BIO326 : Community

In barren areas, new communities develop as populations invade the habitat when conditions become favorable. Certain species succeed other species as time passes. As communities change, they exhibit patterns of species diversity and organization that can also change. Some of these patterns are found repeatedly in similar and in different communities around the world. The growth of the human population is one more environmental pressure that influences patterns of species diversity and organization in natural communities.

In this section we will look for patterns of community development and organization. We will examine threats to the stability of natural communities and identify the components of biodiversity.

• Community Structure
• Succession
• Community Patterns

After completing this module, you should be able to:

• Explain the concept of an ecological community and describe the properties of a community
• Use various indices to summarize patterns of community organization
• Describe the pattern of change in natural communities from bare ground to complex structure
• Apply community theory to real and practical situations
• Apply community theory to historical and geographical gradients in community structure
• Evaluate community change in the context of human impact

To complete this module, you should:

• Read the indicated pages of the textbook, The Economy of Nature by Robert E. Ricklefs.
• Open and read the hyper-text lessons for each topic in the unit, including the links in the body of each lesson.
• Submit assignments by the dates indicated on their respective pages.