HL Ecological Succession and Climate Change

What is ecological succession?

• The sudden change in the population of a species

• The extinction of species due to natural disasters

• The process by which the structure of a biological community evolves over time

• The migration of species from one habitat to another

Answer explanation

Ecological succession is the process by which the structure of a biological community evolves over time, involving changes in species composition and ecosystem dynamics.

What triggers ecological succession?

• Both abiotic and biotic factors

• Only biotic factors

• Neither abiotic nor biotic factors

• Only abiotic factors

Answer explanation

Ecological succession is triggered by both abiotic and biotic factors, including changes in soil composition, climate, and the presence of organisms.

What is primary succession?

• Succession that occurs in lifeless areas where there is no soil

• Succession that occurs in aquatic environments

• Succession that occurs in areas where a disturbance has destroyed a pre-existing community but left the soil intact

• Succession that occurs in areas with high biodiversity

Answer explanation

Primary succession is the process that occurs in lifeless areas where there is no soil, leading to the establishment of plant and animal life.

Which species are typically the pioneers in primary succession?

• Shrubs

• Lichens and mosses

• Grasses

• Large trees

Answer explanation

Lichens and mosses are typically the pioneers in primary succession, colonizing barren environments and starting the process of soil formation.

What is cyclical succession?

• Succession that is driven by human activities

• Succession that involves repeated cycles of disturbance and recovery

• Succession that leads to a single climax community

• Succession that occurs only in marine environments

Answer explanation

Succession that involves repeated cycles of disturbance and recovery

What is a climax community?

• A community that is constantly changing

• The initial stage of ecological succession

• The final, stable stage of ecological succession

• A community that is dominated by invasive species

Answer explanation

A climax community is the final, stable stage of ecological succession where the community reaches a state of equilibrium and remains relatively unchanged over time.

What is phenology?

• The study of the structure of biological communities

• The study of the timing of seasonal biological events

• The study of the physical environment

• The study of the genetic makeup of species

Answer explanation

The study of the timing of seasonal biological events is known as phenology.

How can climate change disrupt phenological events?

• By altering the timing and synchronization of seasonal biological events

• By causing species to migrate to new habitats

• By increasing the genetic diversity of species

• By reducing the availability of water

Answer explanation

By altering the timing and synchronization of seasonal biological events

How does climate change affect the life cycles of insects?

• It increases the number of life cycles per year

• It decreases the number of life cycles per year

• It causes insects to become extinct

• It has no effect on the life cycles of insects

Answer explanation

Climate change affects the life cycles of insects by increasing the number of life cycles per year.

How does climate change drive evolution?

• By causing species to migrate to new habitats

• By reducing the genetic diversity of species

• By increasing the availability of food

• By altering the selection pressures on species

Answer explanation

By altering the selection pressures on species