Exploring Succession in Biodiversity

What role do wolves play in ecosystems like Yellowstone Park?

• They have no significant impact.

• They decrease biodiversity.

• They only affect the plant species.

• They directly impact prey populations and ecosystem relationships.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

What role does fire play in ecosystems?

• It prevents any form of succession.

• It is necessary for creating more diversity through secondary succession.

• It leads to decreased animal populations.

• It only destroys existing plant life.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

What is ecological succession?

• A process where new vegetation grows unpredictably after a disturbance.

• A random scattering of seeds leading to new plant growth.

• A predictable process of ecosystem regeneration after a disturbance.

• A process where ecosystems diminish over time.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Which natural events can lead to secondary succession?

• Forest fires, landslides, and tornadoes.

• Volcanic eruptions only.

• Only human activities like farming.

• The retreat of glaciers exclusively.

What distinguishes primary from secondary succession?

• Primary succession starts with existing vegetation, secondary does not.

• Secondary succession starts on bare rock, primary starts on soil.

• Primary succession begins where no previous vegetation was present.

• Both start in areas heavily populated with plants.

What is the significance of lichen in primary succession?

• It primarily beautifies the landscape.

• It repels other plant growth.

• It breaks down rocks and begins soil formation.

• It provides shade for animal habitats.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-3

What are the characteristics of early colonizers in primary succession?

• They are shade-loving and slow-growing.

• They grow quickly, need lots of light, and are often wind-dispersed.

• They only grow in wet conditions.

• They do not contribute to soil formation.

How does the presence of fungi affect early colonizers?

• Fungi have no interaction with early colonizers.

• Fungi increase light levels needed by plants.

• Fungi help some plants fix atmospheric nitrogen.

• Fungi compete with them, reducing their growth.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-4

How do mature forests differ from earlier successional stages?

• They are dominated by slow-growing, shade-tolerant species needing more nutrients.

• They are primarily made up of lichen and moss.

• They have less biodiversity.

• They consist mainly of wind-dispersed species.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

What experiment can students perform to observe succession?

• Measure soil pH weekly in a forest.

• Observe and record plant growth in a disturbed plot over time.

• Count animal species in a mature forest.

• Catalog all plant species in a greenhouse.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4