How does natural change occur in ecosystems? Flashcards
why does succession happen?
- 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)
primary succession definition
-occurs on a surface that has had no previous vegetation
secondary succession defintion
succession that takes place on land that formerly vegetated but has undergone loss of that vegetation
plagioclimax definition
the plant community that exists when human interference prevents the climatic climax being reached
climax community defintion
plant species live in perfect balance with the current environmental conditions
why does succession occur?
- driven by internal, naturally occurring processes which change the soil and the environmental condition
why are roots of pioneer species important?
help break up and weather the surface, aiding soil formation
leaves act as a canopy
providing shelter from the sun and wind, allowing other plants to become established
when a plant dies
it decomposes which will add organic matter to the developing soil improving its structure and water retaining qualities