Questions and Answers
What is restoration?
Returning damaged ecosystems to some set of conditions considered functional, sustainable, and natural.
Why is determining the restoration of an ecosystem difficult?
We don't know where to restore an ecosystem to as they are always changing. Different values lead to varied opinions on restoration points.
In the United States, which ecosystems need to be 'restored'?
Wetlands, Rivers, Streams, and Prairies.
What is ecological succession?
Signup and view all the answers
What is primary succession? Give an example.
Signup and view all the answers
What is secondary succession? Give an example.
Signup and view all the answers
What are the common elements of succession (four stages)?
Signup and view all the answers
What are pioneer species? Give an example.
Signup and view all the answers
What are late-successional species? Give an example.
Signup and view all the answers
Describe how biomass and biological diversity change at each of the successional stages.
Signup and view all the answers
Why does the storage of chemical elements generally increase during progression from early to middle stages of succession?
Signup and view all the answers
What are the three ways in which earlier and later species may interact during succession?
Signup and view all the answers
Define facilitation.
Signup and view all the answers
Define interference.
Signup and view all the answers
Define life history differences.
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Restoration of Ecosystems
- Restoration involves returning damaged ecosystems to functional, sustainable, and "natural" conditions.
- Difficulty in determining restoration points arises from the dynamic nature of ecosystems and varying opinions on ideal restoration conditions.
Key Ecosystems Needing Restoration
- In the United States, critical ecosystems requiring restoration include Wetlands, Rivers, Streams, and Prairies, which have experienced significant destruction.
Ecological Succession
- Ecological succession is the natural recovery process of disrupted ecosystems.
- Primary Succession involves establishment of an ecosystem where none existed before, such as forests on new lava flows or areas post-glacier recession.
- Secondary Succession occurs after disturbances like floods or fires, reestablishing previous ecosystems.
Stages of Succession
- Initial stage features small vegetation adapted to unstable conditions.
- The second stage involves small plants that grow rapidly and spread seeds effectively.
- Larger plants dominate in the third stage.
- A mature forest develops in the fourth stage.
Pioneer and Late-Successional Species
- Pioneer species, like green algae and grasses, are the first to colonize disturbed areas, initiating ecological succession.
- Late-successional species, such as oak trees, characterize the final stages of succession, indicating a stable ecosystem.
Biomass and Biodiversity in Succession
- Biomass and biodiversity increase from early to middle succession stages, then peak and decline in later stages, eventually stabilizing.
Storage of Chemical Elements
- Chemical element storage increases from early to middle succession due to rising organic matter, which helps prevent erosion and nutrient loss.
Species Interaction in Succession
- Earlier and later species may interact in succession through:
- Facilitation: One species prepares the environment for another.
- Interference: One species hampers the establishment of others.
- Life History Differences: Variations in growth rates and timelines affect which species colonize first.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Explore the principles of ecosystem restoration and ecological succession in this quiz. Learn about the processes that help return damaged ecosystems to their natural state, the significance of key ecosystems in the U.S. needing restoration, and the stages of succession. Test your understanding of these critical environmental concepts.