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Changes in Ecosystems: Ecological Succession. Definition:. Natural, gradual changes in the types of species that live in an area; can be primary or secondary Gradual Slow process. Primary Succession. Begins in a place without any soil Sides of volcanoes Landslides Flooding
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Definition: • Natural, gradual changes in the types of species that live in an area; can be primary or secondary • Gradual Slow process
Primary Succession • Begins in a place without any soil • Sides of volcanoes • Landslides • Flooding • Starts with the arrival of living things such as lichens that do not need soil to survive • Called PIONEER SPECIES
http://botit.botany.wisc.edu http://www.saguaro-juniper.com/
Primary Succession • Soil starts to form as lichens and the forces of weather and erosion help break down rocks into smaller pieces • When lichens die, they decompose, adding small amounts of organic matter to the rock to make soil
Primary Succession • Simple plants like mosses and ferns can grow in the new soil http://www.uncw.edu http://uisstc.georgetown.edu
Primary Succession • The simple plants die, adding more organic material • The soil layer thickens, and grasses, wildflowers, and other plants begin to take over http://www.cwrl.utexas.edu
Primary Succession • These plants die, and they add more nutrients to the soil • Shrubs and tress can survive now http://www.rowan.edu
Primary Succession • Insects, small birds, and mammals have begun to move in • What was once bare rock now supports a variety of life http://p2-raw.greenpeace.org
Secondary Succession • Begins in a place that already has soil and was once the home of living organisms • Occurs faster • Example: after forest fires, logging, etc.
Climax Community • A stable group of plants and animals that is the end result of the successionprocess • Does not always mean big trees • Grasses in prairies • Cacti in deserts
PRIMARY SUCCESSION (1°) => nothing present; no soil, bacteria, or organisms Happens after a “new” place is formed i.e. volcanic eruption, mountain formation, spreading due to earthquakes The following steps occur: 1. Soil formation (erosion and weathering happen to create your layer of soil) 2. Plants like grasses, mosses, lichens (like-ins) appear. They are the pioneer community/species. They are the first to pave the way for the rest of the species. 3. Insects, flowers, shrubs, tree spouts, and primary consumers appear. 4. Secondary consumers, shrubs, trees, bushes grow bigger and become more prominent. 5. Tertiary consumers, larger trees and bushes 6. Fully grown trees, all organisms that live there. This is your CLIMAX COMMUNITY, or BASICALLY your full ecosystem. SECONDARY SUCCESSION (2°) => something was there; it is not anymore Happens usually after human impact or natural disaster i.e. forest fire, hurricane, logging, agriculture, disease, etc… The following steps occur: 1. Plants like grasses, mosses, lichens (like-ins) appear. They are the pioneer community/species. They are the first to pave the way for the rest of the species. 2. Insects, flowers, shrubs, tree spouts, and primary consumers appear. 3. Secondary consumers, shrubs, trees, bushes grow bigger and become more prominent. 4. Tertiary consumers, larger trees and bushes 5. Fully grown trees, all organisms that live there. This is your CLIMAX COMMUNITY, or BASICALLY your full ecosystem. TO REVIEW:
Marine Ecosystems and Succession MARINE SUCCESSION happens when: • a lake, pond, stream becomes land, forest, etc… • It follows the following process • Sediment, dead organisms, settle to the bottom • Displace water means less oxygen for organisms in water • Organisms start to die out • Sediment (and co) keep filling up water • Eventually becomes a wetland • Wetland can become forest MARINE ECOSYSTEMS INCLUDE: • Oceans • Marshes (grasses) • Swamps (shrubs and trees) • Lakes • Ponds • Streams • Wetlands (periodic water/moist soil)
