| A | B |
|---|
| biomes | large geographic areas with similar climates and ecosystems |
| climax community | an area that has reached a stable stage of ecological succession |
| ecological succesion | gradual changes that occur in the types of species that live in an area |
| estuary | area where river meets the ocean |
| permafrost | soil layer below the thawed surface in tundra and taiga biomes |
| secondary succession | takes place in an area with soil that was once the home of living organisms |
| plankton | foundation of open ocean food chain |
| climate | average weather pattern in an area over a long period of time |
| primary succession | development of new communities in newly created land areas without any soil |
