Ecological Succession

Disturbance

Disturbance are events that changes an ecosystem.

Define Ecological Succession

Ecological succession is the natural, gradual and orderly change in an environment. It is the gradual replacement of one plant community by another through natural processes over time.

Secondary succession always begins where?

Secondary succession begins when the rock has broken down and a base of soil is present.

Which type of succession occurs after a forest fire?

Secondary succession.

The greater the biodiversity of an ecosystem, the greater its _________ will be.

Sustainability

Approximately how long does it take secondary succession to reach a climax community?

Approximately 150 years.

How many years does it take a ecosystem to reach a climax community if it began with secondary succession?

Approximately 150 years.

Approximately how long does it take primary succession to reach a climax community?

Approximately 500 - 1,00 years.

Flood

Floods are natural disturbances often caused by heavy rains.

What is the pioneer species for secondary succession?

Grasses

Tsunami

Tsunami is a huge, fast-moving wave caused by an underwater earthquake or volcanic eruption

Wildfires

Wildfires start from natural events or human activities and can quickly move across an area killing plants and animals.

List 3 effects of flooding.

1. Can remove topsoil causing erosion and deposition. 2. Can damage habitats. 3. Can damage man-made structures.

List 3 effects of earthquakes on an ecosystem.

1. Damage or destroy man-made structures. 2. Can trigger a tsunami. 3. Can build up or bring down mountains. 4. Human loss.

List 3 effects of volcanoes on local ecosystems.

1. Increase land mass. 2. Lava can burn down all the trees around the volcano. 3. Can release ash into the atmosphere slowing down plant growth. 4. Lava can kill plant and animal life in the ocean. 5. Cause a new ecosystem to begin to develop.

What is a climax community?

A climax community is a mature, stable group of plants and animals that is the end result of the succession process. A climax community will be a balanced community.

Why is a pioneer species always a plant?

Because a plant is able to complete the process of photosynthesis and does not need other organisms to survive.

Sustainability of an ecosystem is dependent upon _____.

Biodiversity

Lichen is composed of two organisms that live in a symbiotic relationship. What are the two organisms and how to they support each other?

Fungus - provides a growing surface, moisture, and nutrients for the algae or cyanobacterium. Algae - (and/or cyanobacterium) the algae is able to photosynthesize so it provides nutrients to the fungus.

What would likely be the first plant to move into an area after a fire or after you dug up an area in a schoolyard?

Grasses and weeds would be the first plants to move in.

What is a pioneer species?

It is the first organism to move into an area in which begins the process of succession?

What is the pioneer species for primary succession?

Lichen

What characteristic does lichen have that makes it a good pioneer species for primary succession?

Lichen is able to secrete a mild acid that breaks down rock.

What characteristics make lichen an ideal pioneer species in primary succession?

Lichen is considered a producer so it is not dependent on other organisms to support it life. Additionally, it does not need soil to survive.

Which process takes longer to reach a climax community?

Primary Succession.

Which type of succession occurs after a volcanic eruption?

Primary Succession.

Which type of succession occurs after a flood?

Primary and Secondary succession, depending if the soil is present or not.

Which type of succession occurs after a landslide or mudslide?

Primary and Secondary succession, depending if the soil is present or not.

Primary succession always begins where?

Primary succession always begins in a place of bare rock and with no soil.

Considering the different stages of succession, which phase would have the greatest sustainability?

The final phase of succession would have the most sustainability because it has the greatest biodiversity, when it reaches it's climax community.

Ecological succession is the gradual replacement of one ecosystem or community to another. In the case of a freshly tilled pasture, if left alone, what kind of ecological succession would happen over a short period of time?

The pasture would be replaced with weeds and grass.

What is the typical cause of tsunamis?

Tsunamis are triggered by movement of tectonic plates beneath the ocean floor causing an earthquake.

What type of catastrophic event lead to ecosystems recovery through primary succession?

Volcanoes.