Ecosystem Restoration and Succession Overview

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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?

The natural recovery of a destroyed ecosystem. Signup and view all the answers

What is primary succession? Give an example.

The initial establishment and development of an ecosystem where one did not exist previously, such as forestation over new lava flows. Signup and view all the answers

What is secondary succession? Give an example.

The reestablishment of an ecosystem following disturbances, such as development after floods or fires. Signup and view all the answers

What are the common elements of succession (four stages)?

<ol> <li>Initial vegetation adapted to unstable conditions. 2. Small plants that grow rapidly and spread seeds. 3. Larger plants begin to dominate. 4. Mature forest develops.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What are pioneer species? Give an example.

The first to colonize previously disrupted ecosystems, examples include green algae and grasses. Signup and view all the answers

What are late-successional species? Give an example.

Plant species that dominate the late stages of succession, such as oak trees. Signup and view all the answers

Describe how biomass and biological diversity change at each of the successional stages.

Biomass and biodiversity increase from early to middle stages and then climax, dropping back down during the later 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?

Storage of chemical elements increases due to the rise in organic matter, which prevents erosion. Signup and view all the answers

What are the three ways in which earlier and later species may interact during succession?

Facilitation, Interference, and Life History Differences. Signup and view all the answers

Define facilitation.

One species paves the way for the next. Signup and view all the answers

Define interference.

One species prevents the entrance of later species. Signup and view all the answers

Define life history differences.

The difference in the life histories of some species allows some to arrive first and grow quickly while others arrive later and grow slowly. 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.

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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.