warm-up: (1/06/15) have you ever observed a vacant lot or an untended garden over a period of time?...
DESCRIPTION
Ecological Succession The shrubs, moss or grasses you see when walking along a sidewalk could be the beginnings of new, natural communities. Given enough time, each area would become a complex and stable community.TRANSCRIPT
Warm-Up: (1/06/15) Have you ever observed a vacant lot or an
untended garden over a period of time?What changes did you see?
Ecological Succession
The shrubs, moss or grasses you see when walking along a sidewalk
could be the beginnings of new, natural communities. Given enough
time, each area would become a complex and stable community.
Succession and its Causes
Ecological succession the gradual rebuilding of an ecosystem after
a drastic change. Natural, gradual, predictable changes in the
types of species that live in an area; can be primary or secondary
The gradual replacement of one plant community by another through
natural processes over time Succession and its Causes
The diversity of organisms living in each community today is not
the same as it was in the past. Biotic and abiotic factors have
changed over time. What Causes Ecological Succession?
During succession, organisms alter their physical surroundings in a
way that makes those surroundings more suitable for other kinds of
organisms and less suitable for themselves. As a result, new
organisms invade and the old organisms move out. Primary Succession
Primary Succession: begins in areas where when starting out, there
is no life, no topsoil and no ecosystem. Examples: Volcano, Sand
dunes or Glacial Retreat This stage begins with very tough
organisms - those that can grow under adverse conditions. Life
after a Volcano (May 1980-Present)
Primary Succession: Life after a Volcano (May 1980-Present) Mt. St.
Helens Primary Succession: How a Sand Dune becomes a Forest
Dune grassescottonwoods+shrubsevergreensoaksbeeches maples Primary
Succession bare rocklichensmossesgrassesshrubstrees 1. 2.
3. 4. 5. Primary Succession The first species to populate an area
is called the pioneer species. Pioneer species are often LICHENS
and moses carried by wind or water, and can grow on bare rocks with
little or no soil. Primary Succession Lichens - Its not a plant. It
is one living thing made up of two organisms - algae and fungi.
They work together, and weathers (definition?) rocks into topsoils.
This often takes a long time. Lichens often grow in places where
plants can't like bare rock.They still use photosynthesis for
energy! Lichens Primary Succession Secondary Succession Succession
often begins as a result of natural destruction, such as a fire,
farm abandonment, deforestation, flooding, drought or by some human
interference. If the land is left untended, secondary succession
occurs. This happens more quickly than primary succession, soil is
already present/formed and seeds may be present. Two photos of the
same place, picture on the left taken one year and picture on the
right two years after a fire. Secondary Succession Succession often
begins as a result of natural destruction, such as fire, farm
abandonment, deforestation, flooding, or by some human
interference. Example: Hurricane Two photos of the same place,
picture on the left taken before and after a hurricane. Secondary
Succession Secondary Succession Farm Abandonment 1993 In 1993 the
land here was cleared purposefully and then treated with Roundup to
clear the site of all plants. The purpose was to observe the
natural succession. 1998 As you can see, during Secondary
Ecological Succession the PIONEER SPECIES are typically weeds and
grass (since soil is already in place). 2002 2004 Climax Community
climax community :The stable/final stage in the development of a
community Because it is stable and complex, a climax community
tends to remain the same over a long period of time without further
succession.It could take centuries to reach this level.
Equilibrium: When the numbers and species of organisms do not
change suddenly in a community (aka a stable state of balance) .
Climax community Climax Community Astable group of plants and
animals that is the end result of the succession process Does not
always mean big trees Grasses in prairies Cacti in deserts Primary
vs. Secondary START: No soil FIRST: Pioneer species
Weathering & decomposition Humus (soil) and sand increase over
time END =Climax ommunity START:Soil already exists FIRST: Seeds
have suitable soil conditions. Occurs much faster END = Climax
community. Pond Succession Pondmarshdry land/grassesshrubsforest
Pond Succession Pond Succession If left unattended, ponds will fill
in with dirt and debris until they completely fill in. It often
takes hundreds of years for a pond to be transformed from a body of
water into soil. Question 1: What type of change or disaster to an
ecosystem might cause ecological succession? Flood, fire,
windstorm, drought, lava flow, glacial retreat ,etc.
Answer 1: Flood, fire, windstorm, drought, lava flow, glacial
retreat ,etc. Question 2: What type of change or disaster to an
ecosystem might cause ecological succession? Humans often clear
land for farming or ranching.
Answer 2: Humans often clear land for farming or ranching. When
used, land is abandoned.Over time, the land may begin the process
of secondary succession to rebuild itself. Question 3: If land is
destroyed, how are seeds available to produce new plant life?
Answer 3: Many seeds remain dormant in the soil until the
environment is ale to support plant life.Others are carried by
wind, water, or animals. How is primary succession different from
secondary succession?
Question 4: How is primary succession different from secondary
succession? Primary vs. Secondary No soil Pioneer species
Weathering & decomposition Humus and sand increase over time
End =climax community Soil already exists Seeds have suitable soil
conditions. Occurs much faster Climax community. Question 5: A
field is destroyed by decades of agriculture, and then
abandoned.When ecological succession begins, what is the first
plant life to grow? A. trees B. bushes C. grasses D.vines Answer 5:
A field is destroyed by decades of agriculture, and then
abandoned.When ecological succession begins, what is the first
plant life to grow? A. trees B. bushes C. grasses D.vines Question
6: When primary succession begins, what is the first species to
populate an area called? Give an example. Answer 6 The first
species to populate an area is called the pioneer species. Pioneer
species are often lichens and moses carried by wind or water, and
can grow on bare rocks with little or no soil.