Ecology and Environment Flashcards

What is the term for the sequential development of ecological communities over time in a previously barren area?

Answer: Primary succession

Primary succession occurs in lifeless areas (e.g., after volcanic eruption) where pioneer species like lichens first colonize bare rock.

What is a biome?

Answer: A large geographic area characterized by its climate and dominant vegetation

A biome is a large-scale ecosystem defined by its climate and characteristic plant and animal communities, e.g., tropical rainforest or tundra.

What is eutrophication?

Answer: Excessive nutrient enrichment of water bodies leading to algal blooms

Eutrophication occurs when excess nutrients (especially nitrogen and phosphorus) cause rapid algal growth, depleting dissolved oxygen and harming aquatic life.

Which type of symbiosis benefits one organism while harming another?

Answer: Parasitism

Parasitism is a symbiotic relationship where one organism (parasite) benefits at the expense of another (host), such as tapeworms in humans.

What is the primary cause of species extinction globally today?

Answer: Habitat loss and destruction

Habitat loss through deforestation, wetland drainage, and urban expansion is the leading cause of species extinction worldwide.

What is the name of the zone in a lake where light penetrates and photosynthesis occurs?

Answer: Photic (euphotic) zone

The photic (euphotic) zone is the upper layer of a water body where sufficient sunlight penetrates to support photosynthesis by phytoplankton.