Environmental Science 1021F/G Chapter Notes - Chapter 8: Ecological Pyramid, Species Evenness, Indicator Species
19 Dec 2013
School
Department
Professor
Document Summary
5% of the acadian forest remains in its natural state. All the pieces of the ecological community puzzle are connected. 50% of maritimes land was covered in acadian forest. Ecosystems: all of the organisms in a given area plus the physical environment in which, and with which they interact. Habitat: the physical environment in which, and with which, individuals of a particular species can be found. Community ecology: the study of all the populations (plants, animals, and other species) living and interacting in an area. Boreal forest covers more than half of the country. Indicator species: the species that are particularly vulnerable to ecosystem perturbations, and that, when we monitor them, can give us advance warning of a problem (example: lichens) If indicator species begin to disappear, this lets us know that there is a problem and gives us time to act before other species become affected. Matter and energy move through a community via the food web.
