1. II. Succession and Biomes

2. Intermediate Stage: Seral
A. Ecological Succession: Predictable orderly replacement of communities in an ecosystem
Young Stage: Pioneer
Intermediate Stage: Seral
Mature Stage: Climax

3. Plant Succession

4. Succession Stages
Pioneer species- first organisms to inhabit an environment. Usually adapted to low nutrient needs. (Bacteria, algae, fungus, lichen and weeds)
These grow, thrive and die and add nutrients to the system
The addition of nutrients is called eutrophication
Seral community- intermediate community that alters the physical factors of the area in a way that makes it impossible for the community to regenerate itself
Climax community- relatively stable, almost permanent community that creates conditions in which its young can regenerate the community

5. B. Primary Vs. Secondary Succession
1. Primary succession: begins with bare rock exposed by geologic activity
Example: rock -> lichen -> moss -> grass -> shrub -> trees -> oak hickory forest
Pictures
2. Secondary succession: begins on soil from which previous community has been removed (by fire, agriculture, etc.)
Example: grass -> shrub -> trees -> oak hickory forest
secondary succession can proceed much faster because the soil has been prepared by the previous community

6. Earth’s Major Biomes

7. C. Terrestrial Biomes: Ecosystems that covers a large regions of earth
Tropical Rain Forest
Found in equatorial regions Warm all year round
Abundant Rainfall
Most diverse. 50% of all species on earth are found in tropical rain forests
Man’s use of slash and burn agriculture has endangered this biome

8. 2. Savanna
A savanna is a rolling grassland scattered with shrubs and isolated trees.
Savannas have warm temperature year round with a wet and dry season
Animals like lions, zebras, elephants, and giraffes graze and hunt.

9. 3. Deserts Land areas receiving less than 30 cm of rain a year.
Temperature vary greatly
Desert plant and animals have many adaptations that allow them to survive with very little rainfall

10. 4. Chaparral
Temperate costal biome dominated by dry evergreen shrubs which are adapted to survive brush fires
Mild rainy winters and dry hot summers
Many animals including deer, birds, rodents, snakes and lizards

11. 5. Grassland
Deep nutrient rich soil supports a wide variety of grass species. The size of the vegetation depends on the yearly rainfall
Winters are cold and this biome experiences seasonal droughts
Animals include worms, arthropods, rodents, coyotes, snakes, lizards, and large herbivores such as bison and pronghorns

12. 6. Deciduous Forest
Plentiful precipitation allows the growth of dense stands of deciduous trees such as oaks, beech, hickory and maples.
Winters are often very cold while summers are very hot
Many microorganisms inhabit the soil along with fungus and arthropods. Many mammal species including deer squirrels, chipmunks, foxes and bears

13. 7. Coniferous Forest: Taiga
Large cone bearing evergreen trees such as pine, spruce, fir and hemlock dominate this biome
Trees are adapted to long cold winters with a lot of snow
Animals include hares, moose, elk, wolves and bears

14. 8. Tundra
Bitter cold winters with high winds characterize the tundra. Because of the cold temperature, the subsoil is always frozen. This is called permafrost
The shallow soil only allows the growth of small plants such as mosses, lichen and grasses.
Mosquitoes, lemmings, caribou and reindeer are common animals

15. D. Aquatic Biomes Ponds and Lakes
Fresh water ecosystems where the water is not flowing. The zones of the water are divided by depth
The photic zone is at the top and because light is readily available, many phytoplankton live in this zone.
The deep murky areas of a lake that do not receive enough light to support photosythesis is called the aphotic zone.
The benthic zone consists of the rock, sand and sediment at the bottom of a lake or pond

16. 2. Streams and Rivers Flowing fresh water
Upstream, rivers are usually cold, low in nutrient and clear.
Down stream, rivers generally become wider and deeper with more phytoplankton
Communities vary greatly

17. 3. Estuaries
Areas where freshwater streams and rivers merge with oceans.
Nutrient rich soil is often deposited is estuaries and results in a very productive ecosystem
Important breeding ground for a variety of organisms including crabs, oysters, clams, fish and birds

18. 4. Ocean Zones
Intertidal zone is the shore area pounded by waves between high tide and low tide
Neritic Zone is the area from low tide out to the end of the continental shelf
Neritic zone
Oceanic Zone
Intertidal
Zone
Benthic Zone
c) Oceanic zone is the vast open ocean from the continental shelf outward