Ecological Succession and Communities

The video explains ecological communities, focusing on species interactions and ecological niches. It differentiates between niches and habitats, using examples like the dung beetle. The concept of ecological succession is introduced, detailing primary and secondary succession. The video concludes with the idea of climax communities and how disturbances can restart succession.

What forms when groups of organisms naturally occur together and interact in a specific area?

• A habitat

• An ecological community

• A food chain

• A biosphere

Which of the following best describes an ecological niche?

• The physical area where an organism lives

• The interactions between nonliving components

• The role of a species within its ecosystem

• The number of species in a community

Which of the following is NOT a factor in determining a species' niche?

• Interactions with living components

• Interactions with nonliving components

• The physical area where it lives

• Its role within the ecosystem

What happens to a community when biodiversity declines?

• Species interactions increase

• Ecological succession can occur

• It becomes more stable

• The community becomes larger

What is primary succession?

• The formation of new communities after a disturbance leaves no soil

• The removal of some organisms from an environment

• The increase in biodiversity within a community

• The regrowth of a community after a disturbance

Which of the following is an example of secondary succession?

• A landslide forming a barren area

• Lichens colonizing bare rock

• A forest regrowing after logging

• A volcanic eruption creating new land

What is the main difference between primary and secondary succession?

• Secondary succession involves pioneer species

• Primary succession occurs with soil present

• Secondary succession occurs with no soil present

• Primary succession starts with no soil, while secondary starts with soil

What is a climax community?

• A community undergoing primary succession

• A stable community at the end of a succession sequence

• A community with no disturbances

• A community with high biodiversity

How can a climax community be disrupted?

• By a decrease in species interactions

• By an increase in biodiversity

• By a disturbance such as a wildfire

• By the introduction of new species

What role do pioneer species play in succession?

• They prevent other species from colonizing

• They decrease biodiversity

• They are the last to colonize an area

• They pave the way for other species to colonize