ecological succession:
TRANSCRIPT
Ecological Succession:
http://www.mass.gov/envir/forest/images/multiLayerForest.jpg
Studying how ecological communities respond to change …
• Ecological communities = the plants and animals found in an area.
• Succession = Sequence of communities a region goes through over time.
• Change can occur for many reasons: new resources, disturbances, and biotic changes.
Sequence of communities = the order that communities change
Climax Community:
• A diverse, stable community.
• Usually the final community in succession.
http://www.uga.edu/aquarium/assets/NATURE%20IMAGES/mossoak.jpg
Primary Succession:
• A sequence of communities forming in an originally lifeless habitat (no soil).
•Very slow process due to lack of soil.
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What are some common disturbances leading to primary succession of an
area?• Volcanic eruption• Glaciers• Rock Slides (maybe
—depends if it’s just rock or rock and soil)
http://www.eos.ubc.ca/research/landslides/landslides_files/image019.jpg
http://nsidc.org/glaciers/gallery/images/glacial_retreat_nv.jpg
http://www.geo.mtu.edu/volcanoes/hazards/primer/images/volc-images/puuoo.jpg
Primary Succession• Pioneer Species = the first
species to inhabit an otherwise lifeless area
• For example: lichen– Lichen is fungi and algae living
together in a mutually beneficial (symbiotic) relationship:
– Algae = makes its own food and provides food for the fungi
– Fungi = breaks down organic material and makes soil
Inhabit = to live in
www.ccs.k12.in.us
Secondary Succession
• A sequence of communities forming in an area with soil.
• Usually when a region has been cleared by a disturbance that does not destroy the soil.
What are some common disturbances that can lead to changes?
• Flood• Fire• Hurricanes• Tornadoes• Human activity• Rock Slides
http://www.weathersafety.ohio.gov/images/aerial-flood06_350.jpg
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http://www.atmo.ttu.edu/Hill%20City%20Tornado%20Enhanced.jpg
http://serc.carleton.edu/images/research_education/nativelands/nezperce/logging.jpg
http://www.eos.ubc.ca/research/landslides/landslides_files/image019.jpg
Secondary Succession …
• Plants that were not able to compete with pine now can grow.
For example, after this rockslide:
Succession Review
• Pioneer species comes in
• First species of plant to arrive after a disturbance.
• Generally are plants that grow quickly and produce many seeds.
(weeds)Fireweed
Succession Review …
• As time progresses, taller grass grows and shades out pioneer species.
• Better roots take nutrients from soil faster
• Pioneer species cannot compete and die out.