Ecological Succession Flashcards
What is a pioneer species and what are it’s features?
The first species to colonise an inhospitable environment
Produce large quantities of seeds that easily disperse
Rapid germination of seeds
Ability to fix nitrogen from the atmosphere
Tolerance to extreme conditions
Stages of succession
Weathering produces soil and lichens die and decompose releasing nutrients to support a community of small plants - changing the abiotic environment
Rock erodes and dead organisms thicken the layer of soil, building it up and again changing the environment
Larger species can grow and a climax community is reached
What are climax communities?
Communities at a stable state with a balanced equilibrium of species with few new species replacing those already established
What are the main reasons for conservation?
Ethical reasons - respect for living things
Economic - giant gene pools with the capacity to make millions of substances e.g medicine
Aesthetic - inspires those in the arts and means a lot to some communities
