AP Environmental Science- Ecology Flashcards

5174821483	abundance	When one species is found in large quantities in an ecosystem	0
5174821484	commensalism	A relationship between two organisms in which one organism benefits and the other is unaffected	1
5174821489	complexity	The number of different species in each trophic level and the number of different tropic levels in a ecosystem	2
5174821490	competition	Interaction among organisms that want the same resource in an ecosystem. Major evolutionary pressure. Could be inter or intra specific.	3
5174821517	tolerance limits	The limit of a variable at which a particular species cannot survive or is unable to reproduce	4
5174821518	territoriality	When a species partitions an area to as to lessen intraspecific competition	5
5174821519	symbiosis	A close relationship between two species that benefits at least one of the species.	6
5174821520	stability	A situation in which things continue without any major changes or problems	7
5174821521	specialist	A consumer that primarily eats one specific organism or feeds on a very small number of organisms; disruptions to environment are catastrophic to survival	8
5174821522	secondary succession	A type of succession that occurs where an existing community has been cleared by some disturbance that leaves the soil intact.	9
5174821523	resource partitioning	The differentiation of niches that enables similar species to coexist in a community	10
5174821524	resiliance	the ability of an organism to recover from stress or pressure	11
5174821525	tolerance limits	For each abiotic factor, an organism has a set range of tolerances within which it can survive	12
5174821526	realized niche	Part of a species fundamental niche that it actually uses, limited by competition.	13
5174821527	primary succession	Process by which a community arises in a virtually lifeless area with no soil	14
5174821528	primary productivity	Rate at which organic matter is created by producers in an ecosystem	15
5174821532	predation	An interaction in which one organism kills another for food. Anything that consumes another living organism is a predator.	16
5174821533	pioneer species	First species to populate an area during primary succession	17
5174821535	natural selection	A natural process resulting in the evolution of organisms best adapted to the environment.	18
5174821537	parasitism	A symbiotic association in which one organism benefits while the other is harmed.	19
5174821538	mutualism	A relationship between two species in which both species benefit	20
5174821539	keystone species	A species that influences the survival of many other species in an ecosystem	21
5174821540	intraspecific competition	Competition among members of the same species	22
5174821541	interspecific competition	Competition between members of different species	23
5174821542	generalist	a species with a broad niche that can tolerate a wide range of conditions and can use a variety of resources; highly adaptable to environmental disturbances	24
5174821543	Introduced species	Non-native species in an area; may take over niches of native species in an area and eventually replace them. (invasive)	25
5174821544	native species	Species that have naturally evolved in an area	26
5174821545	fundamental niche	The full potential range of conditions and resources a species could theoretically use if there was no competition from other species	27
5174821546	fire-climaxed communities	biome characterized by periodic fires every few years, followed by secondary succession (Chapparal)	28
5174821547	evolution	Change over time	29
5174821549	edge effect	different conditions along the boundaries of an ecosystem	30
5174821550	ecotone	A transitional zone where ecosystems meet. edge effect	31
5174821551	succession	Gradual change in organisms that occurs when the environment changes	32
5174821552	niche	Full range of physical and biological conditions in which an organism lives and the way in which the organism uses those conditions	33
5174821553	diversity	A measurement of the number of species inhabiting an ecosystem.	34
5174865926	Batesian Mimicry	Harmless species evolve characteristics that mimic unpalatable or poisonous species	35
5175232954	Mullerian Mimicry	Two unpalatable species evolve to look alike	36
5175234284	Aposmatic Coloration	Warning coloration	37
5175241498	Law of Competitive Exclusion	No two species will occupy the same niche and compete for exactly the same resources for an extended period of time.	38
5175256297	Punctuated Equilibrium	Species evolve in bursts rather than a gradual steady pace. Species may go long periods of time without evolving Contrary to Darwin's original theory Species evolve in correlation with pressure and available genes.	39
5175258516	Speciation	Evolution of a new species	40
5175260306	Allopatric Speciation	Results from geographic isolation Sharing of genetic material is no longer possible because of geographic barriers	41
5175260307	Sympatric Speciation	Results from behavioral isolation Sharing of genetic material is no longer possible because of differences in behavior Speciation takes place while these species are in the same physical space.	42
5175266126	Disruptive Selection	Selection for both extremes and against moderate traits	43
5175269140	Stabilizing Selection	Selection for moderate traits and against both extremes	44
5175272602	Directional Selection	Selection for one extreme and against the other extreme	45