Integrated Science 1 Quarter 4

• Primary Succession - A type of ecological succession that occurs when a new habitat is formed from a bare rock surface with no soil.
• Secondary Succession - A type of ecological succession where a

  disturbance has destroyed an existing community but left the soil intact.
• When a volcano erupts, it can produce new land surfaces composed of lava or ash. Over time, these barren surfaces begin to support life as pioneer species, such as lichens and mosses, colonize them and contribute to soil formation. (Primary Succession)
• Volcanic Island Formation: When volcanic activity creates new islands in the ocean, these islands start as barren rock. Over time, primary succession occurs as birds, wind, and ocean currents bring seeds and spores, establishing initial plant and animal life.
• Large landslides can strip away existing vegetation and soil, leaving bare rock or newly deposited material. This bare surface then undergoes primary succession as pioneer species begin to colonize it.
• As glaciers melt and retreat, they expose bare rock and newly formed land that was previously covered by ice. This new land provides a fresh substrate for primary succession to occur.
• Alpine succession begins with lichen growth on the rock surface, followed by grasses and other low-growing plants. As more organic matter accumulates, shrubs and trees eventually establish themselves.
• Pioneer species are the first organisms to colonize a barren or disturbed environment in primary succession. These species are typically hardy and can survive in harsh conditions with limited resources.
• Intermediate species, also known as seral species, are the plants and animals that colonize an area during the middle stages of ecological succession, following the pioneer species. These species continue the process of ecological development by further modifying the environment, enhancing soil quality, and increasing biodiversity.
• As vegetation becomes denser, insects, birds, and small mammals (Intermediate species) start to inhabit the area, contributing to seed dispersal and nutrient cycling.
• Climax community is the final stage of ecological succession when the ecosystem reaches its most stable state. The climax community consists of mature plant communities and diverse animal populations adapted to the specific environmental conditions.
• The climax community has reached equilibrium between production and consumption rates, resulting in minimal changes over time.
• Ecological Pyramid - Graphical representations of each trophic level in an ecosystem.
• Biomagnification - An Increase in concentration of toxic chemicals in organisms at successively higher trophic levels of a food chain or a food web.
• Trophic Level - A position within a food chain or food web occupied by an organism based on what it eats.
• Food Web - A complex network representing multiple interconnected food chains in an ecosystem.
• Food Chain - A linear representation of energy flow through different trophic levels in an ecosystem.
• Niche - The role played by a species in its environment.
• Biotic Factor - Living factor that influences other living things such as predators, prey, competitors, mutualists, parasites, pathogens, etc.
• Abiotic Factors - Non-living factors that influence the growth and survival of living things.
• Pyramid of Numbers - A graphical representation of biomass distribution among various trophic levels in an ecosystem.
• Community - All the different species of plants and animals found together in one place
• Community - All the populations of all the species living together in one place.
• Species - A group of similar organisms capable of breeding to produce fertile offspring.
• Ecosystem - All the biotic (living) components of an area interacting with all the abiotic (non-living) components of that area
• Population - All individuals of the same species that live in the same area.
• Bioaccumulation - An Increase in the concentration of toxic chemicals in specific organs or tissues at a level higher than we normally expect.
• Name that Ecological Pyramid

  • Pyramid of Numbers: A forest ecosystem might have many primary producers (trees), fewer herbivores (deer), and even fewer top predators (wolves).
  • Pyramid of Biomass: Generally upright with trees having the most biomass.
  • Pyramid of Energy: Always upright with primary producers capturing solar energy and subsequent energy loss at each trophic level.
• Pyramid of Numbers - Illustrates the number of individual organisms at each trophic level in an ecosystem.
• Pyramid of Biomass - Shows the total mass of living matter at each trophic level.
• Pyramid of Energy - Depicts the flow of energy through each trophic level over a period of time.
• Mutualism - Organisms in this form of partnership both benefit from the formed association wherein a close relationship remains with one another.
• Clownfish find refuge among the stinging tentacles of the sea anemone, gaining protection from predators due to the anemone's potent nematocysts. They offer a reliable food source by leaving behind uneaten food and nutrients in the form of waste, which the anemone can absorb. This is an example of a mutualism.
• Carabao provides a mobile feeding platform for herons. As the carabaos graze in fields or wade through water, they stir up insects, small fish, and other prey, making it easier for the herons to catch their food. Additionally, herons perch on the backs of carabaos to catch insects that might be trying to bite or bother the carabaos. This is an example of a mutualism.
• In a commensalism relationship, one organism benefits from another without harming the other organism.
• The relationship between orchids and trees is an example of commensalism. Orchids benefit from this relationship by using the tree as a physical support, allowing them to grow higher up in the canopy.
• The relationship between sharks and remoras is an example of commensalism. Remoras have specialized dorsal fins that function like suction cups, allowing them to attach to the bodies of sharks.
• Parasitism - One organism benefits from the relationship while the other one is harmed.
• Head lice provoke intense itching due to allergic reactions to their bites and saliva, often leading to skin irritation and the risk of secondary bacterial infections from scratching. This is an example of parasitism.
• Mistletoe is a hemiparasitic plant, meaning it partially relies on its host tree for water and nutrients while also performing photosynthesis to produce its own energy. This parasitic behavior can weaken the host tree over time. This is an example of parasitism.