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Questions and Answers
What is the main difference between primary and secondary succession?
What is the main difference between primary and secondary succession?
Primary succession occurs on bare rock without soil, while secondary succession happens after a disturbance that leaves the soil intact.
Describe the first step in primary succession.
Describe the first step in primary succession.
The first step in primary succession is the colonization of bare rock by lichens and mosses.
What characterizes a climax community?
What characterizes a climax community?
A climax community is a stable, long-lasting community that is influenced primarily by the climate of the region.
Give an example of where primary succession might occur.
Give an example of where primary succession might occur.
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What leads to the process of secondary succession?
What leads to the process of secondary succession?
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Study Notes
Succession Definition
- Succession is the ongoing change in a biological community following a disturbance.
- A climax community is a stable, lasting community established by the region's climate.
Primary Succession
- Occurs on new geological surfaces with no prior soil, such as bare rock.
- This process takes over 100 years.
- Progression: bare rock → lichen and moss → soil formation → small annual plants → herbs and grasses → shrubs and trees → shade-tolerant trees.
- A typical example is volcanic eruption sites, like Mt. St. Helens.
Secondary Succession
- This type of succession happens after a disturbance that doesn't remove the soil.
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Description
Explore the concepts of primary and secondary succession in biological communities. Understand the gradual changes in ecosystems following disturbances, including the formation of climax communities. This quiz will test your knowledge on the stages of succession and their significance in ecology.
