Succession and Biodiveristy

What are some factors that limit the growth of a population? Availability of resources Food Predators Temperature Climate- winds and elevation Soil composition Fire Space Sunlight Availability of resources Food Predators Temperature Climate- winds and elevation Soil composition Fire Space Sunlight

Stop and Think: If grass were no longer cut on a lawn, what would it look like in one year? –5 years? –90 years? If grass were no longer cut on a lawn, what would it look like in one year? –5 years? –90 years?

If grass could grow… Grass would get taller, weeds would start to grow and it would resemble a meadow. Later, bushes grow, trees appear and different animals enter the area to live As trees grow and block the sunlight, the grass slowly disappears years later it is a forest Grass would get taller, weeds would start to grow and it would resemble a meadow. Later, bushes grow, trees appear and different animals enter the area to live As trees grow and block the sunlight, the grass slowly disappears years later it is a forest

Succession This orderly change in the environment that includes species replacement in a community is called succession Succession occurs in stages, with different plants and animals present at each stage Succession takes place over a long period of time This orderly change in the environment that includes species replacement in a community is called succession Succession occurs in stages, with different plants and animals present at each stage Succession takes place over a long period of time

Succession Two types of succession: –Primary Succession: colonization of barren land by communities of organisms Occurs on land where there are no living organisms (ex. When volcanoes erupt and lava spreads) –Secondary Succession: sequence of changes when an established community is severely disrupted Occurs on land that previously had life and nutrient soil (ex. After a fire) Two types of succession: –Primary Succession: colonization of barren land by communities of organisms Occurs on land where there are no living organisms (ex. When volcanoes erupt and lava spreads) –Secondary Succession: sequence of changes when an established community is severely disrupted Occurs on land that previously had life and nutrient soil (ex. After a fire)

Primary Succession The first species to move in are called pioneers Pioneers establish themselves and die creating nutrient soil When the soil gets rich enough, other species of plants move in With more and more plants comes more and more animals The first species to move in are called pioneers Pioneers establish themselves and die creating nutrient soil When the soil gets rich enough, other species of plants move in With more and more plants comes more and more animals

Primary Succession After some time succession slows down and the community becomes more stable –This is called a climax community After some time succession slows down and the community becomes more stable –This is called a climax community

Secondary Succession Changes that occur after an existing community is severly disrupted in some way Similar to Primary succession in that different species of plants and animals move into the area Because nutrient soil is already established, it takes less time to reach a climax community Changes that occur after an existing community is severly disrupted in some way Similar to Primary succession in that different species of plants and animals move into the area Because nutrient soil is already established, it takes less time to reach a climax community

With all of these new species of plants and animals moving in, we increase the communities biodiversity!

What is Biodiversity? Take a minute to think about what is biodiversity, share with a partner at your desk, then be ready to share your thoughts with the class…

Biodiversity Biodiversity: the variety of species in a specific area –The number of different species that live in a certain area Biodiversity is found everywhere! –But in what biome do you think the most biodiversity is found? Biodiversity: the variety of species in a specific area –The number of different species that live in a certain area Biodiversity is found everywhere! –But in what biome do you think the most biodiversity is found?

Why is Biodiversity Important? All living things depends on other living things –A loss of one species could have a devastating effect on other species Biodiversity makes an ecosystem stable Important to our survival –Gives us variety in what we eat –Helps us find cures and medicine for different illnesses All living things depends on other living things –A loss of one species could have a devastating effect on other species Biodiversity makes an ecosystem stable Important to our survival –Gives us variety in what we eat –Helps us find cures and medicine for different illnesses

Loss of Biodiversity Occurs when species become extinct (when the last member dies) Extinction is a natural process on Earth and has occurred many times on a mass level –Can you think of some examples? Occurs when species become extinct (when the last member dies) Extinction is a natural process on Earth and has occurred many times on a mass level –Can you think of some examples?

Loss of Biodiversity Although extinction is natural, humans have sped up the process by threatening the existence of many plants and animals What are some things that humans do that threatens biodiversity? Although extinction is natural, humans have sped up the process by threatening the existence of many plants and animals What are some things that humans do that threatens biodiversity?

Threats to Biodiversity Loss of Habitat –Completely taking away land Habitat fragmentation –Breaking land up into smaller pieces Habitat degradation –Damaging the habitat by water or land pollution Introduction of exotic species –Can crowd out or destroy native species Loss of Habitat –Completely taking away land Habitat fragmentation –Breaking land up into smaller pieces Habitat degradation –Damaging the habitat by water or land pollution Introduction of exotic species –Can crowd out or destroy native species