Succession Flashcards
What is a chronosequence?
Sites showing different stages of plants since abandonment.
What are pioneer species?
The first species to colonise bare ground, such as moss which is able to aid moisture retention for other species. Teasel, red clover and st johns wort are also examples which are able to grow quickly and so are able to outcompete other species.
What is the grassland stage?
2 years later there are new environmental conditions as slower colonisers emerge and decomposition of plants increases nitrogen. This can also encourage herbivorous invertebrates and plants.
What are the conditions of bare ground?
There is no competition between plants, the soil is mobile and likely to erode, bare soil is able to absorb and reflect more heat, drier environment as plants don’t hold moisture.
What are the conditions fo established grassland?
Intense plant competition for space, light, nutrients and water, plants increase humidity and nutrient levels increase.
What is sere?
The sequence of succession
What is xerosere?
Terrestrial succession
What is hydrosere?
Aquatic succession
What is a climax community?
An ecological community reached at the end of succession where plants and animals remain stable and exist in balance with each other.
What is secondary succession?
It occurs after disturbance, such as fires, that do not kill all life.
What are examples of autogenic succession?
Soil development and vegetation structure.
What are examples of allogenic succession?
External influences such as climatic changes, animal influences and pathogens
