6.3.1 Succession

Question 1

What is succession

Answer 1

The process by which an ecosystem changes over time. This can be seen as you move inland from beach, with species becoming more diverse as you move away from the beach. Succession occurs due to changes in abiotic factors ultimately changing the different types of organism that the ecosystem can support

Question 2

What is primary succession

Answer 2

Occurs when there is newly formed land. E.g. a volcanic island that has formed in the pacific

Question 3

What is secondary succession?

Answer 3

Already have soil, but no animal or plant species. Maybe after a forest fire, after drop harvest or deforestation

Question 4

What does succession take place in?

Answer 4

It takes place in stages, each stage called the seral stage. And at each seral stage, key species can be identified that change the abiotic factors, especially in the soil making it more suitable for the existence of the next species

Question 5

What is the pioneer community

Answer 5

First stage of succession, contains pioneer species which arrive before the climax.they are subject to change, they are low biodiverse, it is the least stable stage and there is low biomass. E.g. lychen and moss.

They arrive through spores or seeds carried by the wind

Question 6

Why are pioneer species important

Answer 6

The seeds can germinate rapidly and release spores
They can fix nitrogen, they can photosynthesise, they can tolerate extreme conditions, they creates the beginning layers of soil humus, which will then support later species

Question 7

What is the intermediate community

Answer 7

When the pioneer species die, they are to the soil humus which allows it to support grasses and small flowering pants. These then outcompete the pioneer species

Question 8

What is the climax community

Answer 8

Intermediate species die off, adding to the humus, making it thicker. This humus can support larger shrubs and trees which outcompete the intermediate species for light and nutrients. Key species are oak or hickory. This is the most stable and biodiverse.

Question 9

What animals are supported in each serial stage

Answer 9

As serial stage goes, it can support bigger and bigger species. During pioneer, it could support primary consumers, intermediate could support 2ndsry consumersrabbits and climax foxes etc… and finally tertiary and quaternary

Question 10

What is deflected succession

Answer 10

When human activity halts the natural flow of succession and preventing it from reaching its climax community. This results in a plagioclimax. This can be things like mowing lawn, forest fire, grazing, clearing shrubbery for crops