Ecological Succession Review

What is ecological succession?

• The constant replacement of one community by another
• The formation of new land
• The extinction of species
• The growth of a single species

What is primary succession?

• Succession in areas with existing soil
• Succession that occurs on new lands
• Succession that happens after a forest fire
• Succession that occurs in urban areas

Which organism is typically the first to colonize barren rock in primary succession?

• Moss
• Grass
• Lichen
• Shrubs

What role do lichens play in primary succession?

• They provide shade for other plants
• They produce seeds for new plants
• They help create soil from rock
• They compete with other plants for resources

What is secondary succession?

• Succession that occurs on barren rock
• Succession that occurs after a disturbance in an established area
• Succession that happens in aquatic environments
• Succession that leads to extinction

Which of the following is an example of a disturbance that could lead to secondary succession?

• A volcanic eruption
• A glacier receding
• A forest fire
• The formation of a new island

What is a climax community?

• The initial stage of succession
• A stable community that remains unless disturbed
• A community that is always changing
• A community with only one species

How does climate affect climax communities?

• It determines the soil quality
• It influences the types of organisms that can survive
• It has no effect on communities
• It only affects primary succession

What happens to the plant and animal composition during ecological succession?

• It remains the same
• It becomes more diverse over time
• It decreases in diversity
• It only includes invasive species

What is the first type of plant to grow in an abandoned agricultural field undergoing secondary succession?

• Trees
• Shrubs
• Grasses
• Lichens