Succession and Conservation

Question 1

Define primary succession

Answer 1

• Occurs on newly formed/ exposed land

- No soil or organic material to start with, just bare rock

Question 2

Define secondary succession

Answer 2

-Land that has been cleared of all plants but has remaining soil eg/ after a forest fire

Question 3

Describe the features of the first seral stage

Answer 3

• Hostile abiotic conditions mean only hardy pioneer species can grow eg/ lichen
• The pioneer species changes the conditions by dying. Once decomposed the dead organic mateial (humus) forms a soil
• This helps new species to grow, each making the conditions less harsh for new species by adding a greater variety of minerals, and deepening the soil layer.

Question 4

What is the difference between pioneer species in primary and secondary succession?

Answer 4

-Larger species in secondary succession as there is already a soil layer present, so it starts at a later seral stage.

Question 5

What is the final seral stage called?

Answer 5

Climax community

Question 6

What is the term used to describe the way in which one species takes over where another once was?

Answer 6

One species out-competes the other

Question 7

What is the term used for the climax community for a particular climate?

Answer 7

Climatic climax

Question 8

Define plagioclimax

Answer 8

The climax community when succession is artificially stopped eg/ humans mowing an area of grass

Question 9

Define conservation

Answer 9

Conservation is the protection and management of biodiversity and a range of habitats and ecosystems.

Question 10

Define preservation

Answer 10

Preservation is protection of areas that humans have yet to use.

Question 11

Give five reasons that we should conserve ecosystems

Answer 11

• Contain resources we need which may otherwise be lost
• Moral reasons- organisms have a right to exist
• Attractive to look at
• Help prevent climate change by conserving plants (which contain carbon)
• Prevent the disruption of food chains

Question 12

Give 5 ways we can conserve species

Answer 12

• Seedbanks
• Quotas on hunting
• Captive breeding programmes
• Relocation of the population
• Protected areas

Question 13

Give 4 steps in evaluating data

Answer 13

• Describe each key area of the data using values supplied
• Draw a conclusion from the data
• Evaluate the method and reliability
• Remember that there could always be another factor influencing both that you measured