WorksheetsEcological Succession Concepts
Total questions: 10
Worksheet time: 5mins
What describes the process of ecological succession?
The sudden extinction of all organisms in an ecosystem.
The way a community's composition changes over time after a disturbance.
The process by which animals adapt to new environments.
The formation of new species through evolution.
Which of the following best describes primary succession?
The re-establishment of an ecosystem after a minor flood.
The colonization of an area by organisms for the first time after a major disturbance that leaves no life.
The growth of plants in a garden over a single season.
The process of animals migrating to a new habitat.
What characteristic defines pioneer species in primary succession?
They are large, complex plants that dominate mature ecosystems.
They are animals that are the first to return to a disturbed area.
They are organisms that can colonize barren or lifeless areas.
They are plants that require rich soil to grow.
What is the primary goal or outcome of primary succession in a landscape?
To attract large animals to the area.
To quickly establish a climax community.
To build or rebuild soils.
To prevent any further disturbances.
When does secondary succession typically occur?
Only after an asteroid impact or volcanic eruption.
In areas where no life has ever existed before.
After a smaller disturbance, like a flood or fire, where soil remains.
When a new species is introduced to an established ecosystem.
What was the early 20th-century ecological view of community development?
Communities constantly change without a stable endpoint.
Communities evolve into a stable "climax community" with predictable species.
Communities are always in a state of primary succession.
Communities are primarily shaped by human intervention.
What concept describes the unpredictable variability in ecological succession, meaning we can't know exactly what a community will look like after a disturbance?
Climax community
Biodiversity
Stochasticity
Habitat mosaic
Why is the term "stable" often considered incorrect when describing an ecosystem in ecology?
Ecosystems are always in a state of decline.
Ecosystems are constantly undergoing disturbances and changes.
Ecosystems only change due to human activity.
Ecosystems are too complex to be stable.
What type of disturbance is hypothesized to have the greatest positive effect on biodiversity in an ecosystem?
Very small disturbances, like a single fallen tree.
Extremely severe disturbances, like a lava flow.
Moderate disturbances, not too big or too small.
No disturbances at all, allowing for complete stability.
What was a consequence of preventing intermediate disturbances like forest fires in public land management in the US?
Increased biodiversity and healthier ecosystems.
More predictable climax communities.
Catastrophic fires due to accumulated fuel.
Reduced need for ecological succession studies.
