1 / 23

Ecological Succession Notes

Learn about the process of ecological succession, where ecosystems change over time due to natural events or human activities. Explore the stages of both primary and secondary succession and understand how communities evolve to reach a state of equilibrium.

kknott
Download Presentation

Ecological Succession Notes

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Ecological Succession Notes

  2. The environment is constantly changing as a result of weather or the activities of humans & other organisms.

  3. These changes can naturally happen slowly over time or quickly as a result of natural disasters or catastrophic events.

  4. A community of organisms that occupy an area is also constantly changing and result in long-term changes in an ecosystem.

  5. All of these changes that occur in an ecosystem over time result in ecologicalsuccession.

  6. Primarysuccession occurs in an area where no ecosystem existed.

  7. Examples: after a volcanic eruption or bare rock under a glacier.

  8. The first species to populate an area during primary succession, called pioneer species…

  9. …are usually mosses or lichens which are able to grow on bare rock… release acids that begin to break down rock to create soil.

  10. As colonies of grasses & ferns are established, small animals will move into the area that feed on the plants.

  11. Larger animals can then move in & feed on the smaller animals.

  12. More soil is formed that can support larger plants like shrubs which can provide new habitats for more animals.

  13. More soil continues to form & become richer & deeper so that trees can now be supported & the community continues to grow.

  14. Given enough time and the right conditions, primary succession may lead to a community in equilibrium that will not change drastically unless the ecosystem is disturbed.

  15. This type of community is known as a climax or mature community.

  16. Secondary succession occurs after a disturbance in an existing ecosystem where soil is already established so weeds and grasses can start to grow immediately.

  17. Examples: after forest fires, tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, etc…

  18. Secondary succession occurs more rapidly than primary succession to restore the ecosystem to a state of equilibrium that can be maintained over time.

  19. Stages of primary succession: (forest)bare rock=> mosses / lichens => grasses & ferns=> bushes & shrubs=> trees (young forest) => mature forest (climax community)

  20. Stages of primary succession mosses & lichens mature forest=> climax community trees- young forest bushes & shrubs grasses & ferns bare rock Time

  21. Stages of secondary succession: (forest)weeds=> grasses & ferns=> bushes & shrubs=> trees (young forest) => mature forest (climax community)

  22. Stages of secondary succession mature forest=> climax community bushes & shrubs trees- young forest grasses & ferns weeds Time

More Related