exam 3 pt 10 (ecological succession -> vectors)

ecological succession

sequence of community + ecosystem changes after a disturbance → primary + secondary

primary succession

occurs where NO SOIL exists when succession begins

→ I.e. plants that begin to grow out of a glacier

secondary successeion

begins in an area where soil REMAINS AFTER a disurbance

→ after fire, species growing on soil that REMAINED

biogeography

where life occurs over the continents

what factors determine where you find diversity in a community?

1) latitude

2) area

species area curve

quantifies a larger geographic area has more species

→ north american breeding bird supports this idea

island equilibrium model

species richness on island depends on island size + distance from the mainland, immigration, and extinction

equilibrium number

carrying capacity on islands

what is this telling you?

large island, holds more species

small islands, holds less species

what is this telling you?

islands FAR from the main land support less species

islands CLOSE to the main land support more species

pathogens

disease-causing microorganisms, viruses, viroids, and prions

→ ecological communities are universally affected by this quickly and extensively

zoonotic

pathogens have been transferred from animals to humans

the transfer of pathogens can be direct or through an intermediate species called a _____

vector

→ i.e. mosquitos are the vector that transmit malaria; ticks are the vector for lymes