succession and stability
DESCRIPTION
Succession and Stability. Introduction. Succession : Gradual change in plant and animal communities in an area following disturbance. Primary succession on newly exposed geological substrates. Secondary succession following disturbance that does not destroy soil. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
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Introduction
• Succession: Gradual change in plant and animal communities in an area following disturbance.– Primary succession on newly exposed geological
substrates.– Secondary succession following disturbance that
does not destroy soil.• Climax Community: Late successional
community that remains stable until disrupted by disturbance.
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Community and Ecosystem Stability
• Stability: Absence of change.
• Resistance: Ability to maintain structure and function in face of potential disturbance.
• Resilience: Ability to recover from disturbance.
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• Are populations organized into discrete communities?
http://soulchaser.blogspirit.com/images/medium_pdr_0249.jpg
• Humboldt hiked up Mt. Chimborazo to an elevation of 5878m.
• He recorded vegetation along the elevational gradient.
• What order?
* Ferns and palms* Grass and lichens* Oak forest* Broad-leaved herbaceous plants* Evergreen shrubs
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• Clements and others (ex. Kuchler map) felt communities were essentially superorganisms
• Are populations organized into discrete communities?