Module 11 & 12 AP Review: Ecological Tolerance & Natural Disruptions

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts from Module 11 on ecological tolerance and Module 12 on natural disruptions to ecosystems, including definitions of niches, ecosystem properties, and types of environmental changes.

Foraminifera

Tiny, marine protists with hard shells that are preserved in ocean sediments, used by scientists to indirectly estimate past ocean temperature changes.

Ecosystem resistance

A measure of how much a disruption can affect the flows of energy and matter in an ecosystem.

Ecosystem resilience

The rate at which an ecosystem returns to its original state after a disruption.

Positive feedback loop (environmental)

A situation in an ecosystem where a change intensifies the initial change, such as drought leading to dry, hardened soil that cannot absorb water, thus intensifying the drought damage.

Periodic disruption

Environmental changes that occur regularly, such as the cycles of day and night or the daily and monthly cycles of the moon's effect on ocean tides.

Episodic disruption

Environmental changes that occur somewhat regularly, such as cycles of high and low rain that occur every 5 to 10 years.

Random disruption

Environmental changes that occur with no regular pattern, such as volcanic eruptions or hurricanes.

Biodiversity

The variety of life within an ecosystem, considered critical for the proper functioning and productivity of ecosystems.