with low species turnover.
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What is commensalism?
What is commensalism?
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Relationship where one species benefits, the other is neither helped nor harmed. One-sided benefit with neutral effect on the other species.
Relationship where one species benefits, the other is neither helped nor harmed. One-sided benefit with neutral effect on the other species.
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What is an ecosystem engineer?
What is an ecosystem engineer?
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Organism that creates, modifies, or maintains habitats. Modifies environment for other species' benefit or detriment.
Organism that creates, modifies, or maintains habitats. Modifies environment for other species' benefit or detriment.
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Identify an example of mutualism.
Identify an example of mutualism.
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Bees pollinating flowers while obtaining nectar. Both species benefit from this symbiotic relationship.
Bees pollinating flowers while obtaining nectar. Both species benefit from this symbiotic relationship.
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Identify an example of a natural barrier.
Identify an example of a natural barrier.
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Mountain range. Geographic feature that prevents species movement or gene flow.
Mountain range. Geographic feature that prevents species movement or gene flow.
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What is interspecific competition?
What is interspecific competition?
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Competition between members of different species. Often involves resource competition between different species.
Competition between members of different species. Often involves resource competition between different species.
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Define secondary succession.
Define secondary succession.
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Succession that occurs in areas where a community has been disturbed. Happens after fires, floods, or human disturbances.
Succession that occurs in areas where a community has been disturbed. Happens after fires, floods, or human disturbances.
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What is the competitive exclusion principle?
What is the competitive exclusion principle?
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Two species competing for the same resources cannot coexist. Also known as Gause's principle, based on resource competition.
Two species competing for the same resources cannot coexist. Also known as Gause's principle, based on resource competition.
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Define biotic factor.
Define biotic factor.
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Living component that affects the ecosystem. Includes all living organisms that influence ecosystem function.
Living component that affects the ecosystem. Includes all living organisms that influence ecosystem function.
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What is intraspecific competition?
What is intraspecific competition?
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Competition among members of the same species. Usually more intense due to identical resource needs.
Competition among members of the same species. Usually more intense due to identical resource needs.
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What is an ecological footprint?
What is an ecological footprint?
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Measurement of human impact on Earth's ecosystems. Quantifies resource consumption and waste production rates.
Measurement of human impact on Earth's ecosystems. Quantifies resource consumption and waste production rates.
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What is an ecological hotspot?
What is an ecological hotspot?
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A biogeographic region with significant levels of biodiversity. Areas with exceptional endemic species and habitat threats.
A biogeographic region with significant levels of biodiversity. Areas with exceptional endemic species and habitat threats.
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Define primary succession.
Define primary succession.
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Succession that begins in lifeless areas with no soil. Occurs on bare rock or after volcanic eruptions.
Succession that begins in lifeless areas with no soil. Occurs on bare rock or after volcanic eruptions.
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What is a keystone species in community ecology?
What is a keystone species in community ecology?
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A species with a disproportionately large impact on its environment. Their removal dramatically affects ecosystem structure and function.
A species with a disproportionately large impact on its environment. Their removal dramatically affects ecosystem structure and function.
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Define parasitism.
Define parasitism.
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Relationship where one species benefits at the expense of another. Parasite gains resources while harming the host organism.
Relationship where one species benefits at the expense of another. Parasite gains resources while harming the host organism.
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Define ecological isolation.
Define ecological isolation.
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When two species occupy different habitats within the same area. Reduces competition through spatial resource partitioning.
When two species occupy different habitats within the same area. Reduces competition through spatial resource partitioning.
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What is the Shannon diversity index?
What is the Shannon diversity index?
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A measure of species diversity in a community. Combines species richness with relative abundance patterns.
A measure of species diversity in a community. Combines species richness with relative abundance patterns.
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What is a habitat?
What is a habitat?
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The natural environment in which a species lives. Physical location where organisms live and obtain resources.
The natural environment in which a species lives. Physical location where organisms live and obtain resources.
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