Ecological Disturbances

What type of succession will follow after a tornadoes' fast and powerful winds destroy many of the trees in an area?

• Primary Succession

• Secondary Succession

• Ecological Succesion

• Climax Community

Secondary succession follows when there is a disturbance but the area still has soil.

• True

• False

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

What type of succession is shown going from figure A to figure B?

• primary succession

• ecological succession

• secondary succession

• intermediate succession

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

The Piney Woods ecoregion has many rivers. When there is a great amount of rainfall, rivers overflow. Which catastrophic even can occur when too much rain falls?

• tornadoes

• floods

• tsunami

• earthquake

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

Why are disturbances important for ecosystems?

• They destroy habitats

• They create opportunities for new species to thrive

• They prevent any changes in the ecosystem

• They ensure that only one species can survive

Answer explanation

Disturbances are crucial for ecosystems as they create opportunities for new species to thrive. They promote biodiversity by allowing different species to establish themselves, rather than preventing changes or favoring a single species.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

What happens to an ecosystem after a disturbance?

• It immediately returns to its original state

• It undergoes a series of predictable changes

• It remains unchanged indefinitely

• It is permanently destroyed

Answer explanation

After a disturbance, an ecosystem typically undergoes a series of predictable changes, known as ecological succession, as it gradually recovers and may eventually return to a stable state, but not immediately.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

What type of succession occurs in a lifeless area after a major disturbance, like an asteroid impact?

• Secondary succession

• Primary succession

• Tertiary succession

• Quaternary succession

Answer explanation

Primary succession occurs in lifeless areas, such as those created by an asteroid impact, where soil and organisms must develop from scratch. In contrast, secondary succession happens in areas where soil and some life already exist.

What are pioneer species?

• The first organisms to colonize a barren area

• Species that dominate a climax community

• Organisms that live in water

• Animals that migrate to new habitats

Answer explanation

Pioneer species are the first organisms to colonize barren areas, such as after a volcanic eruption or glacial retreat. They play a crucial role in ecosystem development by creating conditions for other species to thrive.

Which of the following is an example of a small disturbance?

• A volcanic eruption

• A tree falling in the forest

• An asteroid impact

• A glacier melting

Answer explanation

A tree falling in the forest is a small disturbance compared to the other options, which involve large-scale events like volcanic eruptions, asteroid impacts, and glacier melting.

Which of the following is a consequence of a lack of disturbances in an ecosystem?

• Increased biodiversity

• Catastrophic events when disturbances finally occur

• Stable ecosystems

• Immediate recovery of species

Answer explanation

A lack of disturbances can lead to ecosystems becoming overly stable, which may result in a lack of resilience. When disturbances do occur, they can cause catastrophic changes, as the ecosystem is unprepared to adapt.