Succession Assessment Quiz

What is succession?

• The process of plants growing in an area after a wildfire.

• The gradual change in organisms that occurs when the environment changes.

• The movement of animals from one ecosystem to another.

• The process of rocks breaking down into soil.

What are pioneer species?

• Plants that grow in the shade of larger trees.

• Animals that migrate to a new ecosystem.

• Invasive species that take over an ecosystem.

• The first plants to populate an area.

What is lichen and how is it important for the process of succession?

• An organism made of a fungus and either algae or autotrophic bacteria that helps break down rocks and create soil.

• A type of bacteria that helps decompose dead plants and animals in the soil.

• A type of plant that grows in ponds and blocks sunlight from reaching the bottom.

• A type of fungus that grows on rocks and breaks them down into soil.

What is the difference between primary and secondary succession?

• Primary succession occurs after a disaster and starts with only rocks on the ground, while secondary succession starts when there is still soil to rebuild from.

• Primary succession occurs in aquatic ecosystems, while secondary succession occurs in terrestrial ecosystems.

• Primary succession occurs when there is still soil to rebuild from, while secondary succession starts with only rocks on the ground.

• Primary succession occurs in forests, while secondary succession occurs in grasslands.

Which arrives to an area first: plants or animals?

• Animals

• It depends on the specific ecosystem.

• Plants

• Plants and animals arrive at the same time.

What is a climax community?

• The final stage of succession where no further changes in the community occur.

• A community of organisms that is constantly changing due to environmental factors.

• A community of organisms that can survive and thrive the best under the climate conditions of the area.

• A community of organisms that is dominated by large trees and shrubs.

What are the stages of succession and their time frames?

• Primary Succession: 100s to 1,000s of years, Secondary Succession: decades, Cyclic Succession: 1000 or more years

• Primary Succession: decades, Secondary Succession: 100s to 1,000s of years, Cyclic Succession: 1000 or more years

• Primary Succession: 1000 or more years, Secondary Succession: decades, Cyclic Succession: 100s to 1,000s of years

• Primary Succession: decades, Secondary Succession: 1000 or more years, Cyclic Succession: 100s to 1,000s of years

What are four factors that could interrupt succession?

• Drought, hurricanes, earthquakes, and pollution

• Invasive species, overgrazing, soil erosion, and habitat destruction

• Climate change, wildfires, volcanic eruptions, and deforestation

• Floods, tornadoes, landslides, and air pollution

How are seeds dispersed?

• Animal dispersal, water dispersal, wind dispersal, and explosion/popping

• Animal dispersal, insect dispersal, wind dispersal, and human dispersal

• Gravity dispersal, water dispersal, wind dispersal, and explosion/popping

• Bird dispersal, insect dispersal, wind dispersal, and human dispersal

What is the difference between annual, biennial, and perennial plants?

• Annual plants live for more than two years, biennial plants complete their life cycle in one year, and perennial plants complete their life cycle in two years.

• Annual plants complete their life cycle in two years, biennial plants complete their life cycle in one year, and perennial plants live for more than two years.

• Annual plants live for more than two years, biennial plants complete their life cycle in two years, and perennial plants complete their life cycle in one year.

• Annual plants complete their life cycle in one year, biennial plants complete their life cycle in two years, and perennial plants live for more than two years.