Question | Answer |
why do plants play an important role in succession? | because they provide food and shelter for animals |
What are the first organisms to colonize? | Lichens-they form because of the interactions of alga+fungus |
What do lichens do? | lichens use photosynthesis to make and to grow and they produce acids. these acids break rock into soil |
what happens at each generation of plants? | more soil is created allowing other plants to grow even taller and allowing more shrubs to grow |
what does the succession process look like? | lichens (0-1) grass (2-4) shrubs (5-20) forest (25-100) years |
what are natural disturbances? | forest fires and strong winds |
what are human made disturbances? | cutting down forests fro agriculture and urban development |
what is a result of less complex food webs? | planting one type of tree |
what are some ways humans use land? | farming, building cities, mining and travelling |
what are some ways of habitat loss? | forest clear-out, wetlands are drained and meadows are paved over |
what are our standard of living in Canada compared to other places | very high < larger ecological footprint |
what does earth biodiversity provide us with? | things we need to live and enjoy life (plant- raw materials) |
how many living things are there? and what are they mostly? | 1.75 million species (identified) most are small organisms or invertebrates |
why do invasive species have a negative impact? | not a part of existing food chains, grow quickly, have no or few natural predators and they compete for the same natural resources |