Biology Concept 1

secondary succession

Succession following a disturbance that destroys a community without destroying the soil

ecological succession

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

pioneer species

first species to populate an area during succession

climax community

stable, mature ecological community with little change in the composition of species

primary succession

succession that occurs in an area in which no trace of a previous community is present

Explain the process of ecological succession and what kinds of conditions give rise to primary vs. secondary succession

Ecological succession is the process of ecological change in an ecosystem where one community is replaced by another community over time. Primary succession occurs when a communtiy forms an area that has not been previously occupied, occurs over a LONG period of time, doesnt have soil for plants to regenerate so i has to make its own soil. secondary succession occurs in an area that was previously occupied by living organisms, but the community was destroyed by a disturbance;fire, farming and hurricanes,the community is destroyed but the soil is still intact so it takes less time than primary succesion.

Explain how humans impact the process of ecological succession

Humans build societies on these destroyed community's, also deforestation.

Describe the role of pioneer species in beginning the process of primary succession, as well as a climax community at the end of both primary and secondary successsion

Pioneer species are the first species to grow in an new environment. - Lichens and moss in primary succession. - Can grow in areas where other organisms cannot - over time these organisms decompose and release nutrients to form a layer of soil that larger, more complex plants can grow in. - climax community is reached at the end of the ecological succession - climax community is a mature and stable community of plant and animals