Succession in Ecosystems

Which of the following best describes succession?

• The changes in species composition in a community over time as species colonize the area.

• The reduction in biodiversity of an ecosystem over time.

• The creation of new life from nothing in an ecosystem.

• All of these are good descriptions.

______ Succession begins in a area that has no life.

• Secondary

• Primary

• Tertiary

• Ecological

What is the last organism to appear in a Primary Succession?

• Trees

• Bushes and shrubs

• Flowers

• Mosses

Lichens are often the first species to colonize an environment during Primary Succession. In general, the first species to colonize an environment is called.....

• First Organism

• Beginner Species

• Producers

• Pioneer Species

Do plants or animals come first in succession? Why?

• Animals because all plants require pollinators.

• Plants because plants are more mobile than animals.

• Animals because animals are needed to regulate plant populations.

• Plants because animals rely on them for food.

What is the last organism to colonize an area?

• Primary Consumers

• Tertiary Consumers

• Producers

• Secondary Consumers

What is the difference between Primary and Secondary Succession?

• Primary succession occurs in an area with no life and no soil but secondary succession happens in an area where a community has been disrupted.

• Primary succession involves only plants, but secondary succession includes animals too.

• Primary succession occurs after secondary succession.

• Secondary succession destroys an ecosystem, but primary succession rebuilds a community.

True or False: Ecological Succession decreases diversity.

• True

• False

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-5

_______ Diversity refers to the different number of species in an ecosystem.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-5

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

What is Population Diversity?

• The number of species in an ecosystem.

• The number of populations in an ecosystem.

• The variation of traits within a population.

• The variation of species in a population.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4