Download Succession

Succession
Name __________________________________________________
Succession is the term used to describe the series of changes in number and kinds
of organisms in a community over time.
Ecologists distinguish two types of succession:
Figure 1 Primary succession - succession in an area where organisms have never been present.
Complete, the first comment has been done for you
Pioneer stages;
Firstly you get …..
Plants tend to be fast growing
Intermediate stages (successional communities);
Shrubs and bushes become established
Immature oak/pine trees
Climax community;
Plants tend to be rather slow growing
Mature trees present
Secondary succession - succession occurring in an area where an existing
community has been severely destroyed by some disturbance, perhaps a forest fire a
clear cut forest or a plowed field.
Secondary succession is usually much quicker than primary succession for the
following reasons:
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There is already an existing seed bank of suitable plants in the soil.
Root systems undisturbed in the soil, stumps and other plant parts from
previously existing plants can rapidly regenerate.
The fertility and structure of the soil has also already been substantially
modified by previous organisms to make it more suitable for growth and
colonization
Draw a climax community for a pond below, and explain WHY it is a climax community (p51 for help).
Primary Succession
Complete please
Comparing and contrasting succession
BOTH
Secondary Succession