Limiting Factors Unit 11:Biology(9th grade)

What are density independent limiting factors?

Factors that affect the size of a population regardless of its population density.

What type of factors are considered density independent limiting factors?

Abiotic factors such as environmental stresses like forest fires, lightning, and tornadoes.

What are density dependent limiting factors?

Factors that affect the size or growth of a population and vary with population density.

What types of factors are density dependent limiting factors?

Biotic factors including availability of food, parasitism, predation, and disease.

What is ecological succession?

Natural changes in the types of species that live in an area when one community replaces another.

What is primary succession?

A type of ecological succession that begins with no soil and occurs slowly.

What are examples of primary succession?

Lava flows, landslides on a mountain, and receding glaciers.

What are pioneer species?

Species that first colonize previously disrupted or damaged ecosystems in secondary succession.

What role do lichens play in primary succession?

Lichens are pioneer species that break down rock to form soil.

What is secondary succession?

A type of ecological succession that begins in a place with soil and occurs quickly.

What are examples of secondary succession?

Forest fires, floods, tornadoes, and other environmental disturbances.

What is a climax community?

A stable group of plants and animals that represents the final stage in the succession process.

Does a climax community always mean the presence of big trees?

No, climax communities can also include grasses in prairies or cacti in deserts.

What is the range of tolerance?

The ability of any organism to survive when subjected to abiotic or biotic factors.

What does the bell curve represent in the context of tolerance?

The number of organisms that can survive at different levels of abiotic or biotic factors.