5B1 Ecological Succession

Question 1

What is ecological succession?

Answer 1

The process in which disturbed regions are colonized by organisms that are gradually replaced by new species.

Question 2

What are the stages involved in ecological succession?

Answer 2

• Initial Conditions (Equilibrium)
• Disturbance
• Colonization
• Competition
• Succession
• Climax

Question 3

What is the importance of initial conditions in ecological succession?

Answer 3

Initial conditions help to determine the species that will be able to pioneer the ecosystem and what will be able to live there successfully in the future.

Question 4

What is the role of the disturbance in ecological succession?

Answer 4

The event that severely damages or destroys the existing ecosystem, leading to little or no life remaining in the area.

Question 5

What are examples of disturbances that could lead to ecological succession?

Answer 5

• Volcanic Eruptions
• Fires
• Logging
• Hurricanes

Question 6

What is primary succession?

Answer 6

Succession that occurs when there is little to no soil left after a significant geological event, with colonization by microscopic organisms and pioneer species.

Example: The recovery of the Mount Saint Helens region after the 1980 eruption.

Question 7

What is secondary succession?

Answer 7

Succession that occurs after an existing landscape has been altered by human activities or natural events, allowing plant species to establish themselves more quickly.

There is still soil left in place.

Example: The recovery of chaparral ecosystems after a wildfire.

Question 8

What is colonization in ecological succession?

Answer 8

The return of tiny organisms to the damaged ecosystem after a disturbance.

Question 9

What is competition in ecological succession?

Answer 9

The process where colonizing organisms change environmental conditions, leading to resource competition as biodiversity increases.

Question 10

What is the climax stage in ecological succession?

Answer 10

The final stage where a climax community is formed with minimal resource competition and no further replacement of dominant plant species.

The community has returned to equilibrium.

Question 11

What are fire followers?

Answer 11

Plants that grow shortly after a wildfire due to adaptations like roots that spread deep into the ground and seed pods opened by fire.

Examples:
* Fire Poppies
* Whispering Bells
* Golden Eardrops

Question 12

What are pioneer species?

Answer 12

The first wave of species that repopulate the environment after a disturbance, usually hardy primary producers.

Question 13

What are examples of pioneer species?

Answer 13

• Lichens
• Algae
• Moss

Question 14

How do pioneer species help to contribute to the creation of soil?

Answer 14

Pioneer species are able to grow on barren rocks, and contribute to the weathering process which in turn creates soil.

Question 15

How does biodiversity affect ecological succession?

Answer 15

As biodiversity grows, resource competition increases, leading to the formation of a climax community.

Question 16

How do we know a climax community has been reached after succession?

Answer 16

The community has reached a steady state in which organisms have found their niche.

Question 17

What type of succession is being described in the following scenario? A new island emerges from the ocean due to volcanic activity. The island has no soil or vegetation. Over time, life begins to colonize the barren landscape.

Answer 17

Primary succession

Question 18

What type of succession is being described in the following scenario? A wildfire has gone through a forest and disturbed the vegetation that was found there. Over time grasses, shrubs and other plants begin to grow back.

Answer 18

Secondary Succession

Question 19

Why is it important for climax communities to have a large amount of biodiversity?

Answer 19

An increase in biodiversity leads to an increase in genetic variation that can bring about beneficial traits.

Question 20

Why is ecological succession important in ecosystems?

Answer 20

Succession causes ecosystems to evolve meaning the organisms that are best suited for the environment will thrive contributing to the biodiversity of the ecosystem.

Higher biodiversity mean the ecosystem is able to recover more easily from disturbances.

Question 21

What factors will influence the rate of succession?

Answer 21

• Type of disturbance.
• Soil Quality.
• Availability of biotic factors.
• Interactions among species in the ecosystem.

Question 22

How do human activities impact ecological succession?

Answer 22

Human activities such as construction and pollution disrupt resource availability in ecosystems eventually leading to habitat loss, and reduced biodiversity.

Question 23

What is a keystone species and why is it important?

Answer 23

A keystone species is an organism that is necessary for the success of an ecosystem. If this organism were to be removed from its habitat the ecosystem would be changed entirely.

Question 24

What are some examples of common keystone species?

Answer 24

• Sea Otters
• Coral
• Grizzly Bears
• Honey Bees

Question 25

What are the **challenges** of studying ecological succession?

Answer 25

Succession takes place over such a long period, involves very complex organisms interactions, and is influences by factors such as climate change making it is difficult to study.

Question 26

How can understanding ecological succession aid conservationists in developing more effective conservation strategies?

Answer 26

Understanding succession helps conservationists identify how ecosystems are able to recover after a disturbance so that they are able to implement strategies that can help conserve an ecosystem that is struggling.

Question 27

How does **biodiversity change** throughout the stages of ecological succession?

Answer 27

Biodiversity is very low when biodiversity began, but continually increases until a climax community with high biodiversity is reached.

Question 28

What role do **animals** play in the process of ecological succession?

Answer 28

Animals interact with their environments in a way that is able to disperse seeds, change the soil composition and help to control the growth of vegetation in an area, ultimately leading to an increase in biodiversity.

Question 29

What are some examples of **human-induced disturbances** that can lead to secondary succession?

Answer 29

* Deforestation * Agriculture * Housing developments * Pollution

Question 30

How do **invasive species** affect the process of ecological succession?

Answer 30

An invasive species can disrupt succession by consuming valuable resources and disturbing established interactions within ecosystems, which can eventually lead to reduced biodiversity due to a lack of available resources.