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We will… ….be able to define ecological succession. …be able to recognize the different stages of lake succession.

Succession Introduction to Ecological Succession Introduction to Ecological Succession

I. Ecological Succession The transition in species seen in an ecosystem over time (the evolution of an ecosystem).

II. Lake Succession Ecology Text Lakes & Ponds

A.Oligotrophic (Trophic-nutrition or growth/productivity) 1.Low nutrients (“Oligo”-few/little) 2.Deep lake basin 3.Sandy or gravel bottom 4.Clean & clear (Deep blue)

Oligotrophic Lakes 5. Very little plant and animal life; less variety of fish 6. High oxygen levels 7. Cold water 8. Examples: Lake Superior and Torch Lake

9. Fish: Trout-Rainbow, Brown, Lake; Whitefish, Salmon bullcreekblog.blogspot.com

Torch Lake

TorchLake.com

Lake Superior

B. Mesotrophic Lakes (Middle aged lake) 1.More nutrients (“Meso” –some) 2.Shallower lake basin 3.Less clarity (Blue to blue-green) 4.More plant and animal life; scattered weed beds; ok fishing

Mesotrophic Lakes Cont. 5. Less oxygen 6. Cool water

Sleeping Bear Dunes

Mesotrophic Lakes Cont. 7.Example: Lake Michigan 8. Fish: Salmon, Trout, Northern Pike, Whitefish, Smelt, Muskellunge, Walleye kneedeepclub.org

This image was taken March 21, Lake Erie – late mesoptrophic; part eutrophic. This Oct. 9 th, 2011, image shows blue- toned sediment in Lake Michigan and Lake Huron and green-toned Algae in Lake Erie and Saginaw Bay.

C. Eutrophic Lakes (“Well-nourished”) 1.High nutrient level (“Eu”- well) 2. Shallower lake basin 3.Murky (Green to brown) 4.Lots of plants/animals; organic material on bottom; good fishing

Eutrophic Lakes Cont. 5. Low oxygen 6. Warm water 7.Examples: Mona Lake and Spring Lake

Mona Lake Algal Bloom

8. Fish: Sunfish, bass, crappie, carp, catfish, bullhead

Lake Succession is a continuous process.

Eutrophication Process & Humans People accelerate the eutrophication process by allowing nutrients from – agriculture lawn fertilizers streets septic systems urban storm drains.

D. Bog 1.Dead lake 2.Plant life has totally filled in the lake 3.Low oxygen 4.High Nutrients 5.What type of life?

Bogs in the Alaska Tundra MGBnet Bog in Northern Manitoba /uploads/2008/10/add7cfd39a 630f1f6ec1d78e067d1f12.jpg

Ducks Ducks.org

III. Forest Succession physicalgeography.net

A. Primary Succession- May require thousands of years 1. Begins in an area with NO life and where soil has not formed 2. Ex. After volcanic activity or after a glacier has passed through

3. Colonization order i. Lichens and mosses ii. Soil formation because of rock weathering and breakdown of organic matter into humus iii. Grasses and shrubs (brought by the wind) iv. Trees (brought by the wind, but requiring more time to grow) Lichens & soil formation

B. Secondary Succession Does not require as much time 1. Begins in an area where an existing community has been removed, but soil is still present and unaffected by clearing 2. Ex. After fire or clear-cutting More on types of succession

3. Colonization order i. Grasses ii. Herbs iii. Shrubs iv. Trees

Forest Succession omes/succession.png

IV. Succession Completion A.Occurs when climax community is mature B.Climax community = plants & animal remain stable; final stage of succession; remains relatively unchanged until destroyed by an event such as fire or human interference. C.Ex. The climax community of a desert would be cacti and other succulent plants

Kirtland’s Warbler Kirtland’s Warbler Conservation Status: Near threatened Kirtland’s Warbler More info DNR Birding.com

Ecology – succession –What type of succession? What would a climax community in our area be like? –The temperate deciduous forest biomeThe temperate deciduous forest biome –BiomesBiomes The life of a forest

Dune Succession