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Flashcards about Adaptations and Ecological Succession
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Genetic Diversity
Variability in genes of individuals within a population.
Adaptation
A new trait that increases an organism's fitness (ability to survive and reproduce).
Natural Selection
Organisms that are better adapted to their environment will be able to survive and reproduce more offspring.
Selective Pressure/Force
The environmental condition that kills individuals without the adaptation.
Short-Term Adaptations
Developments in response to temporary changes in the environment; DNA does not change.
Long-Term Adaptations
May induce DNA changing over long time periods in response to natural selection, including conditioning processes.
Ecological Succession
A series of predictable stages of growth that an ecosystem goes through.
Primary Succession
Starts from bare rock in an area with no previous soil formation; moss and lichen break down rock to soil.
Secondary Succession
Starts from already established soil in an area where a disturbance cleared out plant life (seeds dispersed by wind/animals).
Pioneer/Early Successional Species
Appears first when ground is bare rock or soil after a disturbance; adapts to conditions, possibly creating new soil.
Mid Successional Species
Appears after pioneer species, helped develop deeper soil with more nutrients.
Late Successional Species
Appears last, after soil is deepened and enriched with nutrients by earlier successional species.
Keystone Species
Species with a crucial role in an ecosystem.
Indicator Species
Organisms that reflect an ecosystem's environment and health.
Effects of Succession in a Disturbed Ecosystem
Changes in biomass, species richness, and net productivity.