13 Literacy Article Questions Ecological Succession

What is ecological succession?

• The process of one ecosystem taking over another ecosystem.

• The order of the ecosystems and how they occur.

• When an ecosystem inherits a national distinction.

• A predictable process of change in an ecosystem.

What is the function of a pioneer species?

• To prepare the forest for a natural disturbance.

• To scout out an area and see if it is suitable for growth.

• To break down exposed rock and other nutrients into soil.

• To establish a relationship between two ecosystems.

What is the main difference between primary and secondary succession?

• Primary succession results in a climax community, whereas secondary succession results in a destroyed community.

• Primary succession starts with bare rock, whereas secondary succession starts with an already established community of plants.

• Primary succession takes a longer period of time because it begins with bare rock, whereas secondary succession takes a shorter amount of time because it begins with already established soil.

• Primary succession takes a shorter amount of time because it begins with already established soil, whereas secondary succession takes a longer period of time because it begins with bare rock.

Which of the following is not an example of a disturbance that might jumpstart secondary succession?

• An ecosystem being destroyed by pollution.

• A long period of little or no rainfall resulting in a drought.

• A hurricane causing a devastating flood.

• A volcano forming a new island in a chain.

True or False: Primary and secondary succession both end with the formation of a climax community.

• True

• False

A tsunami brings a bunch of new sand onto a beach in a coastal region and new sand dunes develop. This region will undergo ________ succession to become a climax community.

(a)  

• primary
• secondary

Pioneer species get their name from being the ______ species in an ecosystem.

(a)  

• first
• last

A community experiences a devastating flood and is wiped out of an area. This area will undergo ______ succession to become a climax community.

(a)  

• secondary
• primary

When an ecosystem is balanced, it has reached ______.

(a)  

• equilibrium
• disruption
• chaos

Put the stages of primary succession below in order from beginning to end.

• Grasses

• Lichens

• Shrubs

• Young Forrest

• Bare Rock