Succession

Question 1

define the term succession

Answer 1

a progressive change in a community of organisms over time

Question 2

what is primary succession

Answer 2

development of a community of organisms on what was bare rock with no soil

e,g island of surtsey due to volcanic activity

Question 3

explain the stages of primary succession

Answer 3

pioneer community
1) pioneer species colonise rock and are able to survive in harsh conditions and have adaptations e.g nitrogen fixation e.g lichen and algae

intermediate community
2) erosion of rock and build up of organic matter will form thin soil = grass, ferns devvelop then shrubs and trees

climax community
3)stable community , dominated by few tree species, little change over time

Question 4

how does a pioneer community and climax community differ

Answer 4

pinoeer has lower biodiversity, lower biomass, less stable

Question 5

define secondary succession
examples

Answer 5

a gradual change in the community of organisms inhabiting disturbed land - already has soil

e.g forest fire

Question 6

why is secondary succession faster than primary succession

Answer 6

because the soil is already there

Question 7

what is deflected succession, what is the new climax community called?

Answer 7

when human activity prevents a normal climax community from developing

new climax community is called plagioclimax