Questions and Answers
Primary succession would most likely occur after?
What is one difference between primary and secondary succession?
Secondary succession begins on soil and primary succession begins on newly exposed surfaces.
Living organisms modify their environment a little at a time during ecological succession.
True
Which is a factor that could interrupt the progress of succession?
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A tropical rainforest may not return to its original climax community after disturbances.
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An example of a human-caused disturbance is?
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Which plants are likely to be pioneer species?
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What kind of natural disaster helps some forest communities?
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Where would an ecologist be least likely to go to study primary succession?
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Succession is possible because?
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Give an example of secondary succession.
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Which is NOT a likely component of soil formed during primary succession?
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What type of vegetation would you expect to find on an abandoned farm that has remained undisturbed for 150 years?
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What type of succession occurs after a natural process such as a volcanic eruption or flood?
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A landslide causes part of a mountainside to fall away, leaving bare rock. In the years immediately following the landslide, the area will experience?
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In the years immediately after a fire, a forest will experience?
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An invasive species is also considered?
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Which is a beneficial invasive species?
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What is an invasive species?
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What are pioneer species?
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What is old field succession?
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What are lichens?
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What is an invasive species?
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What is a climax community?
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Provide an example of an invasive species. Why is it invasive? How does it affect the surrounding ecological community?
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Compare and contrast primary and secondary succession. Include examples and types of plants seen from beginning to end.
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Study Notes
Ecosystem Change and Succession
- Primary succession occurs on newly exposed surfaces, such as those resulting from lava flows or landslides.
- Secondary succession begins on pre-existing soil, often after disturbances like fire or agricultural abandonment.
- Ecological succession involves living organisms gradually modifying their environment over time.
- Natural disturbances, such as windstorms, can interrupt the process of succession while also facilitating new growth by allowing seed dispersal.
- Tropical rainforests may not return to their original climax community after human-induced disturbances like clearing and farming.
Disturbances and Their Effects
- Human-caused disturbances, such as forest-clearing, significantly impact ecological communities and succession processes.
- An example of secondary succession includes the regrowth of vegetation after a forest fire, which starts with pioneer species.
- Soil formed during primary succession is unlikely to contain dust particles from the air, focusing instead on organic matter from colonizing species.
Pioneer and Climax Species
- Pioneer species, like shrubs and lichens, are the first to colonize barren land and initiate the process of soil formation.
- Invasive species, which are nonnative organisms, can disrupt local ecosystems; the European Honey Bee is an example of a beneficial invasive species.
- A climax community represents a stable endpoint where ecosystems return to normal conditions, often characterized by mature vegetation such as tall oak trees.
Types of Succession
- Old field succession occurs when agricultural fields become abandoned, leading to rapid growth of weeds and subsequent development of forest ecosystems.
- After natural disasters like volcanic eruptions or floods, secondary succession is triggered, allowing ecosystems to slowly recover.
- An example of an invasive species, the Burmese Python, disrupts local food webs by preying on native animals with few natural predators.
Comparison of Successions
- Primary succession is typically slower than secondary succession because initial life forms must first establish soil and conditions for further growth.
- Both succession processes eventually lead to diverse ecosystems, incorporating a range of plant species from lichens to grasses, shrubs, and trees as they progress.
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Test your knowledge on primary and secondary succession in ecosystems with these flashcards. Understand the differences and concepts involved in ecological succession. Perfect for students studying ecology or environmental science.
