Ecological Succession Flashcards
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Questions and Answers

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.

What is the pioneer species for primary succession?

Lichen

What is the pioneer species for secondary succession?

Grasses

What is a pioneer species?

<p>It is the first organism to move into an area, beginning the process of succession.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is a pioneer species always a plant?

<p>Because a plant is able to complete the process of photosynthesis and does not need other organisms to survive.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Primary succession always begins where?

<p>Primary succession always begins in a place of bare rock and with no soil.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Secondary succession always begins where?

<p>Secondary succession begins when the rock has broken down and a base of soil is present.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of succession occurs after a forest fire?

<p>Secondary succession.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of succession occurs after a volcanic eruption?

<p>Primary succession.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of succession occurs after a flood?

<p>Primary and secondary succession, depending if the soil is present or not.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of succession occurs after a landslide or mudslide?

<p>Primary and secondary succession, depending if the soil is present or not.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which process takes longer to reach a climax community?

<p>Primary succession.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a climax community?

<p>A climax community is a mature, stable group of plants and animals that is the end result of the succession process.</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>Approximately 150 years.</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>Approximately 500 - 1,000 years.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Define tsunami.

<p>Tsunami is a huge, fast-moving wave caused by an underwater earthquake or volcanic eruption.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Define disturbance.

<p>Disturbances are events that change an ecosystem.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Define flood.

<p>Floods are natural disturbances often caused by heavy rains.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Define wildfires.

<p>Wildfires start from natural events or human activities and can quickly move across an area killing plants and animals.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Sustainability of an ecosystem is dependent upon _____.

<p>Biodiversity</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>sustainability</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>Volcanoes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

List three effects of volcanoes on local ecosystems.

<ol> <li>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.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

List three effects of earthquakes on an ecosystem.

<ol> <li>Damage or destroy man-made structures. 2. Can trigger a tsunami. 3. Can build up or bring down mountains.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

List three effects of flooding.

<ol> <li>Can remove topsoil causing erosion and deposition. 2. Can damage habitats. 3. Can damage man-made structures.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical cause of tsunamis?

<p>Tsunamis are triggered by movement of tectonic plates beneath the ocean floor causing an earthquake.</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>Lichen is considered a producer so it is not dependent on other organisms to support its life. Additionally, it does not need soil to survive.</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>Fungus provides a growing surface, moisture, and nutrients for the algae or cyanobacterium. Algae (and/or cyanobacterium) is able to photosynthesize, providing nutrients to the fungus.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Ecological Succession

  • Defined as the gradual and orderly change in an environment, leading to the replacement of one plant community by another.
  • Can occur in two main forms: primary and secondary succession.

Pioneer Species

  • Primary succession begins with lichen as the pioneer species.
  • Secondary succession starts with grasses as the pioneer species.
  • Pioneer species are the first organisms to inhabit an area, initiating the succession process.

Importance of Pioneer Species

  • Pioneer species are often plants because they can photosynthesize and do not rely on other organisms for survival.

Types of Succession

  • Primary Succession occurs in lifeless areas with bare rock and no soil.
  • Secondary Succession takes place in areas where soil is already present, often after disturbances like wildfires or floods.

Disturbances and Succession

  • Wildfires and volcanic eruptions lead to secondary and primary succession, respectively.
  • Floods can initiate either type of succession depending on soil presence.
  • Landslides may also lead to both primary and secondary succession.

Climax Community

  • A climax community is a mature, stable ecosystem, representing the final stage of succession.
  • Takes approximately 500 to 1,000 years for primary succession to reach a climax community, while secondary succession takes about 150 years.

Biodiversity and Ecosystem Sustainability

  • Biodiversity is crucial for the sustainability of ecosystems; greater biodiversity enhances sustainability.

Environmental Disturbances

  • Tsunamis: Fast-moving waves caused by underwater earthquakes or volcanic eruptions.
  • Floods: Natural disturbances that can lead to erosion and damage habitats.
  • Wildfires: Can swiftly devastate flora and fauna through natural or human activities.

Effects of Natural Events

  • Volcanoes: Increase land mass, can destroy surrounding vegetation, release ash affecting growth, and initiate new ecosystems.
  • Earthquakes: Can cause destruction to infrastructure, trigger tsunamis, and alter landscapes.
  • Flooding: Leads to topsoil erosion, habitat destruction, and damage to human structures.

Lichen as Pioneer Species

  • Lichen thrives in harsh conditions; it is a producer and independent of soil and other organisms.
  • Composed of a symbiotic relationship between fungus and algae or cyanobacterium, where fungus provides support, and algae conduct photosynthesis to nourish the fungus.

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Description

This quiz covers the key concepts of ecological succession, including definitions and the types of pioneer species involved in primary and secondary succession. Test your knowledge on how ecosystems change and evolve over time with these flashcards.

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