Ecological Succession

The process in which a community changes through time

• ecological succession

• biodiversity

• evolution

• ecosystem resilience

Occurs in an area that has never before been colonized

• primary succession

• natural disturbance

• ecological resilience

• secondary succession

Occurs in a formerly inhabited area that was disturbed.

• primary succession

• natural disturbance

• ecological resilience

• secondary succession

The first species to colonize a disturbed area

• pioneer species

• trees

• shrubs

• successional species

Results in succession

• disturbance

• primary succession

• pioneer species

• ecosystem stability

Which of the situations listed can result in primary succession? (Check all that apply)

• A new island is formed

• fire

• bulldozing a meadow

• a glacier retreats

The ability for an ecosystem to remain relatively unchanged when there is a disturbance.

• resistance

• resilience

• biodiversity

• ecological succession

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS2-6

The ability for an ecosystem to respond to a disturbance by resisting damage and recovering quickly

• resistance

• resilience

• biodiversity

• ecological succession

Lichens are important in primary succession because they

• help to break down rocks to create soil

• provide a soft place for seeds to germinate

• are fire-resistant

• are gymnosperms, which are important for resilience

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Secondary succession takes less time than primary succession because mosses are already present.

• True

• False