Sequence of Primary and Secondary Succession

The observed process of normal and gradual changes that occur in the types of species that live in an ecological community over time.

• primary succession

• secondary succession

• ecological succession

• climax communities

When no life exists in an area, this is considered...

• ecological succession

• climax community

• secondary succession

• primary succession

An abandoned farming acreage is an example of which type of succession?

• primary succession

• secondary succession

• climax community

• ecological succession

Which of these is a main difference between primary and secondary succession?

• Primary succession happens slowly, and secondary succession happens rapidly.

• Small plants grow first during primary succession, while large trees grow first in secondary succession.

• Primary succession occurs after a natural disaster, but secondary succession occurs before a natural disaster.

• Primary succession is the colonization of new sites, while secondary succession is colonization of previously inhabited sites.

Surtsey is an island located south of Iceland. The island was formed by a volcanic eruption and first appeared in 1963. The table below contains descriptions if changes in the population and diversity of species on Surtsey. Which of these lists the descriptions in the correct order of ecological succession on Surtsey?

• I, II, IV, III

• IV, III, I, II

• III, I, II, IV

• II, IV, I, III

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

The growth of which of the following usually occurs first in primary succession?

• lichens

• grasses

• trees

• shrubs

After a volcanic eruption has covered an area with lava, which of the following is the most likely order of succession in the repopulation of the area?

• Grasses, trees, mosses, lichens

• Shrubs, grasses, trees, lichens

• Lichens, grasses, shrubs, trees

• Mosses, grasses, lichens, trees

A farmer stops cultivating a large tract of farmland and abandons it. The natural changes taking place soon afterwards, such as the growth of wild grasses and weeds, can be considered secondary succession and not primary succession because-

• A new ecosystem develops.

• There is already soil present.

• The land is not controlled by humans.

• Wild grasses and weeds make soil from rock.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

When Mount Saint Helens volcano erupted, the blast covered much of the surrounding area with ash. Based on the diagram, which list shows the sequence of secondary succession that followed the eruption?

• X, Y, Z, W

• Z, X, Y, W

• W, Y, X, Z

• Z, Y, W, X

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Which ecological process is shown in the pictures?

• migration

• succession

• nitrification

• precipitation