Succession Review

Which of these types of environments experiences the LEAST change in the total number of types of species over time?

• an ecosystem with only pioneer species

• an ecosystem that is in primary succession

• an ecosystem that is in secondary succession

• an ecosystem with a climax community

Which plant characteristics are common to pioneer species?

• plants with roots that act like wedges to slowly break apart rocks

• plants with long, thick roots that tap into deep water supplies

• trees with exposed surface roots that trap soil and vegetation

• plants with a broad mat of surface roots that quickly soaks up water

A hurricane hits a coastal prairie and destroys the habitat. Years later there is an appearance of small plants with rapidly spreading roots on newly formed coastal sand dunes. This vegetation describes_____

• a microhabitat

• primary succession

• secondary succession

• biodiversity

What is the relationship between ecological succession and equilibrium in an ecosystem?

• Ecological succession helps maintain equilibrium in an ecosystem

• Ecological succession prevents ecosystems from ever reaching equalibrium

• There is no relationship between ecological succession and equilibrium

• Ecological succession and equilibrium are the same thing

The diagrams above show an ecosystem during different stages of ecological succession. In which order will these stages occur, from earliest to latest?

• 4,2,1,3
• 1,2,3,4
• 3,1,4,2
• 2,4,3,1

Some ranchers use controlled fires to rid their grazing lands of unwanted plants. These ranchers keep their land in early stages of succession and in a state of equilibrium that is best for their livestock. Which of these kinds of plants would MOST LIKELY be some of the first plants found growing in a pasture after fire?

• trees

• grasses

• ferns

• mosses

The figure shows the same ecosystem in Texas at two different times. Which of the following most likely caused the change of species shown in the figure?

• development of a parking lot
• passing through a glacier
• preservation of habitat
• occurrence of a forest fire

Lava from an underwater volcano piles up over many years. Eventually, the pile of lava sticks up above the ocean surface, forming a new island. To show that succession is occurring on the island, it would be MOST helpful for a scientist to measure changes in-

• average temperature

• day length

• soil depth

• annual precipitation

A non-native plant is introduced into a diverse, mature ecosystem in equilibrium. Assuming that the non-native plant has no natural enemies and that it thrives in the ecosystem, how will it affect the community?

• The native species will become more like the new plant

• The number of native species will decrease

• The number of native species will not be affected at all

• The native species will become extinct

A non-native animal is introduced into a diverse, mature ecosystem in equilibrium. Assuming that the non-native animal has no natural enemies and that it thrives in the ecosystem, how will it affect the community?

• Only plants will be affected

• The entire ecosystem will be affected

• Only animals will be affected

• There would be no effect