Ecological Succession and Marine Ecosystems

Do Now- Pair Share Activity Do you think changing an ecosystem due to forest fire, farming, volcano eruption etc.. Can be good, bad or both? Chose any of the events above to support your answer.

Ecological Succession Ecological Succession: A series of changes/disturbances that occur over time as ecosystems change is called ecological succession Examples of changes/disturbances that can cause ecological succession: Examples of ecological succession: Do ecological successions always result in the regeneration of the same species after a disturbance?

Primary Succession Primary Succession: Succession that occurs on surfaces where no soil exists is called primary succession. Examples of Primary Succession: Pioneer Species/Colonizers: The first species to populate the area is called a pioneer species. Example of pioneer species: why are pioneer species important for the regeneration of the ecosystem?

Inquiry Activity #1 Read the article: From Lava Flow to Forest and answer the following questions: Name 2-3 colonizers that begin to appear after a lava flow in the region of Hawaii. How do the above mentioned pioneer species/colonizers help in the establishment of an ecosystem? What is the role of abiotic factors such as wind and rain in colonization? Use a specific example from the article to support your answer.

Secondary Succession Secondary Succession: When new growth appears on previously vegetated areas. Examples of disturbances that cause secondary succession: Survivors: Are species of animals and plants that survive the disturbance. Example: Colonizers in a secondary succession: are species that are brought into the ecosystem by abiotic factors. Unlike primary succession colonizers in secondary succession are not the pioneer species.

Inquiry Activity #2 Please read article: Mount St. Helens- A story of Succession and answer the questions that follow the article.

Climax Community A climax community refers to a biological community of diverse, birds, animals and plants that have reached a steady state during the process of succession.

Primary Succession V Secondary Succession Compare and contrast primary succession and secondary succession using a Venn Diagram: