Ecological Succession (Learning Check)

Primary succession occurs in an area that has:

• Has soil

• Has no soil

• Has some soil

• none of these

___ are the first organisms to colonize an area and begin the process of ecological succession.

• foundational organisms

• introductory organisms

• primary organisms

• pioneer species

What is the main difference between primary and secondary ecological succession?

• Primary begins WITHOUT soil; Secondary begins WITH soil

• Primary is the first stage and secondary is the stage

• Primary builds plant communities; secondary builds animal communities

• Primary begins WITH soil; Secondary begins WITHOUT soil

What is an example of an area that is likely to undergo primary succession?

• Glaciers melt and leave exposed rock

• Plants die from drought and decompose

• Land is bulldozed and soil remains

Which of the following is the correct order of ecological succession?

• grass- shrubs- lichens- trees

• lichens- shrubs- grasses- trees

• lichens- grasses- shrubs- trees

• grasses- lichens- shrubs- trees

All of the following contribute to soil formation except

• lichens

• decomposition of organisms

• volcanic eruptions

• erosion of rock by weather

What is an increase of biodiversity over time, after a natural or manmade disturbance?

• ecological recession

• climax recession

• ecological succession

• climax succession

What is an example of a disturbance that could bring about secondary succession?

• humans cut down many trees in a small region

• A volcanic eruption covers a village in lava

What is the term that describes a steady and stable community?

• peak community

• turf community

• climax community

• disturbed community

What type of disturbance can be beneficial to ecosystems and communities?

• volcanic eruption

• fire

• invasive species

• flood