Ecological Succession Notes Noteworthy

What is succession? A number of persons or things following one another in order or sequence. Example: Succession of U.S. President. One president replacing another president. President Barack Obama replacing President George W. Bush

Ecological Succession The series of predictable changes that occur in a community (All the different organisms that live together in an area) over time. It is a slow and gradual process. Noteworthy

Think about ecological succession as… One community ( All the different organisms that live together in an area) replacing another community. Noteworthy

Example: Lichens (type of organisms) on rock is replaced by Grasses Shrubs Coniferous Trees Deciduous Trees replaced Noteworthy

Lichen on rock Grass Shrub Trees

Turn to your neighbor and teach what ecological succession is.

Watch short video clip on succession. A7F9- 790AF4946EE4&blnFromSearch=1&produ ctcode=UShttp://player.discoveryeducation.com/index.cfm?guidAssetId=857C8E78-485F-4DF0- A7F9- 790AF4946EE4&blnFromSearch=1&produ ctcode=US

Volunteers to Help Trees Shrubs Lichens Grasses

Pioneer species The first species to populate the area is called a pioneer species. Noteworthy

What is the pioneer species in this succession? Lichens (type of organisms) on rock is replaced by Grasses Shrubs Coniferous Trees Deciduous Trees replaced Noteworthy

Succession Primary Succession Secondary Succession Noteworthy

Primary Succession Begins in a place without any soil (no ecosystem) –New island formed from the eruption of volcano. –An area of rock uncovered by a melting sheet of ice Starts with the arrival of living things such as lichens that do not need soil to survive called PIONEER SPECIES Noteworthy 1 st, 4 th, 5 th, 6 th period stopped

Primary Succession Soil starts to form as lichens or other forces in nature, and the forces of weather and erosion help break down rocks into smaller pieces When lichens die, they decompose, adding small amounts of organic matter to the rock to make soil. Noteworthy

Primary Succession Simple plants like mosses and ferns can grow in the new soil n.edu Noteworthy 2 nd – 3 rd period stopped

Primary Succession The simple plants die, adding more organic material The soil layer thickens, and grasses, wildflowers, and other plants begin to take over

Primary Succession These plants die, and they add more nutrients to the soil Shrubs and trees can survive now

Primary Succession Insects, small birds, and mammals have begun to move in What was once bare rock now supports a variety of life

Summarize Primary Succession Bare rocksLichens grows Weathering / Decomposition Make soil Mosses and ferns grow Wildflower and Grass grow Shrubs grow Tall Trees grow Mammals and insects move in the area Noteworthy

Secondary Succession Begins in a place that already has soil and was once the home of living organisms Occurs faster and has different pioneer species than primary succession Example: After forest fires Noteworthy

Climax Community or Equilibrium A state of balance, when the numbers and species of organisms in it do not change suddenly. A stable group of plants and animals that is the end result of the succession process. Species are replaced until a stable ecosystem is established. Stable ecosystem will last for several years. Noteworthy

Review (united streaming) ACC0- 3B2AF58639B1&blnFromSearch=1&produ ctcode=UShttp://player.discoveryeducation.com/index.cfm?guidAssetId=3A A6A-49EE- ACC0- 3B2AF58639B1&blnFromSearch=1&produ ctcode=US

Primary Succession and Secondary succession Primary SuccessionBothSecondary Succession Changes occur where NO ecosystem existed previously Pioneer species are often lichens and mosses More slow than secondary succession From volcano or glacier retreat (melting ice) Changes in community over time Slow process Changes occur after a disturbance in existing ecosystem. Diverse pioneer species More rapid than primary succession From fires, hurricanes, and tornadoes Noteworthy