Ecological Succession

Stage IV will persist (stay the same) until it is altered (changed) by ______ ?

• the growth in diameter of the trees

• a major change in a biotic & abiotic factors

• the reappearance of lichens and mosses

• seasonal dieback of vegetation

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

A glacier in Alaska has melted back a distance of 100 kilometers over the last 200 years. Four stages in this process are shown in diagrams A, B, C, and D below.  

In which order should the diagrams be placed to represent the ecological succession that has taken place in the area?

• C → D → A → B

• D → C → B → A

• C → D → B → A

• D → C → A → B

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Which statement about pioneer species is TRUE?

• Pioneer species require soil to grow.

• Pioneer species are organisms that are made up of only one cell.

• Pioneer species thrive during the early stages of ecological succession.

• Pioneer species, such as hardwood trees, thrive during the final stages of ecological succession.

A vegetable garden goes unattended for a few weeks. Which organism will be the first to take over the area?

• Weeds

• Moss

• Shrubs

• Trees

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

It occurs in areas where a community that previously existed has been destroyed by some type of natural disaster or human activity.

• Primary succession

• Secondary succession

An ecological community in which populations of organisms remain stable and exist in balance. It is the final stage of succession, remaining relatively unchanged until destroyed by an event such as a natural disaster or human interference.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

What is the main difference between primary and secondary ecological succession?

• Primary begins WITHOUT soil; Secondary begins WITH soil

• Primary is the first state and secondary is the second stage

• Primary builds plant community; secondary builds animal community

• Primary begins WITH soil; Secondary begins WITHOUT soil

During a forest fire most vegetation (plants) burn. Which ecological succession will take place after a forest fire?

• Primary

• Secondary

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

What is the order of succession shown in this figure?

• A, B, C, D

• B, A, D, C

• C, D, A, B

• D, A, B, C

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

___ are the first organisms to colonize an area and begin the process of ecological succession.

• foundational organisms

• introductory organisms

• primary organisms

• pioneer species