What is species richness?
Species richness is the number of different species present in a community.
True or False: Evenness refers to how evenly individuals are distributed among the different species in a community.
True
Fill in the blank: The Shannon Wiener Index is a measure of both species __________ and species __________ in a community.
richness, evenness
Which community is likely to have a higher Shannon Wiener Index value: one with high species richness and evenness or one with low species richness and high dominance of a few species?
The community with high species richness and evenness.
What does a low value in the Shannon Wiener Index indicate about a community?
It indicates low diversity, often due to a few species dominating the community.
Ecological succession
the natural, gradual process of change in the species composition of an ecological community over time, leading to a stable “climax community”
Example of secondary succession
Land after forest fire
Secondary succession
the process by which an ecosystem recovers and regrows after a disturbance that significantly alters it, but leaves the soil largely intact.
Primary succession
the ecological process where an uninhabited, barren area with no soil, such as newly formed volcanic rock or land exposed by a retreating glacier, is gradually colonized by living organisms
Pioneer species
the first hardy organisms, such as lichens and mosses, to colonize a barren or disturbed environment
Seral stages
stages where plants gradually change over time
Climax community
the final, relatively stable and mature stage of ecological succession in an environment, consisting of a balanced assortment of species that are well-adapted to the local conditions
Species Richness
the total number of different species within a specified area, ecosystem, or community
Species Evenness
a measure of how equally distributed individuals are among the different species within an ecological community
Ecosystem Diversity
The variety of different ecosystems in a given area
What does a higher Shannon-Wiener Index (H) value indicate?
A higher Shannon-Wiener Index (H) value indicates greater species diversity within a community, reflecting both a larger number of species (richness) and a more even distribution of individuals among those species (evenness). Conversely, a lower H value signifies a less diverse community, where either fewer species are present or one or a few species dominate, leading to lower evenness.
Genetic Diversity
the variety of different genes and alleles within a population or species
What is the difference between primary and secondary succession?
Primary succession begins on barren land with no soil and secondary succession is much faster because the soil is already in place.
What does a higher species evenness indicate?
A higher species evenness indicates a well-balanced ecosystem where different species are present in relatively similar numbers
What does a higher species richness indicate?
A higher species richness indicates a more biodiverse, complex, and often healthier ecosystem that is more resilient to change and disturbance
Example of primary succession
Land after volcanic erruption
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Biology 1.2 Flashcards24
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Biology 2.1 Flashcards Pop Eco Study Guide14
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Biology 2.2 Pop Eco Study Deck28
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2.2 Pop Eco study deck Part 23
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2.3 Pop Eco Study Guide16
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3.1 Community Study Guide Flashcards19
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3.2 Ecology Study Guide21
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3.3 Ecology Study Guide14
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4.1 Ecology Study Guide11
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4.2 Ecology Study Guide12
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4.3 Ecology Study Guide16
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5.1 Study Guide13
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5.2 Chemistry Study Guide8
