Ecotones and Biodiversity

____ also called biotic change, is the natural change of one type of vegetation to another.

• transformation
• evolution
• adaptation
• succession

Primary succession is ....

• the process of succession of land with no developed soil

• the gradual replacement of one ecosystem by another over time.
• the process of ecological change in an area with existing soil.
• the immediate recovery of an ecosystem after a disturbance.

Secondary succession occurs ....

• in an area where the soil has been completely eroded
• in an area where a disturbance has destroyed an existing community but left the soil intact.
• in a stable ecosystem with no disturbances
• in a newly formed volcanic island without any soil

What are some disturbances that might lead to secondary succession

• Volcanic eruptions
• Earthquake damage
• Disturbances leading to secondary succession include forest fires, flooding, and human interaction

• Drought conditions

What is a pioneer species

• A pioneer species is the first organism to colonize a barren or disturbed environment.
• A pioneer species is a type of invasive species.
• A pioneer species is the last organism to leave a habitat.
• A pioneer species is an organism that thrives in highly developed ecosystems.

The following is a description of succession common for much of North Carolina: the first plants

to begin growing are called the pioneer species, which are the weeds and grasses. These are

followed by shrubs, then pine forest, and finally hardwoods. Name the plants that grow in chronological order.

• Mosses, ferns, birch trees, conifers
• Ferns, cacti, oak trees, desert shrubs
• Algae, mushrooms, palm trees, bamboo
• Pioneer species (weeds and grasses), shrubs, pine forest, hardwoods

The final community of natural vegetation that does not change unless disturbed.

What is the typical climax community in NC

• Pine forest
• Wetland
• Oak-Hickory Forest

• Grassland

All stages of succession provide habitats for different species

• All species thrive in the same stage of succession.
• Only one species can inhabit each stage of succession.
• Succession stages are not important for species diversity.
• Different species inhabit different stages of succession.

Habitats with greater variety in vegetation appeal to more species

• True
• Species diversity is unrelated to vegetation variety
• Only in certain climates
• False