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Ecological Succession

Total questions: 21

Worksheet time: 29mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Primary succession occurs in an area that has:

a)

soil

b)

no soil

c)

some soil

d)

none of these

2.

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

a)

foundational organisms

b)

introductory organisms

c)

primary organisms

d)

pioneer species

3.

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

a)

foundational organisms

b)

introductory organisms

c)

primary organisms

d)

pioneer species

4.

What is the main difference between primary and secondary ecological succession?

a)

Primary begins WITHOUT soil; Secondary begins WITH soil

b)

Primary is the first state and secondary is the second stage

c)

Primary builds plant community; secondary builds animal community

d)

Primary begins WITH soil; Secondary begins WITHOUT soil

5.

What is an example of a disturbance that could bring about secondary succession?

a)

Humans cut down many trees in a small region

b)

A volcanic eruption covers a village in lava.

6.
Which is the correct order in primary succession?
a)
Rocks, Lichens & Mosses, Bushes & Shrubs, Trees
b)
Lichens & Mosses, Rocks, Trees, Bushes & Shrubs 
c)
Trees, Bushes and Shrubs, Lichens & Mosses, Lichens & Mosses
d)
Rocks, Grass, Trees, Bushes & Shrubs
7.

During a forest fire most vegetation (plants) burn. Which ecological succession will take place after a forest fire?

a)

Primary

b)

Secondary

8.
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
9.

As ecological succession progresses, a pioneer community gradually changes into a climax community. What typically happens during this process?

a)

The number of species increases

b)

The number of species decreases

c)

The organisms in an area decrease in size

d)

The organisms in an area can no longer find food

10.

Which of the following types of organisms would be present during the pioneer community stage of ecological succession?

a)

Lichens and mosses

b)

Grasses and shrubs

c)

Small trees and wildflowers

d)

Tall trees and thick brush

Which

11.

As an ecosystem transitions from a grassland to a forest, grasses will begin to -

a)

adapt to life in the forest.

b)

be replaced by other plants.

c)

multiply to establish dominance.

d)

relocate to a nearby grassland.

12.

What are the two types of ecological succession?

a)

Primary and Secondary

b)

Environmental and Natural

c)

Habitat and Community

d)

Population and Community

13.

How does Primary Succession begin?

a)

Begins in the mountains

b)

Begins in the oceans

c)

Begins in swamps

d)

Begins in a place without any soil

14.

When lichens die what happens to them?

a)

They are blown away by the wind

b)

They float down the river

c)

They decompose adding small amounts of organic matter to the rock to make soil

d)

They made flowers and animals

15.

What succession is represented in the photo

a)

Primary Succession

b)

Secondary Succession

16.

In what order does Pond Succession move?

a)

forest >shrubs>dry land/ grasses> marsh > pond

b)

marsh> shrubs> forest> dry land/grasses> pond

c)

pond> dry land/grasses> shrubs > marsh

d)

Pond> marsh> dry land/grasses> shrubs> forest

17.

What is climax community?

a)

the final stage in a succession

b)

first species to begin a succession

18.
Replacement of one type of community by another at a single place over time
a)
symbiosis
b)
succession
c)
competition
d)
cooperation
19.

Ecological Succession can best be described as...​ ​ (a)  

Choose from the below words
Series of changes in a community over time
A gradual change in the weather.
The dominant species in one particular area.
Species that survive best with no competition
Plants growth response to a stimulus
20.

When a farm or garden is left unplanted, SECONDARY SUCCESSION occurs, returning the land to a mature, climax community. What is the order that reflects how plants will emerge in the new community: ​ (a)   ​ ​ (b)   ​ (c)   ​ (d)  

a)

Grasses and weeds

1.

1st step

b)

Wildflowers/Perennials

2.

2nd step

c)

Shrubs

3.

3rd step

d)

Evergreen trees

4.

4th step

21.

As ecological succession progresses, a pioneer community gradually changes into a climax community. What typically happens during this process?​ ​ (a)  

Choose from the below words
The number of organisms INCREASE.
The number of organisms DECREASE
The number of organisms REMAIN CONSTANT
The number of organisms NEVER CHANGES