Ecological succession

The process of ecological change in an ecosystem where one community is replaced by another community over time.

Formation of a brand new ecosystem.

A mature and stable community of plants and animals.

One that remains relatively constant, with predictable changes.

1. Describe each of the stages of succession including the typical plant life.

Primary succession: Formation of a brand new ecosystem. Includes: lichens, mosses Secondary succession: Recovery of an old ecosystem. Includes: Weeds & grasses.

2. What happens to the amount of biodiversity & biomass as succession continues?

Biodiversity and biomass increase as succession continues, but when succession reaches a climax community, they become relatively constant.

3. Describe the differences between primary & secondary succession. When is each type most likely to occur?

Primary succession is starting without anything, while secondary succession already has things left over, like soil. Primary succession is most likely to occur from lava, exposed rock, and eroded sand. Secondary succession = forest fires, tornadoes, etc

4. What are pioneer species? What are their typical characteristics?

The first organisms to grow in a new environment. They can grow in areas where others cannot, and they can decompose and release nutrients to form a layer of soil.

5. Differentiate between the types of organisms that serve as pioneer species for primary vs. secondary succession.

Primary succession = lichens and mosses Secondary succession = weeds and grasses.

6. Why are pioneer species important for primary succession?

They create a first layer of soil which allows other plants/organisms to live, and it continues growing after that. It basically just gives the ecosystem a starting point.

7. During succession, what might become the limiting factor for sun-loving mosses as taller plants begin to grow?

The taller plants begin to block out the sunlight for the sun-loving mosses, causing the mosses to not get the sunlight they need to survive. (Sunlight)

8. Summarize the different causes and starting conditions of primary vs. secondary succession.

Primary = no soil, no nothing: eroded sand, exposed rock, lava, ice Secondary = already soil: forest fires, hurricanes, tornadoes, etc

9. Explain how humans could impact the process of ecological succession.

They can increase the rate at which it naturally occurs by planting the plants in the soil, or by putting down special types of soil.

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Question	Answer
Ecological succession	The process of ecological change in an ecosystem where one community is replaced by another community over time.
Primary succession	Formation of a brand new ecosystem.
Secondary succession	Recovery of an old ecosystem.
Climax community	A mature and stable community of plants and animals.
Stable ecosystem	One that remains relatively constant, with predictable changes.
1. Describe each of the stages of succession including the typical plant life.	Primary succession: Formation of a brand new ecosystem. Includes: lichens, mosses Secondary succession: Recovery of an old ecosystem. Includes: Weeds & grasses.
2. What happens to the amount of biodiversity & biomass as succession continues?	Biodiversity and biomass increase as succession continues, but when succession reaches a climax community, they become relatively constant.
3. Describe the differences between primary & secondary succession. When is each type most likely to occur?	Primary succession is starting without anything, while secondary succession already has things left over, like soil. Primary succession is most likely to occur from lava, exposed rock, and eroded sand. Secondary succession = forest fires, tornadoes, etc
4. What are pioneer species? What are their typical characteristics?	The first organisms to grow in a new environment. They can grow in areas where others cannot, and they can decompose and release nutrients to form a layer of soil.
5. Differentiate between the types of organisms that serve as pioneer species for primary vs. secondary succession.	Primary succession = lichens and mosses Secondary succession = weeds and grasses.
6. Why are pioneer species important for primary succession?	They create a first layer of soil which allows other plants/organisms to live, and it continues growing after that. It basically just gives the ecosystem a starting point.
7. During succession, what might become the limiting factor for sun-loving mosses as taller plants begin to grow?	The taller plants begin to block out the sunlight for the sun-loving mosses, causing the mosses to not get the sunlight they need to survive. (Sunlight)
8. Summarize the different causes and starting conditions of primary vs. secondary succession.	Primary = no soil, no nothing: eroded sand, exposed rock, lava, ice Secondary = already soil: forest fires, hurricanes, tornadoes, etc
9. Explain how humans could impact the process of ecological succession.	They can increase the rate at which it naturally occurs by planting the plants in the soil, or by putting down special types of soil.
10. Be able to identify a type of succession as primary or secondary based on an illustration or description. List some things you would look for or that might be absent in each scenario.

Created by: jewlsasterr

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