Ecology Wrap-up

Vocabulary Abiotic factor-a nonliving part of the environment Biotic factor-a living organism or its effects on the environment List 5 abiotic factors and 5 biotic factors in a forest ecosystem

Vocabulary Succession—natural process following a disturbance in which one community of plants and animals gradually replaces another Primary succession—ecological succession that begins in an area where both the living things and the soil have been destroyed Secondary succession—ecological succession after most living things have been killed, but the soil has not been destroyed

Which takes longer to reach the climax community, primary or secondary succession?

Vocabulary Pioneer species—first species that moves into an area after a disturbance (usually lichen) Climax community—a stable community of organisms that results from ecological succession https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxuttSOtqNE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsiEcapJ3KU

Vocabulary Population density—number of individuals of the same species living in a given area Carrying capacity—the largest population an environment can support over a long period

Vocabulary Density dependent limiting factor—something that limits the size of a population and whose effects are related to population density (food, water, shelter, etc.) Density independent limiting factor—something that limits the size of a population and whose effects are not related to population density (natural disasters)