Ecological Succession Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the process of directional change in communities over time called?

  • Succession (correct)
  • Adaptation
  • Revolution
  • Evolution

Which type of succession occurs after a volcanic eruption?

  • Secondary succession
  • Primary succession (correct)
  • Quaternary succession
  • Tertiary succession

What is the main factor that distinguishes primary from secondary succession?

  • Nutrient availability (correct)
  • Species diversity
  • Presence of living organisms
  • Time duration

Which event would most likely trigger secondary succession?

<p>Forest fire (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic defines a sterile habitat in terms of plant life?

<p>$0$ nutrient availability (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between early successional species and late successional species?

<p>Life span (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of succession, what is the role of pioneer species?

<p>Modify the environment to facilitate later species (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which model of succession involves only the chance survival of different species and random colonization by new species?

<p>Random colonization model (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What common characteristic is shared by late successional species?

<p>Longer life span (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In secondary succession, when can it occur?

<p>After any size disturbance (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which scenario involves an early successional species with a rapid growth rate and shade intolerance?

<p>Scenario 2 (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

'The invasion of alder dramatically changes soil pH, inhibiting the growth of early species' - This statement refers to which type of succession?

<p>Primary succession (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

'Species 2: moderate growth, longer life' - In which scenario is Species 2 described with this growth pattern?

<p>'Scenario 1' (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

'Community progresses to ultimate stage — a stable climax community' - This statement aligns with which classical idea of succession?

<p>'Facilitation model' (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

'Pioneer plants, as well as gulls, helped later plants establish' - This statement exemplifies which model of succession?

<p>'Facilitation model' (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Ecological Community

An assemblage of populations living in a specific area or habitat.

Succession

The process of directional change in communities over time.

Primary Succession

Colonization of new, sterile habitats, like after a volcanic eruption or glaciations.

Secondary Succession

Re-colonization of previously disturbed sites, like after fire or flood.

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Early Successional Species

Species that thrive in low-nutrient soils, grow quickly, have small seeds, disperse widely, and have short lifespans.

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Late Successional Species

Species that require nutrient-rich soil, grow slowly, have large seeds, disperse locally, and live for a long time.

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Facilitation in Succession

Early species make the environment suitable for later species.

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Inhibition in Succession

Early species prevent the establishment of later species.

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Tolerance in Succession

Any species can start succession, and the presence of early species isn't crucial.

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Random Colonization in Succession

Succession depends on chance survival and random colonization.

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Climax Community

A stable, mature community that forms after succession, characterized by a balance of species.

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Facilitation with a Twist

Pioneer species prepare the way for later species, but the process isn't always predictable.

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Lake Michigan Sand Dunes Succession

Plants colonize sand dunes in a specific order, from hardy grasses to trees.

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Arthropod Succession on Carrion

Succession on a dead animal, showing predictable changes in insect populations.

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Study Notes

Ecological Community

  • An ecological community is an assemblage of populations living in a prescribed area or habitat
  • Ecological communities are not stationary and continue to change over time

Succession

  • Succession is the process of directional change in communities over time
  • Two types of succession: primary succession and secondary succession

Primary Succession

  • Primary succession is the colonization of new, sterile habitats
  • Examples: after volcanic eruption or glaciations
  • Characteristics of primary succession:
    • Sterile habitats (no plants, no seeds, no bacteria in soil)
    • Low or no nutrient availability
    • Erosion

Primary Succession on Mount St. Helens

  • Number of species occurring in 1-m^2 plot near the south cone of Mount St. Helens after its 1980 eruption
  • Number of species reached a plateau 10-15 years after the eruption

Primary Succession: Glacial Moraines in Alaska

  • Successional development following the retreat of glaciers
  • Invasion of alder dramatically changes soil pH, inhibiting early species and facilitating later-stage species

Secondary Succession

  • Secondary succession is the re-colonization of disturbed sites
  • Examples: after fire, flood, avalanche
  • Characteristics of secondary succession:
    • Seed banks of plants that occur later in succession are present
    • Bacteria and other soil organisms are present

Characteristics of Early and Late Successional Species

  • Early successional species:
    • Ability to grow in low-nutrient soils
    • Fast growing
    • Small seeds
    • Long dispersal
    • Short-lived
  • Late successional species:
    • Unable to survive in low-nutrient soils
    • Slower growth
    • Large seeds
    • Short dispersal
    • Longer life span

Concept of Succession

  • Facilitation: early species in succession facilitate the arrival of late species
  • Inhibition: species present early in succession inhibit the establishment of later species
  • Tolerance: presence of early successional species is not essential; any species can start succession
  • Random colonization: succession involves only the chance survival of different species and the random colonization by new species

Classical Idea of Succession (Facilitation Model)

  • Pioneer species colonize habitat
  • Each species modifies the environment, facilitating the arrival of later species
  • Community progresses to an ultimate stage — a stable climax community

Case Study: Surtsey, Iceland

  • Facilitation model of succession with a twist
  • Pioneer plants and gulls helped later plants establish
  • Number of higher plants present on the volcanic island of Surtsey, Iceland, after the eruption

Case Study: Lake Michigan Sand Dunes

  • Plant succession on the sand dunes of northern Lake Michigan
  • Examples: Marram grass, pine trees, willow shrubs, juniper bushes, and bracken fern

Case Study: Insects on Carrion

  • Hypothetical diagram of arthropod succession on a carcass
  • Populations of differing sizes of a given species as the succession proceeds

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