Succession

Question 0

What is the first stage in succession?

Answer 0

The colonisation of an inhospitable environment by a pioneer species

Question 1

Define succession

Answer 1

The changes in an ecosystem over time, including the species that occupy a particular area

Question 2

What sort of features often make pioneer species suited to colonisation?

Answer 2

Rapid germination of seeds, the ability to photosynthesise, ability to fix nitrogen from the atmosphere and tolerance to extreme conditions

Question 3

What is a climax community?

Answer 3

The organisms that make up the final stage of ecological succession

Question 4

During succession, what are the five common features that emerge?

Answer 4

The non-living environment becomes less hostile, a greater number and variety of habitats, increased biodiversity, more complex food webs and increased biomass

Question 5

What sort of colonisers are involved in ecological succession?

Answer 5

Primary, secondary and tertiary