How does natural change occur in ecosystems? Flashcards

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1
Q

why does succession happen?

A
  • protect soil from being washed away by rain
  • provides nutrients when they decompose
  • add organic matter to the soil which holds onto moisture (roots)
  • bind soil together and stabilises it (roots)
  • acts as a wind break and provides shelter (leaves)
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2
Q

primary succession definition

A

-occurs on a surface that has had no previous vegetation

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3
Q

secondary succession defintion

A

succession that takes place on land that formerly vegetated but has undergone loss of that vegetation

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4
Q

plagioclimax definition

A

the plant community that exists when human interference prevents the climatic climax being reached

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5
Q

climax community defintion

A

plant species live in perfect balance with the current environmental conditions

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6
Q

why does succession occur?

A
  1. driven by internal, naturally occurring processes which change the soil and the environmental condition
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7
Q

why are roots of pioneer species important?

A

help break up and weather the surface, aiding soil formation

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8
Q

leaves act as a canopy

A

providing shelter from the sun and wind, allowing other plants to become established

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9
Q

when a plant dies

A

it decomposes which will add organic matter to the developing soil improving its structure and water retaining qualities

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