Vegetation Succession and Carbon Dynamics

What type of vegetation is found at the climatic climax in the UK?

What is the term used to describe the final stage of ecological succession where a dynamic balance is achieved?

How does carbon storage change during a vegetation succession over time?

During the process of succession, which type of species is known to initiate the process?

What role do decomposers play in the carbon cycle during vegetation succession?

What is the primary function of pioneer species like moss in the carbon cycle?

How does the death of pioneer species affect carbon storage?

What abiotic process is crucial for releasing carbon from bare rock during vegetation succession?

What is indicated by the term 'lithoSERE' in vegetation succession?

What impact does larger plant growth have on carbon storage?

What ultimately happens to the lichen in the ecosystem after a succession process?

What role do decomposers play in the carbon cycle during vegetation succession?

Which of the following statements best describes how abiotic and biotic conditions interact during succession?

Vegetation Succession

Vegetation succession is a process that changes the mix of species and habitat in an area over time.
It starts on bare rock (lithoSERE).
The progression of an ecosystem depends on biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) conditions.

Abiotic Factors

Chemical weathering of rock releases carbon dioxide (CO2).

Biotic Factors

Pioneer species like moss grow and photosynthesize, taking CO2 from the atmosphere and storing it in their biosphere.
They also respire, releasing CO2 back into the atmosphere.
As pioneer species die, they decompose, releasing CO2 into the biosphere and adding to the humus layer, which stores more carbon.
The humus layer creates conditions that allow larger plants to grow.

Carbon Storage and Transfer

Larger plants increase photosynthesis and respiration, transferring more carbon within the ecosystem.
The pedosphere (soil) stores more carbon as the humus layer develops.

Dynamic Equilibrium

The final stage of succession is a dynamic equilibrium, where the balance of inputs and outputs of carbon is equal on average.
The climatic climax vegetation in the UK is deciduous oak woodland.

Hydrosere

A hydrosere is a succession that starts in water.
Carbon storage and transfer change as the hydrosere develops.

Summary of Carbon Storage Changes

The amount of carbon stored in a vegetation succession increases over time.
This is because decomposition develops soils/humus and vegetation grows bigger.
Dynamic equilibrium is achieved when the balance between carbon storage and transfer is reached.
In the UK, deciduous oak woodland is the climatic climax vegetation, representing the final stage of succession.

Explore the intricate processes of vegetation succession, from initial colonization by pioneer species to the development of complex ecosystems. This quiz covers the roles of biotic and abiotic factors in carbon storage and transfer within different habitats. Test your knowledge on how ecosystems evolve over time and the importance of dynamic equilibrium.