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Ecological Succession Quiz

Total questions: 10

Worksheet time: 10mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Which of the following best describes primary succession?

a)

Volcano wipes out ecosystem that gradually grows back from ash covered soil

b)

Volcano creates a new island of rock that must break down to form an ecosystem

c)

Forest fire burns down forest that must bounce back over time

d)

Tornado destroys a crop that must slowly grow back over time.

2.

If farmers use a controlled burn to prevent forest fires, what would most likely be the first plants to return?

a)

trees

b)

shrubs

c)

mosses

d)

grasses

3.
What is the order of succession shown in this figure?
a)
A, B, C, D
b)
B, A, D, C
c)
C, D, A, B
d)
D, A, B, C
4.

What are the pioneer species in primary succession?

a)
Bushes and Shrubs
b)
Oak trees
c)
Mossess and Lichens 
d)
A rose Bush
5.

What type of disturbance can be beneficial to ecosystems and communities?

a)

Volcanic Eruption

b)

Fire

c)

Invasive Species

d)

Flood

6.
What is the difference between primary and secondary succession?
a)

Primary begins WITHOUT soil; Secondary begins WITH soil.

b)

Primary builds plant communities; secondary builds animal communities.

c)

Primary is the first stage and secondary is the second stage.

d)

Primary being WITH soil; Secondary begins WITHOUT soil.

7.
Stable, final stage of succession
a)
adaptation
b)
pioneer species
c)
niche
d)
climax community
8.

The process in which a community changes through time

a)

ecological succession

b)

biodiversity

c)

evolution

d)

ecosystem resilience

9.

Lichens are important in primary succession because they

a)

help to break down rocks to create soil.

b)

provide a soft place for seeds to germinate.

c)

are fire-resistant.

d)

are gymnosperms, which are important for resilience.

10.

________are the first organisms to colonize an area and begin the process of ecological succession.

a)

Primary organisms

b)

Introductory species

c)

Foundational organisms

d)

Pioneer species