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Zonation
changes in community along an environmental gradient
Zonation will ocurr where
there is an environmental gradient (changes in abiotic factors) and can occur on variety of scales (ex. Mt Kilimanjaro)
Factors that allow for zonation
abiotic factors (latitude, elevation, soil horizon, moisture, light, distance from shore, salinity, etc)
Elevation
change in altitude, results in variations in air pressure, temp, and oxygen availability, affects flora and fauna
Latitude
determines climate zones + insolation, influences ecosystems and species distrubition
Soil Horizon
variations in soil composition and nutrient availability, impacts plant root systems and species sustainability
Distance from Shore
determines water depth, salinity, and wave energy, shapes marine and coastal ecosystems
Transects
can be used to measure biotic and abiotic factors along environmental gradient in order to determine variables affecting species distribution
Succession
replacement of one community by another in an area over time due to changes in abiotic and biotic variables
Each seral community (sere) in a succession
causes changes in environmental conditions that allow next community to replace it through competition
Stages
Pioneer stage → early successional stage → mid successional stage → late successional stage (climax)
Primary succession
when no plant life is present, no pre existing community, over centuries soil forms and eepns, successive communities of plants grow
Secondary succession
begins after disaster/disturbance, already pre existing community, growth occurs over a quicker timespan, already a basis for it
An ecosystem capacity to tolerate disturbances and maintain an equilibrium depends on diversity and resilience
Newly found pioneer community = less resilient and more simple, shorter food chain (less biodiverse)
Mature, diverse community = more resilient, complex food web and adaptable to disturbances