Ecology: Primary and Secondary Succession

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to Lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

Primary Succession would most likely occur after which of the following?

  • Growth of plants after a forest is destroyed by fire
  • Clearing and farming
  • Forest-clearing
  • A lava flow (correct)

What is one difference between primary and secondary succession?

Secondary succession begins on soil, while primary succession begins on a newly exposed surface.

A tropical rain forest may not return to its original climax community after which of the following?

  • Lava flow
  • Clearing and farming (correct)
  • Forest fire
  • Flood

An example of human-caused disturbance is?

<p>Forest-clearing</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is likely to be a pioneer species?

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

What kind of natural disturbances help some forest communities?

<p>Floods and forest fires</p> Signup and view all the answers

Succession is possible because?

<p>New species make the environment less suitable for previous ones.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of secondary succession?

<p>Growth of plants after a forest is destroyed by fire (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not a likely component of soil formed during primary succession?

<p>Pre-existing soil (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of succession occurs after a volcano?

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

A landslide causes part of a mountainside to fall away. In the years immediately following the landslide, the area will experience?

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

An invasive species is also considered?

<p>Exotic species</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a benefit of invasive species?

<p>European Honey Bee (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is an invasive species?

<p>Non-native organisms that spread widely in a community.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards are hidden until you start studying

Study Notes

Primary and Secondary Succession

  • Primary succession occurs on surfaces devoid of soil, such as after a lava flow or volcanic activity.
  • Secondary succession starts in areas with existing soil and is triggered by disturbances like fires or landslides.
  • Disturbances, both natural (e.g. floods, forest fires) and human-caused (e.g. forest-clearing), can reset ecological succession.
  • A tropical rainforest may not revert to its original climax community after substantial clearing and farming.
  • Pioneer species, such as lichen, are crucial for primary succession as they initiate the process of soil formation.
  • Secondary succession can be exemplified by the growth of plants after a forest is destroyed by fire, utilizing the existing soil.
  • During primary succession, soil composition lacks organic material from mature plants like shrubs and trees.
  • New species in an ecosystem often outcompete existing ones, making the environment unsuitable for the previous dominant species.
  • Invasive species, also known as exotic species, can often disrupt local ecosystems; however, some can provide benefits, such as the European Honey Bee in pollination.
  • Invasive species are defined as non-native organisms that proliferate within a community and may alter the existing ecological dynamics significantly.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Quiz Team

More Like This

Use Quizgecko on...
Browser
Browser