The process that makes change possible in living things, it makes possible that the best adapted members of a species will survive (survival of the fittest)

What is natural selection?

The change from a common ancestor into a number of different species that “radiate out” to inhabit different niches, it reduces competition

What is adaptive radiation?

What is ecological succession?

Changes that take place over time in the types of organisms that live in an area. There are 2 types: primary and secondary

How is soil created in primary succession?

New soil is created by the release of nutrients from rock through chemical weathering and the decay of pioneer species, adding more nutrients to the new soil.

Lichens and other plants are the first organisms to survive and reproduce in an area.

What are pioneer species?

How is secondary succession different from primary succession?

Secondary succession begins after a major disturbance but soil is present. It takes less time to reach a mature community.

What disturbances may affect mature communities?

Forest fires Flooding Tsunamis Drought Insect infestation

Ecosystems where the soil is waterlogged for all or part of the year: contains unique populations of plants, animals and mico-organisms. Also called a “bog”.

What is a wetland?

Kidneys of the Earth

Wetlands----- they filter out wastes and hold great quantities of water.

The ability of an ecosystem to sustain ecological processes; it ensures that ecosystems will continue to have biodiversity over time.

What is sustainability?

The ways we obtain materials (soil, wood, water, gas, oil, minerals)

What is resource use?

The destruction of habitats, usually from human activities; can no longer support the original species that lived there.

What is habitat loss?

What is habitat fragmentation?

The division of habitats into smaller, isolated fragments. i. e The division of habitats into smaller, isolated fragments. i.e. Building a road through a forest area.

The practice where the forests are logged or cleared for human use and never replanted; reduces the number of plants and animals living in an ecosystem and results in soil degradation.

What is forestation?

What is soil compaction?

When soil particles are squeezed together (by farm animals and vehicles and the air between the particles is reduced. It can cause an increase in run – off.

Small plugs of soil are mechanically removed to aid in movement of air and water through the soil.

What is aeration?

The introduction of chemicals, toxins, wastes or mico organisms into the environment in concentrations that are harmful to living things.

What is contamination?

Plants and animals that naturally inhabit an area.

What are native species?

Name some native species of British Columbia.

Cat tails Whitebark pines Garry oak trees Red legged frogs Yellow- billed cuckoo

How are introduced species a threat to native species?

Introduce species can take over the habitat of native species Introduce species can take over the habitat of native species. Native species are not adapted to compete against these new competitors.

An example of an invasive species that is a predator.

Norway rat American bullfrog Crazy ants on Christmas Island in Australia

An example of an invasive species that causes diseases.

Viruses Bacteria Blister rust on pine trees

An example of an invasive species that is a parasite.

Parasitic sea lampreys suck the body fluids fro their fish prey.

An example of an invasive species that alters species.

Wild boars damage the environment by rooting, wallowing and spreading weeds.

How can overexploitation lead to extinction?

It can result in loss of genetic diversity, populations are less resistant to diseases and less able to adapt to changes in their environment.