Succession Flashcards
Define “succession”
occurs when a community alters its environment so that the original community is replaced by another community
What are the two types of succession?
Primary and secondary
Define “sere”
term given to each successive community that forms as ecosystem changes over time
What is the 1st sere known as?
pioneer community
What is the climax community?
a final stable community
What conditions may exist in pioneer communities?
lack of nutrients and water, exposure, lack of competition, symbiotic relationship with soil bacteria to fox nitrogen, shade intolerant, drought tolerant, r-selected reproductive strategies
Contrast primary and secondary succession
Primary - occurs when a barren area is colonised by organisms for first time, soil needs to reform
Secondary - occurs in areas that have experienced disturbance which has removed vegetation, soil already formed
What are pioneer species?
species that form the 1st community or sere on a barren or recently disturbed environment
How do pioneer species facilitate soil formation changes?
increased soil fertility, decreased soil temperature, increased soil moisture and change soil pH
Give an example of secondary succession.
Eutrophication
build up of nutrients in water, a non-excessive increase in these is taken up by plants at an increased rate to balance the inputs/outputs
Draw a table to contrast and compare primary and secondary succession
P = no soil, no previous land, formed from volcanoes, sand dunes, glacier recession, slower than secondary, pioneer plants first to grow
S = soil present, preexisting land, forms after human impact or natural disasters, faster than primary, no need for pioneer plants
B = progress to mature/climax stage, types of succession, have biotic and abiotic factors
