Experimental Design
This is the variable that is manipulated or changed in an experiment.
Independent Variable
This type of succession occurs in an area where no previous ecosystem existed, such as a new volcanic island
What is Primary Succession
This is the largest type of aquatic ecosystem, covering about 71% of the Earth’s surface.
What is the ocean
This is the primary source of energy for most ecosystems.
What is the sun
This term describes the warming of Earth’s atmosphere due to the buildup of greenhouse gases
What is global warming
This is the variable that is measured or observed in an experiment
What is the dependent variable
This term describes the first species to colonize barren environments in primary succession and name the 2 species
What are the 2 zones in aquatic ecosystems?
What are the photic and aphotic zone
These organisms make up the first trophic level in a food chain.
This type of population growth occurs when resources are unlimited, resulting in a J-shaped curve.
This type of population growth occurs when resources are limited, resulting in an S-shaped curve.
Exponenntial, Logistic
Scientist often conduct experiments after they have made an observation. There is only one test variable. If there was more than one test variable it would be a (blank).
This type of succession occurs in areas where an existing community has been disturbed but soil and some organisms still remain
(Blank) is the amount of salt dissolved in a liquid
Salinity
This term describes organisms that consume producers
What are herbivores or primary consumers
These factors, such as food availability and predation, affect population size and are dependent on population density.
What are density-depdendent factors?
This group is treated with the test/ independent variable.
This group is NOT exposed to the test/ independent variable.
What is the experimental group and the control group
This term refers to the final, stable community in ecological succession that remains relatively unchanged until disrupted by an event.
What is a climax community
What cycle traces the movement of organic and inorganic chemicals through Earth's systems
What are biogeochemical cycles
This rule states that only about 10% of the energy at one trophic level is transferred to the next trophic level.
What is the 10% rule
This term describes the maximum population size that an environment can sustain indefinitely
What is carrying capacity
A researcher is studying the effect of different concentrations of salt on the germination rate of seeds. They prepare four groups of seeds: Group 1 with 0% salt, Group 2 with 1% salt, Group 3 with 2% salt, and Group 4 with 3% salt. All seeds are planted in identical soil and given the same amount of water. Identify the independent variable, dependent variable, and control variables in this experiment
What is the independent variable (concentration of salt), the dependent variable (germination rate of seeds), and the control variables (type of soil, amount of water)?
This process describes the gradual replacement of one plant community by another through natural processes over time.
What is ecological succession
The continuous movement of carbon through Earth's systems
What is the carbon cycle
These organisms break down dead material and recycle nutrients back into the ecosystem
What are decomposers
List 3 examples of Limiting factors
Competitors, Disease and Parasites, Weather, Fires, Available Habitat, Predators