Question

section 1
vocabulary review
choose the correct italicized term to complete each sentence.

1. an area of forest that experiences very little change in species composition is a climax community/primary succession.
2. the amount of oxygen in a fish tank is a tolerance zone/limiting factor that affects the number of fish that can live in the tank.
3. ecological succession/secondary succession describes the events that take place on a hillside that has experienced a destructive mudslide.

understand main ideas

1. lack of iron in the photic zone of the open ocean restricts the size of plankton populations. iron is what kind of factor for marine plankton?

a. distribution
b. tolerance
c. limiting
d. biotic
for questions 5 - 7, use the generalized graph below that describes an organisms tolerance to a particular factor.
a
b c d
range of tolerance

1. according to the graph, which letter represents the zone of intolerance for the factor in question?

a. a
b. b
c. c
d. d

1. what does the letter “d” represent in the graph?

a. zone of intolerance
b. zone of physiological stress
c. optimum range
d. upper limit

1. which letter in the graph represents the zone of physiological stress?

a. a
b. b
c. c
d. d

1. which place would you most likely find pioneer species growing?

a. climax forest
b. coral reef
c. disturbed grassland
d. newly formed volcano
constructed response

1. careers in biology a state park and wildlife department stocks several bodies of water, including rivers and lakes, with rainbow trout. the trout survive but do not reproduce. in terms of tolerance, discuss what might be happening.

use the image below to answer question 10.

1. short answer describe how the successional stages would differ from primary succession.
2. main idea explain why the concepts of limiting factors and tolerance are important in ecology.

think critically

1. theme focus change infer whether species diversity increases or decreases after a fire on a grassland. explain your response.
2. generalize the difference between a successional stage and a climax community.

section 2
vocabulary review
choose the vocabulary term from the study guide page that best fits each definition below.

1. the condition of the atmosphere
2. the average conditions in an area
3. a biome characterized by evaporation exceeding precipitation

Explanation:

1. # Brief Explanations:

• A climax community is a stable, self - perpetuating community that has reached a state of equilibrium. Since the forest has little change in species composition, it is a climax community.
• The amount of oxygen in a fish tank is a limiting factor as it restricts the number of fish that can live in the tank.
• A hillside that has experienced a destructive mudslide has some pre - existing soil and remnants of life, so the succession is secondary succession.
• Iron is a limiting factor for marine plankton as its lack restricts the size of plankton populations.
• In the graph, the zone of intolerance is where the organism cannot survive, which is represented by B.
• D in the graph represents the zone of physiological stress where the organism can survive but not thrive.
• C in the graph represents the zone of physiological stress.
• Pioneer species are the first to colonize a barren area. A newly formed volcano is a barren area where pioneer species would be most likely to grow.
• For the trout not reproducing, the water conditions (temperature, oxygen levels, etc.) may be within the tolerance range for survival but outside the optimal range for reproduction.
• In secondary succession (after a disturbance like a mudslide), there is existing soil and remnants of life, so the succession starts with plants that can grow in the existing conditions. In primary succession (e.g., on a newly formed volcanic island), there is no soil, and it starts with lichens and mosses that help break down rock to form soil.
• Limiting factors and tolerance are important in ecology as they determine the distribution and abundance of organisms in an ecosystem. Limiting factors can control population size, and tolerance levels determine where an organism can live.
• After a fire on a grassland, species diversity initially decreases due to the destruction of plants and animals. But over time, as pioneer species colonize and the ecosystem recovers, species diversity may increase as different successional stages bring in new species.
• A successional stage is a temporary and changing community during the process of succession. A climax community is a stable, long - lasting community that has reached a state of equilibrium.
• For the vocabulary review in Section 2:
• The condition of the atmosphere is weather.
• The average conditions in an area is climate.
• A biome characterized by evaporation exceeding precipitation is a desert.

Answer:

1. climax community
2. limiting factor
3. Secondary succession
4. C. limiting
5. B
6. B. zone of physiological stress
7. C
8. D. newly formed volcano
9. The water conditions may be within the tolerance range for survival but outside the optimal range for reproduction.
10. In secondary succession, there is existing soil and remnants of life, starting with plants adapted to the existing conditions; in primary succession, there is no soil, starting with lichens and mosses to form soil.
11. They determine the distribution and abundance of organisms in an ecosystem. Limiting factors control population size, and tolerance levels determine where an organism can live.
12. Initially decreases due to destruction, but may increase over time as the ecosystem recovers with different successional stages bringing new species.
13. A successional stage is temporary and changing; a climax community is stable and long - lasting.
14. weather
15. climate
16. desert