180 likes | 310 Views
Ecological Succession :. Succession –series of predictable changes that occur in a community over time Land Ecosystems 1. Primary 2. Secondary Aquatic Ecosystems Eutrophication. 1. Primary Succession. Begins in a place without any soil (usually after a natural disaster )
E N D
Ecological Succession: • Succession –series of predictable changes that occur in a community over time • Land Ecosystems 1. Primary 2. Secondary • Aquatic Ecosystems • Eutrophication
1. Primary Succession • Begins in a place without any soil (usually after a natural disaster) • 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 cont’d • Soil starts to form as lichens and the forces of weather and erosion help breakdown rocks into smaller pieces • When lichens die, they decompose, adding small amounts of organic matter to the rock to make soil
Primary Succession cont’d • Simple plants like mosses and ferns can grow in the new soil http://www.uncw.edu http://uisstc.georgetown.edu
Primary Succession cont’d… • 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 trees 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 and has different pioneer species than primary succession • Example: after forest fires, after harvest • *SKIPS step 1 of primary succession
Climax Community • A stable group of plants and animals that is the end result of the successionprocess • Can remain for many years if undisturbed by humans or natural disasters • High levels of biodiversity • Does not always mean big trees • Grasses in prairies • Cacti in deserts • Mature coral reefs
Aquatic Ecosystems • Freshwater ecosystems • Sediment & decomposing organisms slowly build up on the bottoms of ponds, lakes, and wetlands • Eutrophication: process of body of water becoming rich in nutrients • Eventually, the water disappears and the area becomes land!
Aquatic Succession The process where water becomes full of nutrients is known as…..
How do Changes in Ecosystems Affect Organisms’ Survival??? • Extreme or long-lasting changes? • Most don’t survive • But….those with beneficial adaptations will! • Focus: Piney Woods region
WILDFIRE! • Bluestem Grass- blades burn, but underground roots remain unharmed • Pine Snake- escape by seeking shelter underground in gopher burrow • Longleaf Pine Seedling- heat releases steam from needles to extinguish fire • Woodpecker- fly to safety • Pine trees- thick scales on bark fall off as they burn, taking heat with them