Communities in Space and Time

The following terminology should be part of your working vocabulary:

You should be able to do the following kinds of things:

1. Describe how the ideas of the formation and life zones (pp. 148-152) were important in the establishment of ecology as a science (see also Figs. 8-26, 8-27, and 8-28).

2. Discuss at least two fundamental problems with using the formations or life zones as units of vegetation.

3. Describe the general concept of a gradient.

4. Interpret Figures 26-3, 26-4, 26-7, 26-10, 26-11 and 28-4 in terms of the concept of the gradient.

5. Describe how the concept of gradients helps us overcome the fundamental problems of dealing with the formations or life zones as units of vegetation.

6. Describe the general process of succession in terrestrial communities (see Figs.. 28-1, 28-2, 28-3, 28-8, 28-20 and 28-21).

7. Describe how the idea of competition may be helpful in understanding the process of succession.

8. Distinguish between primary and secondary succession; in particular, point out fundamental differences and similarities between the two events.

9. Reflect on the following proposition: It would seem that there is enough descriptive variation in vegetation patterns within a single climate to require classification based on differences in community composition. What are the reasons for this variation?

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