Ecological Succession

Question 1

What is ecological succession

Answer 1

Ecological succession is changes in composition of species in community of organisms present in an area over time .

Question 2

What is primary succession

Answer 2

Primary succession happens like colonisation where there has never been a community e.g bare rock, sand

Question 3

What is pioneer species

Answer 3

Pioneer species is the first species to colonise newly formed habitat or a habitat which has been cleared of vegetation

Question 4

Example of pioneer species

Answer 4

Example of pioneer species is
Lichen pioneer species, on bare rock, able to cope with extreme conditions, little soil e.g lack of nutrients, temperature
Break down rock and forms shallow soil
So plants with small roots can grow in shallow soil
Soil structure continues to change until trees can grow

Question 5

What is climax community

Answer 5

Climax community is stable community that succession reaches. Final stage of succession

Question 6

What is secondary succession

Answer 6

Secondary succession is when an existing community has been cleared e.g because of fire, field been ploughed

Question 7

Pioneer species in secondary succession on bare soil characteristics

Answer 7

Pioneer species in secondary succession on bare soil characteristics are:
Rapid growth
Wind dispersed seed
Abundant seed production

Question 8

What is deflected succession

Answer 8

Deflected succession is when climax community that is reached only remains stable because of human activity. E.g agriculture (grazing animals, ploughing)

Question 9

What are characteristics of pioneer species in primary succession

Answer 9

Characteristics of pioneer species in primary succession are:
Able to cope with extreme conditions e.g high/low temperature, lack of water, lack of soil and nutrients, high salt content.

Question 10

What is a dominant species

Answer 10

A dominant species is one which has an overriding influence in an ecosystem

Question 11

What are examples of pioneer species in primary and secondary succession

Answer 11

ExampleS of pioneer species in primary succession are:
Lichen, marram grass
Secondary succession:
Dandelions

Question 12

How do pioneer species get into habitat

Answer 12

Pioneer species get into habitat by:

Wind, water and animals

Question 13

What are characteristics of climax community

Answer 13

Characteristics of climax community are:
High biodiversity
Balanced equilibrium of species
Co-dominant animal species and plant species
Stable if no human influence