Ecological Succession Concepts

The video tutorial by Mr. Walker covers ecological succession, focusing on primary and secondary types. Primary succession occurs in lifeless areas, while secondary succession happens in disturbed but previously inhabited areas. The process involves stages from pioneer species to climax communities. Key vocabulary includes facilitation, inhibition, and tolerance. The video emphasizes the importance of understanding these processes for ecosystem management.

What is ecological succession?

• A sudden change in an ecosystem

• A type of animal migration

• A gradual change in species composition over time

• A process of soil erosion

Which of the following is an example of primary succession?

• A forest regrowing after a fire

• A river being dammed and forming a lake

• A field becoming a forest after being abandoned

• Lichens growing on bare rock after a volcanic eruption

What is the first step in primary succession?

• The growth of trees

• The formation of soil

• The arrival of animals

• The establishment of a climax community

Which species are considered pioneer species in primary succession?

• Grasses and shrubs

• Lichens and mosses

• Trees and large plants

• Fish and amphibians

What characterizes mid-successional plant species?

• They are aquatic plants

• They are grasses and low shrubs

• They are small weedy plants

• They are large trees

How does secondary succession differ from primary succession?

• It occurs in areas with existing soil and life

• It only happens in aquatic environments

• It starts on bare rock

• It takes longer to establish

Which of the following is an example of secondary succession?

• A glacier retreating and exposing bare rock

• A new island forming from volcanic activity

• A forest regrowing after being cut down

• Lichens growing on cooled lava

What does the term 'facilitation' refer to in ecological succession?

• The competition between two species

• The complete removal of a species

• One species making an area more suitable for another

• One species making an area less suitable for another

What is the intermediate disturbance hypothesis?

• Communities with no disturbance have the highest biodiversity

• Communities with no disturbances have the lowest biodiversity

• Communities with moderate disturbances have the highest biodiversity

• Communities with frequent disturbances have the lowest biodiversity

What is 'inhibition' in the context of ecological succession?

• A species preventing another from establishing

• A species making an area more suitable for another

• The growth of pioneer species

• The final stage of succession