Succession (5.4)

Question 1

Give the definition of primary and secondary succession

Answer 1

Primary = newly exposed/formed rock is colonized by living things for first time
Secondary = area previously occupied by living things disturbed then re-colonized following the disturbance

Question 2

Give the definition of a pioneer species

Answer 2

Pioneer species are hardy species that are the first to colonize barren environments or previously biodiverse steady-state ecosystems that have been disrupted

Question 3

Explain how pioneer species are adapted to exploit their niche

Answer 3

they tend to germinate, grow, mature, and reproduce quickly; and they produce large numbers of offspring, either asexually or through wind-dispersed pollen, spores, and seeds

Question 4

Explain how pioneer species change the abiotic conditions in an ecosystem

Answer 4

Pioneer species change the abiotic environment by dying and releasing nutrients such as nitrates for production of amino acids and proteins for the organisms that follow

Question 5

Give the definition of a climax community

Answer 5

An ecological community in which populations of plants or animals remain stable and exist in balance with each other and their environment

Question 6

Explain the stages of succession from colonisation to climax community (typical 4/5 marker)