1. Bell Ringer
A biologists compares how different ecosystems undergo succession. She divides the series of events that happen during primary and secondary succession into three different stages. Which feature might be used to distinguish secondary succession from primary succession? A. the lack of pioneer species in the second stage B. the presence of pioneer species in the final stage C. the presence of trees and large plants in the final stage D. the presence of soil and organic matter in the first stage.

2. Changes in Ecosystems: Ecological Succession SC. 912. L. 17
Changes in Ecosystems: Ecological Succession SC.912.L Describe changes in ecosystems resulting from seasonal variations, climate change, and succession.

3. Interactive Journal Entry
Left Side
Right Side
Guided Notes (Note: when copying reduce size to 67% to fit in composition books; students can staple/tape it in landscape format)
Venn Diagram
Compare & Contrast
Primary and Secondary
Succession

4. What is Ecological Succession?
Natural, gradual changes in the types of species that live in an area
The gradual transition between biotic communities
Primary: no previous biotic community
Secondary: previously occupied by a community
Aquatic: transition from pond or lake to terrestrial community

5. Primary Succession Land Sides of volcanoes Landslides Flooding Water
Begins in a place without any soil:
Sides of volcanoes
Landslides
Flooding
First, lichens that do not need soil to survive grow on rocks
Next, mosses grow to hold newly made soil
Known as PIONEER SPECIES
Water
Begins when an area fills with water for the first time

6. Pioneer Species
Low, growing moss plants trap moisture and prevent soil erosion
Lichens break down rock to form soil.

7. Primary Succession
Soil starts to form as lichens 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

9. Primary Succession
Simple plants like mosses and ferns can grow in the new soil

10. Primary Succession
The simple plants die, adding more organic material (nutrients to the soil)
The soil layer thickens, and grasses, wildflowers, and other plants begin to take over

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

12. Primary Succession
Insects, small birds, and mammals have begun to move into the area
What was once bare rock, now supports a variety of life

13. 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
human development
landslides

16. Climax Community
A stable group of plants and animals that is the end result of the succession process
Does not always mean big trees
Grasses in prairies
Cacti in deserts

17. Aquatic Succession
Fresh water aquatic ecosystem develops into a terrestrial ecosystem
Sediment and detritus fills in pond or lake
Amount of water decrease
Meadow is often a transitional stage
Climax community  bog or forest

18. Bell Ringer – Try Again
A biologists compares how different ecosystems undergo succession. She divides the series of events that happen during primary and secondary succession into three different stages. Which feature might be used to distinguish secondary succession from primary succession? A. the lack of pioneer species in the second stage B. the presence of pioneer species in the final stage C. the presence of trees and large plants in the final stage D. the presence of soil and organic matter in the first stage. Why?

19. We Do – Compare & Contrast
Primary
Succession
Secondary
Both
No previously existing life.
Plants and Animals adapt.
Comes after a natural disaster.
Climax Community.
Starts as a result of a forest fire or flood.
Starts as the result of a volcano or receding glacier.
Previously existing life.
Pioneer Species.
Starts with previously existing soil.
Starts on bare rock.
Lichens break down rock.
Happens relatively slow.
Happens relatively fast.
Gradual growth.

20. Primary Succession Secondary
No previous life existing
Starts as a result of a volcano or receding glacier
Pioneer species
Starts on bare rock
Lichens break down rock
Happens relatively slow
Starts as a result of a forest fire or flood
Previously existing life
Starts with previously existing soil
Happens relatively fast
Plants and animals adapt
Comes after a natural disaster
Climax community
Gradual growth
Primary
Succession
Secondary
Both

21. “You DO” – Exit slip questions
The following questions can be projected when an instructor reaches the “You Do” or an instructor can use the handout.

22. Exit Slip – Question #1
1. Changes in an ecosystem over a long period of time are shown in the diagram below.
These changes will most likely lead to a:
stable ecosystem that can last for many years
loss of heterotrophs that cannot be recovered
long-term rise in environmental temperatures
forest consisting of only producers and decomposers

23. Exit Slip – Question #2
2. The diagram below shows how an area progresses over time after a forest fire.
What process is illustrated by the diagram in boxes 4-8 after the forest fire?
pioneer speciation
primary succession
secondary succession
ecosystem boundaries

24. Exit Slip – Question #3
3. After a volcano erupts and destroys an ecosystem, a few organisms are able to begin growing from the decaying organic matter left behind. What do we call those organisms that are able to grow in little or no soil that first appear?
adaptors
pioneer species
non-vascular plants
decomposers

25. Exit Slip – Question #4
As the process of ecological succession progresses with time, species diversity tends to
gradually decrease from colonization to climax community
be limited in early stages and increase over time
increase during intermediate stages, then rapidly decrease during the climax community stage
be highest in the colonization stages