Community Succession

Question 1

Succession

Answer 1

change in species composition over time which often occurs after a disturbance

Question 2

Primary succession

Answer 2

occurs when new land is formed or bare rock is exposed, providing a habitat that can be colonized for the first time…new rock formed after volcanic eruptions

Question 3

What is the first to colonize in primary succession?

Answer 3

species with seeds/spores that can disperse long distances and tolerate harsh conditions

r-selected
the many small seeds/spores can be distributed via wind

Question 4

Primary selection after r-selected species have established…

Answer 4

colonizable by k-selected species
species with seeds that are dispersed by animals AND require deeper soil to grow

k-selected species
species that grow relatively large
can outcompete r-selected species

Question 5

Secondary succession

Answer 5

occurs when a community has no plants, but organic soil is still present (after intense fire or flood that kills all plants)

Question 6

In secondary succession, what is the first to sprout?

Answer 6

species whose seeds and/or roots remained in the soil, and that can grow quickly

-usually pioneer or r-selected species
-have relatively high growth rate, r

annual plants and grasses

Question 7

In secondary succession, what is later to sprout?

Answer 7

species with seeds that need shade/wet soils to grow will not be able to survive early in the successional timeline

-usually k-selected species
-once established they can outcompete r-selected species

shrubs, pines, oaks, etc.