Ecology: Succession and Extinction Overview

Questions and Answers

Which disturbance would result in primary succession? (Select all that apply)

The effect of a large herd of elephants on the grasses and shrubs in an area

Harvesting wheat by using a combine harvester at the end of the growing season

Controlled burning to stimulate the growth of forest trees such as sequoia

The formation of Surtsey, a volcanic island off of the southern coast of Iceland (correct)

According to the pie chart, which cause results in the most extinctions?

Habitat loss

Hunting and poaching

Other

Introduced species (correct)

What is most likely to result immediately after a rainforest in Brazil is clear-cut?

Increased biodiversity

Secondary succession (correct)

Primary succession

A climax community

Which type of diversity is being lost as the population of rhinoceroses becomes very small?

Genetic diversity Signup and view all the answers

How are rhinoceroses classified under the Endangered Species Act?

Endangered Signup and view all the answers

Which factors involving the activities of people are a threat to biodiversity?

Poaching and habitat loss Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes ecological succession?

It occurs after a disturbance. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of a pioneer species in primary succession?

To produce the soil Signup and view all the answers

Which bar graph best represents the provided data?

D Signup and view all the answers

Which type of process first occurred in the ecosystem around Mount St. Helens after it erupted?

Primary succession Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Succession and Extinction

Primary succession occurs in an environment devoid of soil and life, exemplified by the formation of Surtsey, a volcanic island in Iceland.
Introduced species are the leading cause of extinctions according to provided data.
After the clear-cutting of a rainforest, secondary succession is likely to follow, allowing the ecosystem to rebound.
Poaching of rhinoceroses at rates of two or three per week in Africa and Asia leads to a significant loss in genetic diversity as their population dwindles.
Rhinoceroses are classified as endangered under the Endangered Species Act due to their critically low numbers approaching extinction.
Biodiversity is threatened by human activities, particularly through poaching and habitat loss, which devastate ecosystems.
Ecological succession is a natural process that occurs after a disturbance in an ecosystem.
Pioneer species play a crucial role in primary succession by producing soil, paving the way for other plants to grow.
A bar graph showed that introduced species account for 39% of total extinctions, habitat loss for 36%, hunting and poaching for 23%, and other causes for 2%.
The volcanic eruption of Mount St. Helens in 1980 initiated primary succession as the ecosystem began to recover and rebuild from the disturbance.

Description

This quiz explores the concepts of ecological succession, focusing on primary and secondary succession, as well as the impacts of human activities on biodiversity. It examines the roles of introduced species and poaching in causing extinctions, highlighting the plight of rhinoceroses and the importance of pioneer species in ecosystem recovery.