Ecological Succession Quiz

Which examples have characteristics of primary succession?

• 1 and 2

• 1 and 4

• 2 and 3

• 2 and 4

Which examples have characteristics of secondary succession?

• 1 and 2

• 1 and 4

• 2 and 3

• 2 and 4

Which of the following real-life events could represent Example 1?

• The regrowth of a forest after a devastating fire

• The formation of an island ecosystem from a hot spot in Earth's crust

• The formation of sand dunes

• All of the above

Which of the following real-life events could represent Example 3?

• The regrowth of a forest after a devastating fire

• The formation of an island ecosystem from a hot spot in Earth's crust

• A grassland ecosystem emerging after a severe flood

• All of the above

Which of the following is an example of a disturbance that might trigger the start of secondary succession?

• A hurricane causing a devastating flood

• Newly formed sand dunes

• A glacier stripping away all plant life and soil all the way down to bedrock

• A volcano forming a new island in a chain.

What is ecological succession?

What is the function of a pioneer species?

What is a 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 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.

• 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.

The final stage of ecological succession is known as a _______.

_______ is a series of events that occur after a disturbance in an existing ecosystem.