19.5 — succession

Question 1

what is succession?

Answer 1

the process by which ecosystems change over time due to changes in the environment, causing the plant and animals present to change

Question 2

what can occur as environmental conditions change?

Answer 2

different species can colonise, outcompete, and replace the species that were there previously

Question 3

what are the two main forms of succession?

Answer 3

1. primary succession
2. secondary succession

Question 4

when does primary succession occur?

Answer 4

on newly formed or exposed land with no soil or organic material

Question 5

when does secondary succession occur?

Answer 5

in areas where an existing community has been removed, leaving the soil intact but no plant or animal species

Question 6

what is an example of an environment where primary succession would occur?

Answer 6

fresh volcanic lava

Question 7

what is an example of an environment where secondary succession would occur?

Answer 7

an area that has experiences a forest fire

Question 8

what are the stages of succession?

Answer 8

1. initial colonisation by pioneer communities
2. alteration of conditions by pioneer species
3. settlement by intermediate communities
4. diversification of immediate communities
5. development of climax communities

Question 9

what are the typical adaptions of pioneer communities include?

Answer 9

1. ability to reproduce asexuality
2. seeds that are dispersed in by wind
3. rapid germination
4. the ability to photosynthesise
5. nitrogen fixation to enrich soil
6. extreme condition tolerance