AP® Review: Ecological Succession & Biodiversity

Flashcards covering key concepts from Module 14 on ecological succession, keystone and indicator species, and biodiversity, including examples from the Galápagos Islands.

Primary Succession

An area that begins with no soil undergoes primary succession.

Secondary Succession

An area that begins with soil undergoes secondary succession.

Aquatic Ecosystem Succession (Streams/Intertidal)

Disturbed streams and intertidal habitats are quickly recolonized by algae and invertebrate animals.

Aquatic Ecosystem Succession (Shallow Lakes/Ponds)

Shallow lakes and ponds slowly fill with sediments over thousands of years, eventually becoming terrestrial habitats.

Species Richness during Succession

Generally experiences an initial increase that plateaus or slightly declines.

Biomass during Succession

Generally experiences an increase that plateaus.

Productivity during Succession

Generally experiences an initial increase that subsequently declines.

Keystone Species

A species that is not very abundant but has large effects on an ecological community, acting as predators, food sources, mutualistic partners, or providers of essential services like habitat.

Indicator Species

A species that demonstrates a particular characteristic of an ecosystem and is often used to quickly characterize when ecosystems have been impacted by humans.

Pioneer Species

The first species to colonize a bare or newly disturbed habitat, such as algae and lichens colonizing cooled lava during primary succession.

E. coli as an Indicator Species

A species commonly used to indicate the presence of human waste and potential disease-causing pathogens in water.

Flying Fox (Pteropus vampyrus)

A keystone species on many South Pacific islands, functioning as the primary pollinator and seed disperser for numerous tropical plant species.

Soil Fungi (Mutualists)

A group of mutualistic organisms considered keystone species because they increase plants' ability to extract nutrients from the soil, supporting overall plant growth.

Biodiversity

Refers to genetic, species, and habitat diversity, serving as a good indicator of environmental health.

Galápagos Islands

A hotspot of biodiversity located 600 km west of South America, known for its unique evolutionary adaptations and volcanic origin.

Darwin's Finches

An iconic example from the Galápagos Islands where descendants of one original finch evolved distinct adaptations to fill various ecological niches.

Invasive Species (Galápagos)

Species like goats and blackberries introduced by humans that threaten native plants and animals on the Galápagos Islands.

Island Biogeography

The study of factors affecting species distribution and richness on islands, explaining how islands are populated and how species evolve unique adaptations.

Marine Iguana

An adapted species from the Galápagos Islands, notable as the only sea-going lizard that dives for ocean algae and expels excess salt.

Flightless Cormorant

An adapted species from the Galápagos Islands, evolved with reduced wings for diving to the ocean floor to hunt for fish.