Introduction to Ecological Succession
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Questions and Answers

What is the role of pioneer species in an ecosystem?

  • They do not survive under harsh conditions.
  • They initiate the soil-building process. (correct)
  • They primarily compete with established species for resources.
  • They are the last species to appear in an ecosystem.

Which stage is characterized by tall grasses and small shrubs?

  • Second Stage (correct)
  • Third Stage
  • Pioneer Stage
  • Climax Community

What process involves species establishing themselves in an area after migrating?

  • Ecesis (correct)
  • Stabilization
  • Intraspecific Competition
  • Aggregation

What is the climax community in an ecological succession?

<p>The stage where no further changes occur. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of succession occurs when plant growth starts in aquatic environments?

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

Which of the following describes the aggregation process in ecological succession?

<p>The increase in species numbers that leads to forming close communities. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the reaction mechanism in ecology refer to?

<p>The ways living organisms modify their environment. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of lichens as pioneer species?

<p>They require soil for survival. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used for plant succession that begins in extremely dry places?

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

What distinguishes secondary succession from primary succession?

<p>It requires a seed bank in the soil. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In which phase of succession does the creation of a bare area occur?

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

What is a climatic climax?

<p>A climax community controlled only by climate. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the process of ecesis in plant succession?

<p>The successful establishment of species. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What occurs during the termination phase of succession?

<p>Habitat conditions stabilize. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is an edaphic climax characterized by?

<p>Multiple climax communities influenced by local substrate conditions. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which event is part of the initiation phase in succession?

<p>Immigration of species or propagules. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is indicated by the arrows in the models of succession presented?

<p>Species replace one another (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does apparent competition mainly differ from direct competition?

<p>It occurs indirectly through shared predation (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the effect of the population increase of grass aphids on nettle aphids?

<p>Nettle aphids experienced increased predation from Coccinellidae (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of competition can be stronger than direct competition?

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

What is a potential consequence of increased predator populations in an ecosystem?

<p>Decline in one or both prey populations (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How can apparent competition arise due to invasive species?

<p>It increases competition for resources among native plants (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of competition occurs when organisms compete indirectly through a common predator?

<p>Apparent competition (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What might happen to a plateaued prey species if its competitor's population increases significantly?

<p>It is likely to become endangered (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is an edaphic climax?

<p>A community that cannot develop a climatic climax due to soil and other disturbances. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which scenario best describes a catastrophic climax?

<p>The recolonization of vegetation following a wildfire in a mature ecosystem. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What defines a disclimax community?

<p>A stable vegetation maintained by human activities or livestock. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary idea of Monoclimax Theory?

<p>All regions are eventually dominated by a single climax community shaped by regional climate. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which concept posits that multiple environmental factors control the climax of a community?

<p>Polyclimax Theory (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes a preclimax community?

<p>Lower life forms than those in the expected climatic climax. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens during the subclimax stage of succession?

<p>It is the final vegetative stage before reaching the climatic climax. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the distinction between postclimax and preclimax communities?

<p>Postclimax has higher life forms; preclimax has lower. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is intraspecific competition?

<p>Competition between individuals of the same species (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which scenario best represents indirect competition?

<p>Monkeys using the same pond for water but living in different areas (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes exploitative competition?

<p>Competition based on a shared limiting resource (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of competition involves direct interaction among organisms?

<p>Interference competition (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of competition occurs when species thrive on a shared resource but do not interact physically?

<p>Indirect competition (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the scenario where kangaroo males fight for mating rights, what type of competition is this an example of?

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

What distinguishes apparent competition from other types of competition?

<p>It is based on the presence of one species affecting the other's prey availability. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why are plants unable to grow too close together, according to intraspecific competition principles?

<p>They release chemicals that inhibit each other's growth. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Introduction to Ecological Succession

  • Succession: The gradual process of change in a community over time.
  • Pioneer Species: The first species to colonize a barren habitat, like lichens or mosses.
  • Climax Community: The final, stable community in a succession; in equilibrium with the climate.

Stages of Succession

  • Initiation: Begins with the creation of a bare area and involves migration and establishment of species.
  • Continuation: Characterized by competition for resources among established species.
  • Termination: The community reaches stability and maintains equilibrium with the habitat.

Types of Primary Succession

  • Hydrach (Hydrosere): Succession starting in water.
  • Xerach (Xerosere): Succession starting in a desert or extremely dry environment.
  • Mesarch: Succession with adequate moisture.
  • Lithosere: Succession starting on rocks.
  • Psammosere: Succession starting on sand.
  • Halosere: Succession in saline water or soil.

Secondary Succession

  • Occurs in habitats where communities were partially or entirely destroyed but soil remains intact.
  • Proceeds faster than primary succession as soil and a seed bank are already present.

Climax Community Types

  • Climatic Climax: A single climax community determined by the region's climate.
  • Edaphic Climax: Multiple climax communities within a region due to local substrate variations like soil type.
  • Catastrophic Climax: Climax vegetation vulnerable to catastrophic events like wildfires.
  • Disclimax (Disturbance Climax): A stable, non-climatic community maintained by human activities.
  • Subclimax: A community preceding the climatic climax.
  • Preclimax: A community with life forms lower than those in the expected climatic climax.
  • Postclimax: A community with life forms higher than those in the expected climatic climax.

Theories about Climax Concept

  • Mono climax Theory: Proposes a single climax community within each region, determined by climate.
  • Polyclimax Theory: Emphasizes that multiple factors, not just climate, shape the climax community.
  • Climax-Pattern Hypothesis: Considers the role of multiple factors in shaping the climax community along environmental gradients.

Competition

  • Apparent Competition: Indirect competition between species with the same predator.
  • Exploitation Competition: Species compete indirectly by utilizing a shared limiting resource.
  • Interference Competition: Direct competition where organisms physically interfere with one another.

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Description

Explore the gradual process of ecological succession, including its stages and pioneer species. Understand the differences between types of primary succession, such as hydrach and xerach. This quiz will test your knowledge of how communities evolve over time and reach stability.

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