ESS 2.5 Zonation, succession and change in ecosystems

zonation (2.5.1)

Changes in community along an environmental gradient. Examples: rocky shore zones, mountain vegetation belts, mangrove zonation.

environmental gradient (2.5.1)

Progressive change in abiotic factors over distance. Examples: altitude on mountains, depth in oceans, distance from shoreline.

transect (2.5.2)

Sampling line across an area to measure changes in biotic and abiotic factors. Examples: sandy beach profile, forest edge study, altitudinal gradient survey.

succession (2.5.3)

Replacement of one community by another over time due to environmental changes. Examples: volcanic island colonization, abandoned field revegetation, forest recovery after fire.

seral community (2.5.4)

Intermediate stage in ecological succession. Examples: grasses after lichens, shrubs before forest, pond becoming marsh.

sere (2.5.4)

Each community stage in succession causing environmental changes allowing next community. Examples: bare rock to lichen, lichen to moss, moss to grass.

climax community (2.5.4)

Final stable stage of succession in equilibrium with environment. Examples: tropical rainforest, temperate deciduous forest, oak woodland.

primary succession (2.5.5)

Succession on newly formed substrate with no soil or pre-existing community. Examples: Krakatau post-eruption, glacial moraine, sand dunes.

secondary succession (2.5.6)

Succession where soil already exists after disturbance. Examples: Broadbalk Wilderness, abandoned farmland, burned forest.

pioneer community (2.5.5)

First colonizers in succession tolerating harsh conditions. Examples: lichens on rock, algae on bare ground, grasses on sand.

resilience (2.5.8)

Ecosystem's capacity to tolerate disturbances and maintain equilibrium. Examples: coral reef recovery, grassland after fire, forest regeneration.

geomorphology (2.5.9)

Physical features and processes shaping Earth's surface. Examples: steep slopes, drainage patterns, rock formations.

top-down influence (2.5.9)

Effects of higher trophic levels on lower ones. Examples: wolf predation, elephant browsing, grazing pressure.

r-strategist species (2.5.11)

Species producing many offspring with low survival rates. Examples: dandelions, mice, insects.

K-strategist species (2.5.11)

Species producing few offspring with high survival rates. Examples: elephants, whales, oak trees.

alternative stable states (2.5.12)

Multiple possible climax communities in one location. Examples: forest-grassland mosaic, coral-algal reefs, shallow lake states.

plagioclimax (2.5.13)

Community maintained by human disturbance preventing climax. Examples: grazed heathland, managed woodland, mown grassland.