Ecosystems EOC

GC Ecological Succession EOC Review

Pre-Assessment

Multiple Choice

Which statement best defines ecological succession?

• The ability of an organism to survive in an ecosystem

• All of the nonliving factors of an ecosystem

• The regular progression of species replacement in an environment

• The number of different species living in an ecosystem

Multiple Choice

The figure shows the pattern of growth in an area that began as barren soil 300 years ago until present time.

What types of organisms would be considered the pioneer species in this ecosystem?

• Pine

• Oak

• Crabgrass

• Hickory

Multiple Choice

The figure shows the pattern of growth in an area that began as barren soil 300 years ago until present time.

What types of species are representative of the climax community in the figure?

• Ragweed

• Hickory

• Crabgrass

• Pine

Multiple Choice

What is the order of succession shown in this figure?

• A, B, C, D

• B, A, D, C

• C, D, A, B

• D, A, B, C

Ecological succession is changes in the types of species growing in an ecosystem over time

• Ecosystems typically start with just a few smaller species

• If allowed to develop, larger and more diverse species move in

Multiple Choice

The change of an ecosystem over time until a stable stage is reached is called -

• competition

• carry capacity

• succession

• parasitism

Succession begins with a pioneer species and ends with a climax community

• Pioneer species are the FIRST living things to start growing and are small and grow quickly

• A climax community is reached when the largest organisms are present and the ecosystem is stable (no longer changing)

Multiple Choice

The first living thing to grow successfully in a newly formed rock formation are called -

• climax species

• pioneer species

• parasites

• heterotrophs

Multiple Choice

Stable, final stage of succession

• adaptation

• pioneer species

• niche

• climax community

Primary succession occurs when an ecosystem starts from NOTHING

• There is NO SOIL present

• May occur after a volcano or moving glacier creates new rock

• The pioneer species are usually bacteria, moss, and lichen, which break down rock to form soil

Multiple Choice

Primary succession could potentially begin in which of the following environments?

• A field covered with a flow of lava for an extended period of time

• A large plain used for cattle grazing during the past 20 years

• A mountainside that has been clear-cut for logging

• A forest that has been destroyed by two wildfires

Secondary succession occurs when soil is already present

• Remember - Secondary HAS Soil!

• May occur after a flood, fire, or other disaster kills larger species but does not destroy the soil

• The pioneer species is often grass, but may still include moss, lichen

Multiple Choice

What is the difference between primary and secondary succession?

• Primary succession already has soil.

• Primary has soil and secondary does not

• soil is present in both

• primary has no soil and secondary has soil

Post-Assessment

Multiple Choice

What would most likely be the pioneer species in a plowed field?

• Oak trees

• Palm trees

• Grasses

• Shrubs

Multiple Choice

Each drawing represents different stages in community succession within the state of Virginia. Which of the following drawings represents the climax community in this succession pattern?

Multiple Choice

A fire partially destroys a temperate deciduous forest. In the following spring, small mosses and low growing plants are observed growing amongst the burned trees and former underbrush. This is an example of -

• secondary succession

• diversity

• primary succession

• climax community

Food Webs

Multiple Choice

Which of the following organisms is a primary consumer?

• grass

• rabbit

• fox

• snake