succession

Question 1

succession

Answer 1

process by which an ecosystem changes over time

biotic conditions change as the abiotic conditions change

Question 2

primary

Answer 2

land thats newly formed or exposed e.g. volcano erupted.

no soil or organic material

Question 3

secondary

Answer 3

happens on land thats been cleared of all plants but where soil remains e.g. forest fire

Question 4

stages of primary succession

Answer 4

1. species colonise a new land surface. seeds and spores blown in wind and begin to grow - pioneer species
2. abiotic conditions hostile. only pioneer species grow as specially adapted
3. pioneer species change abiotic conditions - die and microorganisms decompose them into organic material
4. conditions less hostile - new organisms
5. some new species may change environment -> less suitable for previous species

Question 5

stages secondary succession

Answer 5

1. same as primary but already a layer of soil
2. pioneer species are larger plants
3. each stage different plants and animals that are better adapted move in and outcompete plants and animals that are there - become dominant species
4. as succession goes on ecosystem becomes more complex. biodiversity increases.

Question 6

final stage of succession

Answer 6

climax community -ecosystem supporting largest and most complex community it can - wont change much more / in steady state

Question 7

the climax community for a particular community is called the

Answer 7

climatic climax
e.g.temperate climate plenty of available water mild temperature not much change between seasons - climatic climax contains large trees in these conditions once deep soils have developed

Question 8

when succession is stopped artificially the climax community is called a

Answer 8

plagioclimax

Question 9

conservation

Answer 9

involves preventing succession in order to preserve an ecosystem in its current stage of succesion